Home Opinion Editorials Numbers show EOU is on a roll

Numbers show EOU is on a roll

Written by Observer editorial reports September 16, 2009 03:48 pm

Things continue to look up for Eastern Oregon University, which is good news for the university and the community.

After a summer session that saw a 13.5 percent increase in enrollment, the numbers for fall are looking just as promising. Applications are up, admissions are up and retention is up.

The university’s efforts to increase enrollment as well as concentrate on getting students to continue their education from one year to the next at EOU are paying off big time.
The university has seen a huge jump in the number of applications for fall. As of a couple of weeks ago, the university had 321 freshmen registered for fall term, an increase of 84 students.

And retention is taking a jump too. At this point, EOU is looking at a 70 percent retention rate, up from 54 percent.

All of the dorm rooms are filled and the university had to reopen Hunt Hall as a residence hall to accommodate the need for student housing. It’s the kind of problem new EOU President Bob Davies doesn’t mind
having.

Davies is excited about the numbers he’s seeing. He recognizes that the current economy is convincing more people to go to college, but he also believes, and rightly so, that the extra efforts being put forth at EOU in terms of admissions and retention are paying
dividends.

Too, Davies has made it a point to be visible on campus and in the community. Hardly a community event goes by that Davies is not participating in. He does regular walk-abouts on campus and looks forward the students’ return later this month.

EOU is on the right course and Davies is committed to keeping it that way. It’s good to see good things happening at EOU. It’s one of the cornerstones of our community. We all have a vested interest in its success.