WSU moves to address enrollment decline

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita State University is working to address a decline in enrollment.

In a message sent out to staff last week, the university says it is already seeing a decline in enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester. The university says if that decline continues, budget cuts will have to be made.

WSU says they are already seeing a roughly $2 million shortfall in the current fiscal year budget due to declines in graduate students. In the letter to staff, they outlined the following plan to address enrollment decline:

Dr. Ashlie Jack, senior associate vice president for institutional effectiveness and Strategic Enrollment Management, is tasked to coordinate this effort and will be working across campus with the appropriate enrollment offices to ensure all enrollment decisions are appropriately made for the benefit of the university.

Every dean has set enrollment goals for each degree program. The expectation is that each college will start meeting these goals in Fall 2024. Every college is expected to identify programs where strategic growth is attainable and take measures to increase enrollment in those areas. If progress is not being made, further interventions will be implemented.

The SEM leaders, graduate coordinators and deans are reporting weekly progress and meeting weekly to review data and action plans.

The GRE admission requirement has been waived for graduate admissions. 

We have implemented a continuous review of graduate applications (no longer than a seven-day decision timeline) to ensure timely decisions on admission. 

We have purchased 4,600 graduate student names through the GRE of students who meet admission criteria to whom we will be sending marketing materials. 

We have made our Intensive English Program tuition more competitive and have created a pathway for students to concurrently enroll in graduate coursework.

The letter also encouraged staff outside of the Graduate, Admissions, and International offices to help by letting others know about opportunities at Wichita State:

Be an enthusiastic ambassador for Wichita State and the opportunities we offer. Share success stories of the university, our students, faculty and staff.

If you have connections in countries where our international students are likely to come from, let Vince Altum in the International Education Office know so he can connect you to prospective students.

Champion your program by leveraging the power of social media, engaging in professional events, fostering connections through correspondences, and seizing networking opportunities. Share compelling narratives about the myriad benefits and opportunities your program offers.

Connect potential students with people who can answer their questions. If you come across someone curious about Wichita State, guide them to explore more at wichita.edu/admissions, wichita.edu/graduateschool or wichita.edu/international to get them in touch with someone who can answer their questions.