UH system enrollment show modest decline this semester

Manoa, Hilo and West Oahu see enrollment increase; community colleges' enrollment decreases

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Carolyn Tanaka, (808) 956-9803
Mia Noguchi, (808) 956-9095
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Sep 13, 2005

HONOLULU — Preliminary figures released today show that the University of Hawai‘i system enrolled 50,309 students for the fall semester, representing a leveling off after five years of steady increases.

The numbers show a modest decline of 493 students, or a 1 percent drop in enrollment compared to the fall 2004 total enrollment of 50,802. UH‘s four-year campuses experienced slight increases over last year, while enrollment at the two-year campuses experienced modest decreases when compared to 2004. In addition, there are 25,000 registrations in non-credit programs throughout the UH system, bringing total enrollment to more than 75,000.

"Flat enrollment, particularly at the community colleges, is reflective of a strong economy, in which individuals have options on whether to accept job offers or further their education.

"While no one likes to see a decrease in enrollment, no matter how slight, increases in enrollment have not been matched with corresponding increases in State funding for our instructional budget," said UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy, Linda Johnsrud.

"For example, since fall 2000, enrollment on our flagship campus at Mānoa has jumped by more than 18 percent, representing a sizeable increase in related costs. Many of our campuses, including Mānoa, are fast approaching capacity in terms of current resources. This is a concern given the state‘s workforce needs and the university‘s commitment to access.

UH Mānoa‘s enrollment rose from 20,463 to 20,619 students, a 0.8 percent increase over 2004, while UH Hilo‘s fall enrollment increased from 3,365 to 3,431 students, a gain of 2 percent. At the UH West O‘ahu campus, fall enrollment increased from 847 to 869, a jump of 2.6 percent compared to a year ago.

Cumulatively, fall enrollment for the University of Hawai‘i‘s community colleges dropped slightly from 26,127 to 25,390, a decrease of 2.8 percent compared to a year ago. All seven community college campuses reported decreases ranging from 0.4 — 4.5 percent.

Enrollment on the Hawai‘i CC campus totaled 2,370, down from 2,414, a 1.8 percent decrease; Honolulu CC registered 4,160 students, down from 4,358, a 4.5 percent drop; Kapi‘olani CC totaled 7,307, down from 7,337, a 0.4 percent decrease; Kaua‘i CC recorded 1,060 students, down from 1,100, a 3.6 percent drop; Leeward CC registered 5,879 students, down from 6,141, a 4.3 percent decrease; Maui CC totaled 2,882 students, down from 2,998, a 3.9 percent drop; and Windward CC registered 1,732 students, down from 1,779, a 2.6 percent decrease.

About the University of Hawaiʻi

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi is the state‘s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 50,000 students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu.