Silver City, NM – In analyzing this fall's census data, Western New Mexico University found that the 10 percent drop in enrollment this year was largely due to the decrease in dual enrollment students. In examining the causes, WNMU found a correlation between the decline and the loss in qualified instructors, due to the Higher Learning Commission's new accreditation requirements.

Dual enrollment accounts for nearly eighty percent of WNMU's drop in overall enrollment.

"We're down 324 undergraduate students. Of those, 247 are dual enrolled," WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard said.

Some WNMU faculty members who facilitated the 100-level courses taken by dual enrollment students no longer met the Higher Learning Commission's Qualified Faculty Requirements.

"We had to change how we vet the instructors for the program. A handful of them did not have the current qualifications to teach the courses for college credit," Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Isaac Brundage said.

As a result, WNMU was unable to offer three sections of Computer Literacy 111, and one section of Social Work 101, totaling four classes.

"There were also several courses for which fall registration was delayed due to the new vetting process, but students are now enrolled in these classes. We are working with the schools now to ensure timely vetting and course creation," said Mary Billings, Director of the Center for Student Success.

Students who take college courses while they are still in high school do so through WNMU's dual enrollment program, which aims to increase the educational opportunities for area high schoolers at little or no cost to the students or their families.

The decrease in dual enrollment does not significantly impact the university's revenues. WNMU does not charge dual enrollment students tuition, and also waives registration and technology fees. Students are responsible only for a $30 online fee (normally $90 per course) and any fees specific to their classes.

"The amount of money the university receives for dual enrolled students is less than the cost to provide those courses," President Shepard said.

Through dual enrollment, students can get ahead on general education courses required at state institutions and also get experience in a university setting.

"Dual enrollment students tend to have higher graduation rates, because they're already familiar with the college life. Dual enrollment students often become regular students when they decide to go to college. These students are important," Brundage said. "Once we have these processes and more qualified instructors back in place, we'll be able to increase our dual enrollment population on campus."

This month, WNMU is reviewing a new dual enrollment policy and procedure manual with participating high schools. "We anticipate increased enrollment for spring," Billings said.

Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.