News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 6/28/05   SOUTHEASTERN SUMMER ENROLLMENT SHOWS INCREASE        HAMMOND – Enrollment is up this summer at Southeastern Louisiana University, especially in the “beginning freshmen” category.        The official enrollment profile, released after the seventh class day, shows that of the 5,599 students taking classes this summer, 330 are new freshmen, an 88.6 percent increase over last summer’s freshmen numbers.         University administrators said one reason for the jump in new freshmen is the number of recent high school graduates who are taking advantage of the opportunity to address deficiencies in mathematics or English before the fall 2005 implementation of statewide admission standards.         However, Stephen Soutullo, dean of Enrollment Management, said the summer headcount also includes a significant number of students -- 61-- with 24 or higher ACT composite scores. This group includes 33 new freshmen and 28 high school student, twice as many as last summer. They are taking summer classes through the “Southeastern Scholars” program, Southeastern’s unique early admissions scholarship program for qualified high school students and recent high school graduates.         “I wanted to get a jump start on my classes, and the Scholars program was a good way to do it, since the scholarship pays for most of it,” said Jane Frances Rownd, a May 2005 Hammond High School graduate who will be a freshman music major at Southeastern this fall. Rownd, who has an ACT composite score of 30 and tested out of a freshman mathematics course, is taking a math statistics class and a sociology elective this summer. The Southeastern Scholars program covers her tuition for six hours of coursework.         “I will already have nine hours out of the way when I start this fall,” she said.         “Southeastern has made the recruitment of highly-qualified students who are prepared for the academic challenges of college a top priority,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Crain. “Special programs such as Southeastern Scholars and other learning opportunities and scholarships are helping to make Southeastern a highly attractive institution for these students.”        Tangipahoa Parish continues to be one of Southeastern’s top feeder parishes, with a total of 1,446 students. The other top parishes sending students to Southeastern include St. Tammany, 1,180; East Baton Rouge, 732; Livingston, 575; Washington, 253; and Jefferson, 245.        The summer enrollment profile shows that freshmen enrollment totals 961, while there are 790 sophomores, 935 juniors, 1,830 seniors and 1,083, graduate students. A total of 3,878 students are female and 1,658 are male.         Prospective students have until July 15 to apply for Southeastern’s fall 2005 semester without paying a $50 late fee, Soutullo said. After July 15, a $50 late fee will be added to the $20 application fee. No applications will be accepted after August 15.        Students can apply for admission online at www.selu.edu (“Prospective Students” link); by mail, SLU 10752, Hammond, LA 70402; or in person at the Admissions Office, North Campus Main Building.