Student Enrollment Stagnant at Utah Universities

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Student enrollment numbers are stagnant at Utah's universities and colleges, according fall registration figures.

"The economy is very good right now - especially in Utah with a very low unemployment rate," says Utah System of Higher Education spokesperson Amanda Covington. "High school graduates and forego college because they see an immediate satisfaction with the job they have. The don't realize that they may have to find another job some day or that they lack the skills to be promoted."

Covington acknowledges the flat enrollment may cause extra resistance from state lawmakers responsible for funding higher ed. At least one legislator is working on a plan to fund universities and colleges per student. He says that will reward schools that make an effort to boost their enrollment.

Covington says most state universities and colleges are actively working to reverse the enrollment decline by offering flexible programs and weekend courses, as well as recruiting more aggressively.

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