Approximately 91% of freshman enrolled at SIU in the fall came back to school in the spring, according to a release by the university.

“This is the highest fall-to-spring-retention rate for new students in at least 10 years and reflects an increase of 5 percentage points in just four years,” interim chancellor John Dunn said in the release.

The release said the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs told trustees that fall 2020 applications for freshmen were up 20%.

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There were 11,695 students enrolled in fall 2019 and the total enrollment for spring semester is 10,779.

The spring 2020 enrollment numbers show an 8.61% decrease from the spring 2019 numbers, according to the release. 

“More than 1,100 students graduated in December, largely accounting for the difference between fall and spring,” the release said. 

(See more: A smaller dip in enrollment could show SIU is heading in the right direction)

“From additional outreach to new strategies to the increased engagement of our faculty and staff, we are making a difference,” Dunn said. “I have often said that recruitment and retention is everyone’s responsibility, and I thank you for taking that responsibility seriously.”

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