'U' predicts decline in minority numbers

Report of minority enrollment to be released as soon as tomorrow

After delaying the release of its comprehensive enrollment report for more than a month, the University could release the report sometime this week.

University spokesperson Julie Peterson said the report could be released perhaps as early as tomorrow.

Peterson said the delay can be tied to problems processing additional data for the report.

"We've tried to incorporate some new data," Peterson said.

Preliminary enrollment information released in June indicates that the number of minorities applying to the University dropped from 1998 to 1999.

Since the initial report is based on applications processed before May 17, the final numbers could change.

Peterson could not say whether the final numbers are reflective of the initial report.

If the preliminary numbers hold true, minority enrollment has been decreasing since 1995.

In 1995, underrepresented minorities comprised 15 percent of the student body while in 1997 and 1998, underrepresented minorities made up 13 percent of the student population.

The University defines black, Native American and Latino/a students as underrepresented minorities.

According to the preliminary report, the University received 21,011 applications from prospective students hoping to enter the current first-year class.

Out of that number, 2,260 applicants were underrepresented minorities.

From the total applicant pool, the University admitted 13,351 students into the current first-year class, with 1,520 underrepresented minority prospective students.

As of May 17, 5,841 paid deposits were sent to the University by students planning to enroll in the current first-year class.

The University uses the number of paid deposits as an indication to class size.

From that number, 662 students were from underrepresented minorities, less than 12 percent.

For the final report, which will include additional information on the entire student body, Peterson said the University analyzed the demographics of the student body three weeks into the fall semester.

11-30-99