EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 10, 2009) -- The 2009-10 official enrollment data was released today by the Oregon University System. For the University of Oregon, total enrollment increased 4.1 percent to an all-time record of 22,386 for fall 2009. The fall 2008 total enrollment was 21,507.

Undergraduate enrollment increased 5 percent from 17,628 to 18,514. Total Oregon resident enrollment, including undergraduates and graduates, increased to 14,644 this fall compared to 13,881 in 2008.

The size of the incoming freshman class from high school, 3,765, was intentionally limited to maintain the quality of education and services for students after the unprecedented size of 4,205 freshmen in 2008. While the size of the freshman class is smaller, by design, than last year, the caliber of academic achievement is increasing. The 2009 freshman class is the most academically well-prepared class in UO history with a 3.54 grade point average.

"The University of Oregon is experiencing record enrollment in a time when access to a higher education couldn't be more important for individuals and our collective road to economic recovery," said James Bean, UO senior vice president and provost. "Our academic plan projections for manageable student growth, particularly with out-of-state and international students, are on track and will help us to fulfill our mission to the state of Oregon and its residents."

International students are choosing to enroll at UO in significant numbers. At the undergraduate level, international students increased by 23.2 percent from 827 to 1,019 students this fall. International enrollment at the graduate level showed a slight gain of 1.2 percent.

Among undergraduates, enrollment for students of color increased by 8.4 percent overall. Students who identified as Hispanic increased by 8.9 percent of undergraduates. Students of color at the graduate level increased by 4.2 percent. In total, students of color now make up 16.6 percent of the UO undergraduate population for fall 2009 compared to 16.1 percent for fall 2008.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

Link: Oregon University System enrollment data, http://www.ous.edu/news_and_information/news/111009.php

###