KU Edwards Campus sees growth in credit-hour production

OVERLAND PARK -- The University of Kansas Edwards Campus continues to see a steady growth in credit hour production indicated by 20th day fall enrollment figures reported today by the Kansas Board of Regents.

"The campus exceeded last fall's enrollment in credit hours by 2.5 percent," said Bob Clark, vice chancellor of the Edwards Campus. "And, we have experienced six consecutive years of record-breaking growth since 1997."

"With this steady increase, the opening of our new classroom building, Regnier Hall, in fall 2004 could not come at a better time," said Clark.

The undergraduate programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the Edwards Campus showed the greatest increase in credit hours this fall, yielding a 115 percent growth. This increase is attributed to molecular biosciences with a 235 percent increase and literature, language and writing with a 53 percent increase.

"Our undergraduate growth is a reflection of the interest in our region for quality public higher education at the degree completion level," said Clark.

Graduate programs on the Edwards Campus that experienced increases in credit hours for this fall include teaching and leadership with 16 percent increase, civil engineering with a 27 percent increase and public administration and social welfare each had a 13 percent increase.

Tailoring courses for working adults, the Edwards Campus currently offers 25 graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs. Enrollment has grown from several hundred students in the late 1970s in the original facility at 99th and Mission Rd., to 2,100 students per semester on the Edwards Campus, which opened at 126th and Quivira in 1993. This year the campus is marking its 10th anniversary with special activities throughout the year. Construction is currently under way on a second classroom building, the Victor and Helen Regnier Hall.