Elon’s 2007 Summer School enrollment rate has doubled from its 2000 numbers, with 1,270 students taking classes in Summer Session I and 606 in Summer Session II. The enrollment rates are up considerably from last year’s Summer Session I and II rates of 1,141 and 542, respectively.

Although enrollment in general increased steadily over the last decade, summer school enrollment has increased at a far greater rate than those of fall and spring semesters.

Mark Albertson, registrar and assistant to the provost, said that Elon’s summer enrollment numbers compare very well to those of other small, private Southern colleges, and that officials at many small liberal arts schools have actually cut their summer school programs completely.

Over the past seven years, Elon officials have made a strong effort to increase the number of summer school students.

The Registrar’s office ran full-page color ads in The Pendulum, set up posters in nearly every building on campus and even created a summer school mascot named Sammy the Squirrel who appeared on promotional mouse pads and drink cozies. Raising awareness for summer school through such advertising and publicity, Albertson said, has helped a great deal.

“That definitely has had an impact,” Albertson said. “There’s no question about it.”

Other changes have taken place, as well. The summer school course booklet was improved to look more appealing and marketable, and the variety of classes offered during the summer has also developed.

“I really think we’ve got some great courses,” Albertson said. “We’ve improved the quality and the number of choices of the summer school courses in the last seven years.”

The biggest growth in the summer school program has come online, with web-based courses clearly affecting enrollment statistics. Since 2000, the number of on-campus courses has remained the same, while the number of web-based courses has increased.

Online classes allow students who do not want to stay at Elon during the summer to complete coursework through Blackboard-based correspondence, which allows more students to participate in summer school than ever before.

Summer enrollment in Elon’s graduate programs show similar numbers. The M.Ed program has grown, while the DPT and MBA programs have remained steady for the last seven years.

Summer School provides an excellent timeframe for experiential learning. The number of students studying abroad and completing internships during the summer has also increased. In Summer Session I, 87 students completed communications internships, and in Summer Session II, 67 students completed communications internships.

Student motivation for attending summer school is changing, as well. Albertson said that in the past, most Summer School students were on academic probation or suspension and were forced to take summer classes so they could return for the Fall semester.

Today, few summer school students are on probation or suspension. Most summer school students, Albertson said, have chosen to take classes to get ahead.

Taking summer courses may allow students to reduce the stress of their senior year, giving them more time to complete applications for graduate school, search and interview for jobs, and study for challenging senior seminar classes. If a student completes enough extra credits, he/she may also be eligible to graduate an entire semester or year early, allowing that student to save money on tuition and get a jump on the job market.

Another incentive for attending summer school is the relaxed atmosphere on campus. Things are less hectic, Albertson said, classes are smaller and parking is easier.

“I think it’s really going to continue,” Albertson said about the increasing enrollment rates. “Our numbers are showing it.”

Reporter: Alyse Knorr - 08/24/07