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PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University officials expect continued strong enrollment university-wide as WSU begins its fall semester today.

“We are pleased that, despite these uncertain financial times, the programs we offer continue to be an outstanding draw for students. Cougar Pride is something that is very real to all of us here at WSU, and it is always exciting to welcome the new group of students to our community,” said President Elson S. Floyd.

On the Pullman campus, administrators are expecting around 3,350 new freshmen, which would be the second largest incoming class in campus history. Last year’s group of new freshmen set the record at 3,411. Official enrollment figures will be available following the 10th day of classes for the semester.

John Fraire, vice president for enrollment management, said the incoming class looks to be the most diverse that the university has ever welcomed.

“We have made a concentrated effort to reach out to more underserved areas and students and let them know about WSU’s programs and the importance of higher education. They represent the fastest growing part of the state’s population, so it is particularly important to encourage them to pursue a college degree,” Fraire said.

About 230 students on the Pullman campus have moved into Olympia Avenue Student Housing, the first new residence hall built on the campus since 1971. The university has also opened a new research facility, the $72.6 million Biotechnology Life Sciences building, located across Stadium Way from Martin Stadium.

WSU officials are expecting, and preparing for, growth on the university’s campuses around the state as well.

Last week, the Washington State University Vancouver campus celebrated two events – a groundbreaking for the campus’s $43.5 million Applied Technology Classroom building and the grand opening of a new $28 million Undergraduate Classroom building.

At WSU Spokane, this will be the first fall semester for the $34 million Nursing Building, which was dedicated last May and brings the center of that growing statewide program onto the downtown Riverpoint campus.

WSU Tri-Cities is expecting its biggest class ever with a 14 percent growth in new students. This includes more than 100 enrolled in the campus’s third freshman class; 25 percent of the new students are minorities, 19 percent Latino.

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