{"id":6329,"date":"2017-08-15T15:38:10","date_gmt":"2017-08-15T20:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/news\/?p=6329"},"modified":"2017-08-15T15:38:23","modified_gmt":"2017-08-15T20:38:23","slug":"sau-board-hears-updates-fall-enrollment-residence-halls-sau-square","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/news\/2017\/sau-board-hears-updates-fall-enrollment-residence-halls-sau-square\/","title":{"rendered":"SAU Board hears updates on fall enrollment, residence halls, SAU on the Square"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Dr. Trey Berry, president of Southern Arkansas University, told the SAU System Board of Trustees that enrollment of freshmen could again reach record numbers this fall, during the Board\u2019s regular meeting Friday, Aug. 11, at SAU.<\/p>\n

Berry said \u201cthe trajectory is right for record freshman enrollment. The signs are very positive. Signs also point to a very good undergraduate enrollment. We\u2019ll have better figures after enrollment happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new freshmen are coming from 40 states and 19 nations. SAU\u2019s fall 2016 enrollment was 4,771. About 1,900 students will live on campus this fall. Move-In Day at SAU will be Aug. 20 and classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 23.<\/p>\n

Berry said enrollment is about more than numbers. \u201cIt is also about quality. These numbers represent wonderful people.\u201d He said SAU will welcome its first student from Guam this year. \u201cShe found us online \u2013 she is a first-generation college student, and she found us,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n

He pointed out the University will also receive five Arkansas Distinguished Governors Scholars in its freshman class this year. The honor requires an ACT score of 32 or higher. The University is also seeing \u201cbetter signs of enrollment\u201d of students from Columbia County. \u201cWe have done very well recruiting in this area,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that University residence halls will be full, for the most part. Two new residence halls will open this fall. They are the 85-bed West Hall for freshmen, located next to the new Magnolia and Columbia halls on the north side of the campus, and the 55-bed Rudy and Sharon Eichenberger Hall for engineering students in the former Mule Barn building on West University Street.<\/p>\n

He said $2 million was spent to add 210 seats to the cafeteria inside the Reynolds Center, an addition to which will be a Mongolian stir-fry grill.<\/p>\n

Berry praised interest and participation in this summer\u2019s Mulerider Kids College and in the first-ever Mulerider Teen College. The Mulerider Kids College, which provides a week-long learning experience for elementary students on campus, saw 417 students in morning and afternoon sessions. Magnolia Public Schools provided 110 scholarships this year along with transportation from Waldo and McNeil. Seventy-five students participated in the Teen College. \u201cHaving all these students on campus this summer gave us great energy,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n

Berry also:<\/p>\n