STUDENTS AND SERVICES UP FOR FALL SEMESTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2001

Fairbanks, Alaska - Student enrollment is expected to rise for the second year in a row since 1994 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks this fall. Although final figures will not be available until after Sept. 21, 2001 new admissions as of Aug. 25 are up more than eight percent from last year, including 190 University of Alaska Scholars–an increase of almost 26 percent from last year. The UA Scholars Program, begun by UA President Mark Hamilton in 1999, gives $11,000 scholarships to Alaskans who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. UAF will also host 16 National Merit Scholars, four more than last year.

Also on the rise at UAF is a commitment to improving student services across the board. Besides efforts to increase convenience through expanded online services, fee payment and financial aid processes have been streamlined, and parking fees on campus have dropped from $199 to $184 per year.

UAF is committed to helping students complete their degrees and get good jobs, particularly in Alaska. A survey by UAF's Department of Career Services found that 75 percent of 2000 UAF graduates were employed, while 31 percent were enrolled in graduate school or other higher education. Of those with jobs, 78 percent were employed in Alaska, 60 percent in Fairbanks.

Classes start Sept. 6, but students can register through Sept. 14, either on the Fairbanks campus or at the Tanana Valley Campus downtown. The fall class schedule and instructions for registration can be found on the web at www.uaf.edu/reg/schedule.

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Note to editors: More than 400 first year students participating in the EDGE program will be moving into Skarland and Moore residence halls Saturday, Sept. 1, at 9 a.m. The Edge, or Education, Development, Growth and Experience program, is in its third year at UAF. It's designed to help new students make the transition to college and matches students with staff, faculty and alumni who act as mentors.

CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Carla Browning, 907-474-7778, or by e-mail: carla.browning@uaf.edu.

TS/CJB/08-31-01/02-009