Texas State enrollment on the rise

By Elysia Cowle

SAN MARCOS, TX- Enrollment at Texas State has had an overwhelming increase over the years. For the Fall 2014 Texas State hit a record of 36,700 making it the fourth-largest populated university in Texas.

"Our preliminary enrollment figure this fall topped 36,700 students and represents a roughly 3.5 percent increase from a year ago. If enrollment figures reported by the state's public universities are verified as submitted, Texas State would be the state's fourth-largest university, up one spot from last fall. That means only Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston will have larger enrollments than Texas State. Although our growth poses some space challenges, what's also telling is that Texas State has become a top destination among prospective college students." Said Denise M. Trauth, President of Texas State in an update.

Though Trauth sees this increase as beneficial since it means increase in grants for the school; students around campus have mixed feelings about the incease.

Silas Ott
By Ashley DeBolt

Silas Ott, a senior at Texas State, finds the increase difficult for students with the overcrowding and
the city as a whole is taking the repercussions.

"My classes are overcrowded, professors are overworked and there is a lot less time spent per student," said Silas. "...[T]he river is getting dirty, the water used we can't sustain in this town, and also the fact that the town is just growing more south, east and west and just pushing for suburban sprawl. Not even permanent housing just stuff for students. Doesn't even help the families in the area,"

Bianca Herrejon, a Sophmore, had similar views about the increased enrollment.

Jonathan Diamante
By Amber Weeks

 

"It really has affected me, because the halls are now more packed and it is hard to walk to class fast, and due to this, I am always running late. The cafeteria and the classrooms are now more packed and it is hard to find seats to sit in. They should also hire more professors so that there could be more classes at different times," said Bianca.

Jonathan Diamante, a freshman, isn't directly affected by the increase, but he does find problems with the capacity of the campus.

Josiah Reese
By Elysia Cowle

"The university needs to put more work into the campus such as additional buildings, housing and parking before they continue to grow," said Jonathan Diamante.

Senior Psychology major, Brittany Hill agrees.

"The city is not prepared for the increase. Economic wise, it's a great choice for the school, but it's such a small city, that it can't really handle much more." Said Brittany.


Not all students find the increase as a burden. Josiah Reese, a senior and member of the Environmental Service Committee welcomes the growth.

"...I hope it grows, because that means more people are coming and getting a higher education. So in that sense, yeah I think it should grow," said Josiah.

It's inevitable that Texas State, along with the city of San Marcos will continue to grow because the ever increasing enrollment. Though Texas State will receive more grants, they must find new ways to accommodate all of their students.