The Rising Star of Texas has Rising Enrollment

By: Evelyn Burton

SAN MARCOS, TX – In the fall of 2014 Texas State in San Marcos jumped to the fourth largest university in Texas with an estimated enrollment of 36,700 students.

In recent years Texas State has adopted the nickname The Rising Star of Texas and for good reason. Enrollment is up roughly 3.5 percent from the fall 2013 semester. This recent surge has left many students with mixed feelings. Students around campus expressed differing opinions about the increase in enrollment at Texas State. 

Nicole Tremain
Photo By:Adham Elsaad

 Senior, psychology major Nicole Tremain showed her support for the change; she said, "I think it's a positive thing for the direction that the school's going especially since is it such a research based university."

Silas Ott, a student and campus employee, had more of a negative opinion on the matter; he said, "My classes are overcrowded, professors are overworked and there is a lot less time spent per student."

In an e-newsletter written at the beginning of the fall 2014 semester, Texas State’s President Denise Trauth said, “Texas State has become a top destination among prospective college students.”

When asked if they think the university should continue to grow, a couple of students had similar concerns about a lack of adequate resources to support the rapid growth.

"I think it should continue to grow, but they should add more buildings and bigger amenities. I think that they should also make it more challenging to be accepted into the school," said sophomore, Rishbh Dewan.

Jonathan Diamante
Photo By: Amber Weeks

Full time student Jonathan Diamante said the university should "not (grow) until they improve the infrastructure."

While many students had concerns about the physical accommodations Texas State has for a rapidly growing student body, one senior student had a different perspective on the ever increasing Bobcat population. Josiah Reese, member of the Environmental Service Committee said,

Josiah Reese
Photo By: 

 "It will (grow). I don't think it matters to me. 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."

Increased enrollment means more tuition is being paid to the university each year.  Malli Banitt, a sophomore and political science major, said that she feels that Texas State should continue to grow because of the increase in revenue it will bring.

 Along with the money brought by the enrollment increase, Texas State has seen a large cash flow from numerous grants.  President Trauth noted in her letter that Texas State has “experienced an influx of several significant grants.”  The largest grant ever received was awarded by NASA at the beginning of the fall 2014 semester totaling $15 million dollars.

It is safe to say that The Rising Star of Texas is continuing to rise.