What increased Texas State enrollment means for San Marcos

By Sarah Bey

With the rapid increase of Texas State enrollment, the student population is slowly taking over the city of San Marcos.

Thousands of students walk through the Quad daily. Photo by: Sarah Bey

In her press release, "From the Hill," Texas State President Denise M. Trauth said that the university topped 36,700 students last September. According to Trauth, Texas State is the fourth-largest university in the state of Texas and is growing even closer to becoming a National Research University. In September, several organizations generously donated a total of $10 million to the university in order to compensate for the increase in enrollment.

Many Texas State students like the overall growth of the university.  Freshman Leanne Halliburton said that it's always good to have a bigger alumni network and donor base.

"(Texas State has) that small town feel, but there's plenty to do with Austin and San Antonio nearby," Halliburton said.

While the rising enrollment rates ultimately benefit the university, San Marcos natives remain hesitant.  Junior and public relations student, Stephanie Dibert, said that her friends "absolutely hate that San Marcos is expanding due to the increase in population."

"They (San Marcos-natives) believe that San Marcos has turned into a city run by 20-year-olds," Dibert said.

In order to accommodate the rising enrollment rates, the city of San Marcos is building additional apartment complexes. Many students are concerned with the potentially harmful effects these developments will have on the city of San Marcos. Dibert said that the new apartment complex called the Woods will specifically increase San Marcos river pollution since it is built very close to the river.

Construction on North LBJ Drive Photo By: Sarah Bey

"While it (the school) grows, it can't be something that reactive; it's got to be proactive," 21-year-old Caleb Davis said.

Many students and faculty are also concerned with parking and traffic. Lubbock-native, Darbie Walker said that San Marcos plans to build an overpass the bypass the train tracks.

"I think we have our own little slice of heaven here except for all of the darn construction," Walker said.

Another concern students have is that the atmosphere on campus will become less intimate. Psychology major Elisa Alvarado said that she had passed on the opportunity to attend the University of Texas at Austin because she didn't want to be just another number and be lost in the mix.  Along with Alvarado, Dibert is also concerned that the classroom setting will not be as intimate with the increase in students.

While the increase in enrollment rates may cause detrimental effects to San Marcos, students and faculty remain positive on the issue.

Students Opinions on Increased Enrollment

By: Macie Vinson

Texas State has broken enrollment records this past fall and is projected to break records again next fall. Texas State is now named the fourth largest university in Texas, but how do current students feel about this?

According to University News Service press release, 36,790 students enrolled at Texas State in Fall 2014, breaking the enrollment record for the 17th year in a row. With enrollment increasing, diversity is also increasing, with minorities making up about 46 percent of the population.

Amy Bender, photo by Andrew Potter

Amy Bender, a junior, thinks that the increasing diversity of the students at Texas State will benefit the school. “This is a strength, and adds diversity for students, faculty, staff and the organizations that will come with a students of different back grounds and foster more understanding of different cultures."

The largest minority group we have at Texas State is Hispanic population, at 11,606 students.

Candace Jackson, photo by
Natalie Walther

Candace Jackson, a junior, has seen some problems that she would like to see resolved as a result of the growing population. "It made parking way too expensive. It made traffic in the small town of San Marcos way too unbearable." Even though she does see some issues with the rising population she would still like to see the school continue to grow, because she encourages people to come to college and she thinks that Texas State's image would be better.

Liz Fraire, photo by Katherine Coleman

 The growth has made classes larger and Liz Fraire, a fashion merchandising major, thinks that this makes the classes less personable and in turn less effective. However she is more comfortable in a larger group setting so she doesn't mind the big classes as much and she likes the atmosphere of Texas State.

Joshua Hinojosa, photo by Victoria Marin

Joshua Hinojosa, a junior, has found that due to increased enrollment sometimes getting the class you want can be a struggle. "Registering for classes, it has become more tedious to actually get the classes I need." He would like to see the university continue to grow, but he also thinks that there should be more classes so that everyone can get into the classes that they need.

Jenah Stephenson, photo by
Kiersten Ehr

Jenah Stephenson, a communication studies major, said that the size of the university influenced her decisions to come to Texas State.
"Texas State is the right size, it felt like I actually mattered here. I wasn’t just another number."

Josh Mitchell, photo by Kiersten Ehr

 Josh Mitchell, a senior at Texas State, thinks that growing enrollment is a good way for Texas State to stay competitive with other schools in the state. "I do believe the university should continue to grow to be competitive with other schools like UT and A&M they need to grow."

The general consensus is that there are problems when a university grows so fast, however growing is good for the school. 

Texas State students speak out as enrollment reaches new heights

By: Katie Coleman

With fall 2014 enrollment topping out at just over 36,700 students, Texas State's growth has hit a new record. Nabbing the spot for the state's fourth-largest university, the transition has bred varying support.

On the surface, an increased university enrollment means it has "become a top destination for prospective college students" according to a letter from University President Denise Trauth. Beneath that surface, however, are the students who are ultimately affected.

Talk to any average Texas State student and one would find a variety of ideals and viewpoints, especially given our most diverse student body to date and the "salad bowl" of cultural backgrounds that encompass the campus. In regards to the current enrollment increase specifically, students approached the subject with an assortment of opinions.

Amy Bender
Photo by Andrew Potter

Many students agreed with the higher attendance, each supporting the notion for different reasons. A larger student body would be "positive - more students will equal more diversity and national attention, and in term more students," junior Amy Bender said.

On the matter of educational success, Joshua Hinojosa, junior, felt the increase in attendance would benefit our university's academic standing as a whole.

"The university should continue to grow because it will become a more reputable education center," Hinojosa said.

Josh Mitchell
Photo by Kiersten Ehr

Similar to this opinion, Josh Mitchell, political science major, agreed the growth would allow the university to become more academically vying.

"I do believe the university should continue to grow to be competitive with other schools," Mitchell said. "If we continue to grow we continue to improve on those programs."

Others, including junior Candace Jackson, suggested different alternatives along with the increase, such as the means for a larger campus itself or even the hiring of more professors.

Candace Jackson
Photo by Natalie Walther

"I would like to get bigger,"Jackson said. "There are way too many kids for our campus, but I think they need to make our campus bigger."

Madison Graziadi
Photo by Savannah Ross

"Texas State University should continue to grow," sophomore Madison Graziadi agreed, "as long as the administrators and professors are able to accommodate the growth."

While support for this increase is prevalent, differing voices, such as that of psychology major Elisa Alvarado, expressed a less eager side at the other end of the spectrum.

Elisa Alvarado
Photo by Kimberly Witthaus

"I would prefer if it did not increase in growth," Alvarado said. "Classes wouldn't be as overwhelming and I would be able to find help easier and quicker."

Many students, like Caleb Davis, feel the same and attribute the growth to other daily issues, such as parking availability.

"I think the biggest thing has to do with parking. There’s never enough parking for anybody, anywhere on campus," Davis said. "With the increase, it’s just gotten that much harder."

Both sides have raised strong arguments for backing and for disapproval of the gaining of more potential students. Whether for or against the enrollment increase, campus numbers have expanded. President Trauth recognizes both the positive achievements and negative "space challenges" of the growth according to her update, all of which current students will surely watch intently as Texas State continues to grow.

Students Find Hardships, Blessings in Rising Enrollment

By Kimberly Witthaus

Texas State University has grown in numbers this fall. Student enrollment has increased by 3.5 percent resulting in over 36,700 bobcats.

According to “From the Hill,” an update by Texas State President Denise M. Trauth, Texas State has become the fourth largest school in Texas, behind Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston, and that the growth poses some space challenges but Texas State has become a top destination among prospective college students.

Junior Elisa Alvarado Photo provided by Elisa Alvarado

The university has begun taking the necessary steps to becoming a larger university in order to accommodate the rising number of students, such as increasing tuition, parking prices and housing. But like with all things that grow, growing pains are a reality. The students at Texas State are experiencing these pains first hand.

Junior Elisa Alvarado, noted the change in the tuition.

“Being a new transfer student, the increase in enrollment has yet to affect me,” Alvarado said. “However based on the tuition that was asked in 2008, when I graduated high school, it has significantly risen. I correlate this difference with the student population.”

Junior Joshua Hinojosa Photo by Victoria Marin

Construction and parking are also among student’s hopes for university to-dos.

“Don’t even get me started,” student Darby Walker said. “I hate everything about the parking. There just isn’t enough of it! They keep building new dorms and no parking garages! Hell I think they are building one on top of the old lot by the rec. That just makes no sense to me. Where do they expect everyone to park!?”

Junior Joshua Hinojosa said that he is concerned that the enormous amount of construction on campus may be necessary but could turn people away from enrolling at Texas State.

“If you have a prospective student visiting here and he sees all this construction on LBJ or the huge mess by Commons, I’m sure he’d see it as a problem,” Hinojosa said. “If it were me and I had seen all that before enrolling, I’d be turned off by that and not want to be at a university that is “incomplete.”

Despite all the construction and changes, some students have found a bright side. Senior Josh Mitchell said he believes the university should grow in order to stay competitive.

"We have one of the best geography programs in the state, one of the best business programs in the

Sophomore Jenah Stephenson Photo by Kiersten Ehr

state, we have a lot of good programs here at Texas State, and we have a really good theater department at Texas State," Mitchell said. "If we continue to grow we continue to improve on those programs."

Sophomore Jenah Stephenson said that the growth had made her more proud of Texas State.

"It shows we are a really good institution, more people want to come here each year," Stephenson said. "I think San Marcos will keep it humble instead of being like UT because it is a big city. I like the fact that the school was a small school, and I love watching it expand."

Texas State has 4th Largest Student Enrollment in Texas

Texas State University in San Marcos has a campus that is continuing to increase it's student body enrollment.

In ranking, Texas State has the fourth largest enrollment in the state. The increasing population on campus has attracted attention from students.

A public letter from Texas State’s President Dr. Denise M. Trauth said, “Our preliminary enrollment figure this fall topped 36,700 students and represents a roughly 3.5 percent increase from a year ago.”

Sophomore from Houston, Texas, Madison Graziadi said the increased enrollment, “has not affected me. But I have noticed a few things like increased construction on campus, larger classes, and just generally a larger amount of people on campus”.

Madison Graziadi
Photo by: Savannah Ross

With the growth, the university is needed to support it. Construction and expansion is a common sight in San Marcos. In order to support this growth, there must be financial support.

The letter also said, “The university received its largest grant ever -- $15 million -- from NASA.” This helps the university significantly. Additional to NASA, Texas state has also received over $5 million in grants from U.S. departments of Health and Human Services, Education and the Justices of Peace and Constables Association of Texas.

Another grant was received by the U.S department of Education. The university was recognized as an official Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Texas State's websites said, "These HSI grants also allow schools to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability."

Questions of doubt have come from students who committed to Texas State as freshman because of the size. Graziadi said, “the size of the university definitely influenced my decision to come here.”

Elissa Alvarado
Photo by: Kimberly Wutthaus

 “I had the opportunity to attended UT but I passed on enrollment because I was afraid I would be just another "number" and be lost in the mix.” said Psychology Major, Elisa Alvarado.

The question of students loosing attention is brought forward as an upcoming problem. Graziadi said, “Texas State University should continue to grow as long as the administrators and professors are able to accommodate the growth and are still able to adequately meet student’s needs.”

Another student need that has not been addressed is parking. The construction is consistent but the additional parking is not. Caleb Davis, 21 said “I think the biggest thing has to do with parking. There’s always, you know, never enough parking for anybody, anywhere on campus. Over the years that I’ve been here, with the increase, it’s just gotten that much harder”.

However, communication major Jenah Stephenson feels differently. She said, "It’s made me more proud of my school. It shows we are a really good institution, more people want to come here each year. I think San Marcos will keep it humble instead of being like UT because it is a big city. I like the fact that the school is a small school, and I love watching it expand."

Sarah Rule
Photo by: Madison Moreno

However, the growing student body also gives attendants a chance to socialize and meet more of their peers. "As crazy as it is sometimes, it's fun to see all the different groups this school has to offer. and I always run into friends which is fun too!" said Sarah Rule, a freshman from San Antonio.

Texas State, a rising destination for prospective students

By: Victoria Marin

With an enrollment of 36,790 for the 2014 fall semester, Texas State has set a record-high for the 17th consecutive year.

A 3.5 percent increase of student enrollment from last year has made Texas State the fourth-largest university in the state, according to a press release from Denise M. Trauth, president of Texas State.

Jenah Stephenson Photo by: Kiersten Ehr

Texas State has become a top destination for prospective students and has announced the most diverse student body in the school’s history, according to a University News Service press release, thus turning the university into a “melting pot” of students with minorities making up 46 percent of the student body.

"Texas State is the right size; it feels like I actually matter here," said
Jenah Stephenson, a communications studies major whose decision to attend Texas State was affected by the size.

Hispanic enrollment increased approximately 9 percent and African-American enrollment increased more than 19 percent.

“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 Trauth.

Candace Jackson Photo by: Natalie Walther

Joshua Hinojosa

As Trauth said, the growth poses some challenges; students on campus have voiced some of these challenges, which pertain to registration, traffic and limitation of resources.

“When it comes time for registration, not only do you have to wait behind all these people to wait for a class, there is a very high change you won’t even get into the class because of the amount of people who are trying to take it as well,” said junior Joshua Hinojosa.

The growth has limited student resources, such as the campus REC, disabling students from taking advantage of these resources, according to junior Candace Jackson.

Stephanie Dibert Photo by: Sarah Bey

Josh Mitchell Photo by: Kiersten Ehr

Despite these concerns, students still believe the university should continue to grow. 

Growth in a city also means more business in the future, according to junior Stephanie Dibert. 

"We have one of the best geography programs in the state, one of the best business programs in the state, we have a lot of good programs here," said senior Josh Mitchell. "If we continue to grow, we continue to improve on those programs."

Leanne Halliburton Photo by: Roy Zorola

Growth also means more people to interact with. 

"It’s always good to have a bigger alumni network and donor base and just generally grow the community," said education major, Leanne Halliburton.

With a rapid growth of applicants, Texas State is expected to continue expanding.

Students reflect on campus growth

By: Kiersten Ehr

The rising star legacy at Texas State University has surpassed expectations with student enrollment sky rocking in San Marcos. 

Student enrollment in the fall of 2014 ranked at 36,790. This is the 17th consecutive year Texas State has set a new record for total enrollment. Texas State is proud to set diversity as a priority in the campus life with 46% of minorities. 

The Texas State website Enrollment Management and Marketing shows the campus student population diversity shows the percentage of the following ethnic background to name a few, 18,983 White, 11,606 Hispanic/Latino, 3,372 African Americans, 819 Asian and 722 multiracial. 

Jenah Stephenson

According to a Texas State Press release, Texas State University President Denise Trauth, released a statement following the campuses growth, "we take our role seriously in preparing our state's future leader and workforce, and this steady growth tells us that students and their parents feel the same way." 

With the enrollment growth at Texas State, sophomore, Jenah Stephenson majoring in Communication Studies, thinks that the campus should continue to grow allowing students from in and out of Texas better opportunities at Texas State.

“It’s made me more proud of my school. It shows we are a really good institution. More people want to come here each year. I think San Marcos will keep it humble instead of being like UT because it is a big city. I like the fact that the school was a small school, and I love watching it expand,” said Stephenson. 

With the massive growth on the Texas State campus, construction and parking has created issues for students commuting on a daily basis. Students comment on how the effects impact their daily school routine. 

“It made parking way too expensive. It made traffic in the small town of San Marcos way too unbearable. It made resources at the school limited, like the rec, you can’t go at certain times because there will be no machines,” said junior Candice Jackson. "Up side, San Marcos is growing massively. The income is exceeding the demand."

The rapid growth has created new walking routes in front of Commons Dining Hall and has increased traffic flow around LBJ ultimately creating an effect on students. 

“I’d say the enormous amount of construction on campus, though I know it’s all apart of the growing population. If it were me and I had seen all that before enrolling, I’d be turned off by that and not want to be at a university that is incomplete,” said Joshua Hinojosa, a junior international relations major. 

Students point on the parallelism for more construction will compensate for the rapid increase of enrollment, but overall the construction will be good for the university and for the future of Texas State.

 Josh Mitchell

"I think the expansion of the campus and beautification of the campus that is happening right now will generally attack more students, but I think the university is beginning to forget is that a lot of people that are here now came here because it felt small," said Josh Mitchell, a senior on the Student Government Academic Affairs Chair Committee.  

Some students feel the enrollment increase will help for academic and athletic national recommendation and will promote the awareness for diversity. 

“This is a strength, and adds diversity for students, faculty, staff and the organizations that will come with a students of different back grounds and foster more understanding of different cultures,” junior Amy Bender said.   
 "Our growth is a positive reflection on all aspects of campus life.