29 February 1996 First year numbers strong feature of 1996 enrolments

A rise in first year enrolments was great news for Lincoln University at the end of Semester 1 registrations.

The increase, about 10 percent, has lifted first year numbers to more than 900.

Overall, roll growth would have been more than 2 percent but for the end of a shared teaching arrangement with the University of Canterbury for the third year of the Bachelor of Forestry Science, a situation which cost Lincoln about 50 students or 30 EFTS.

Last year's roll total at the end of the Semester 1 registration period represented a 3.6 percent increase on the previous year.

Commenting on this year's enrolment situation, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Ross, described it as "fairly healthy".

Registrar Allan Sargison cautioned that unlike other universities Lincoln was quite dependent on its mid-year intake and input from continuing education programmes, so it would be some time before the University had a full analysis of where it stood.

"However, anecdotally we think we've done well," he said.

Given the Semester 1 figures, and taking into account the mid-year intake, Certificate in Wool entrants and the contribution of continuing education courses, a total enrolment of 4085 - 4100 is likely for 1996, says the Vice-Chancellor.

Pleasing features of this year's enrolments included –

• a substantial increase (about 50%) in first year enrolments in Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
• healthy rises in first year intakes in certain commerce specialisations, especially B.Com.(Ag) and B.Com.(Forestry)
• continued stronger than forecast enrolments in Bachelor of Social Science
• a rise in masters and Ph.D. enrolments

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.