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The report
addresses issues relating to the universities and the Arizona Board of Regents’
efforts to manage enrollment at Arizona’s universities. First, we found that
Arizona’s universities and the Board of Regents need to develop enrollment forecasts
to predict future enrollment growth at the universities. Although several forecasts have
been developed in the past, they have tended to overestimate enrollment. Additionally, the
universities need to revise the existing plan used to manage future enrollment growth. The
plan identified several strategies for managing university growth, including expanding the
universities’ evening and weekend programs, distance learning programs, partnerships
with community colleges, and establishing two new branch campuses. While the universities
have experienced success enrolling students in most of the main campus alternatives, they
have had difficulties attracting students to the branch campuses. The universities should
revisit the current plan and make modifications as necessary. Additionally, the
universities and the Board of Regents should initiate a statewide master plan to help the
State meet future enrollment growth.
Further, more can be done to increase enrollment at ASU West, one of ASU’s branch
campuses. Although ASU West’s enrollment has increased, its growth has been slow and
limited. ASU and ASU West should consider options for attracting students, such as
expanding the number of programs offered, ensuring that course credits transfer between
programs at ASU and ASU West, and offering students incentives for enrolling there.
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