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As reported two weeks ago, SUNY Fredonia has received a record number of applications by prospective freshmen. To date, 6,614 applications have been received, more than 125 submissions, or two percent, higher than the record set just one year ago. The university has also exceeded its deposit target of 1,100 freshmen, a number which will grow somewhat through June 5.

“We’re full,” said SUNY Fredonia President Dennis Hefner, “and it is with mixed emotions that we make this decision, which comes more than two months before last year’s cut-off date, which at the time was also a record. 

“We’re delighted, of course, to welcome our largest and strongest class, academically (in terms of standardized test scores and high school averages), in SUNY Fredonia’s history. This builds nicely on the momentum our university has generated as we have become a more selective institution that consistently draws students of a high caliber.”

However, Dr. Hefner, added, there are many students who would otherwise have been admitted but have not, due to the substantial state-levied cuts to SUNY’s 2009-10 operating budget.

“The reality is, there are a lot of good students that we have had to turn away, simply because we need to make sure we can offer every student who walks through our doors the promise that they will have access to the courses they need in order to graduate within the standard four-year span,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the excessive cuts we’ve incurred by the State Department of Budget have meant that many qualified and deserving students are being left behind.”

At roughly 5,500 students, SUNY Fredonia is the third-largest university in Western New York, although the administration prides itself on the fact that few people come away from its campus with a large-school feeling. However, there are also many physical constraints that won’t allow for significantly greater enrollment without a corresponding increase in funding, such as the need for more instructors, residence hall and classroom space.

“It may seem like a lot,” Director of Admissions Chris Dearth said, “but even a hundred or so additional students would cause some real operational problems for the entire campus, so we have to keep our capacity within a manageable range.”

The university has generated growth in 2009 across many departments and majors, including Education, Political Science, Psychology, Communication, Computer Science and Visual Arts and New Media, while most others are at or near their enrollment targets, including its School of Business and School of Music.

Similarly, potential transfer student applications have also increased to nearly 1,300 submissions, which reflect a six percent jump over the prior year, and minority student applications are up by 315, or 23 percent. Graduate applications are up by 35 submissions, or 19 percent, even though nearly 25% of all graduate applications are typically submitted after May 1.

In addition to the present economic influences which have made state schools particularly attractive lately, Dearth believes Fredonia’s strengths, such as academic reputation, small class sizes and safe campus have played a big role in this success. He also credits new academic programs and marketing strategies and increased travel among admissions counselors for this recruitment growth.

“We’ve seen more and more high-achieving students applying to Fredonia,” Dearth added. “It’s a snowball effect that comes from steadily talking to them and their guidance counselors about our excellent programs and academic reputation. New programs in Sport Management, Journalism and Music Business have also made a difference.”

The campus also hosted 18 percent more visitors this year than in 2008, with more than 10,000 students and parents attending open houses, Saturday visits and daily information sessions, also a new record for the campus.

“Our campus leaders always provide potential students and their families with an outstanding, welcoming experience when they visit,” President Hefner added. “And the results speak volumes, as 86 percent of students who attended our Accepted Student Reception held earlier this semester have committed to attending this fall.

“Unfortunately, there are others who would like to attend — and who by all means are well qualified — to whom we have had to say ‘no,’ simply because of the financial reality we’re facing.”

Commencement ceremonies for SUNY Fredonia’s Class of 2009 will be held May 16, and its fall semester gets underway on August 24.