UTA recorded its largest spring enrollment last semester and the fifth largest for any semester.

The 24,187 students taking classes in spring 2004 represented a 6.6 percent increase over the previous spring and marked the 15th consecutive semester of enrollment gains. The previous high for a spring semester was 23,466 in 1992. The all-time enrollment high is 25,135, set in fall 1991.

Despite higher tuition, undergraduate enrollment increased 6.6 percent in the spring and graduate enrollment 6.7 percent. Minority enrollment rose, with the number of black students increasing by 9.2 percent and Hispanic students by 8.5 percent.

Members of the Tuition Review Committee structured spring tuition hikes and financial aid packages so that students could stay in school, said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dana Dunn.

“It’s not perfect proof, but it’s highly suggestive that the tuition increase did not prevent students from moving forward with their education,” Dr. Dunn said.

Semester credit hours, which determine the University’s funding from the state, jumped 7.9 percent, an indication that students are taking heavier course loads. More than 70 percent of undergraduates took 12 or more hours in the spring.