The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Northwest Oklahoma 1

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  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University is seeing an upswing in enrollment during a down economy, which also is causing funding difficulties for Northwestern’s administrators.

    NW_Okla_Cover_2_BH.jpg

  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University is seeing an upswing in enrollment during a down economy, which also is causing funding difficulties for Northwestern’s administrators.

    NWOSU_BH.jpg

  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University is seeing an upswing in enrollment during a down economy, which also is causing funding difficulties for Northwestern’s administrators.

    NW_Okla_Cover_1_BH.jpg

Discussion

March 6, 2010

Going back to school

Northwestern sees good, bad fallout from economy

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ALVA — Northwestern Oklahoma State University is one of the pillars of northwest Oklahoma and still is holding strong.



The good news



“Enrollment is very good at this point,” said Steve Valencia, associate vice president for university relations. “In the fall we had our highest enrollment number since 1971.”

He added most of that enrollment carried over into the spring.

“We also had a significant jump in the number of credit hours that we offered,” said Valencia.

In a time of financial hardship for many across the nation, many are looking at more education as an answer.

“I think anytime you have an economic downturn you have students who look at college as something they want to do because the jobs aren’t necessarily there,” said Valencia.

He also said he believes a tuition freeze enacted by the university has helped raise enrollment.



The bad news



Despite increased enrollment, the university is facing difficulties due to a decrease in state funding.

“It has impacted our ability to be able to serve students,” said Valencia. “We have tried to cut budgets in virtually all our non-academic areas.”

With more budget cuts looming on the state’s horizon, there may come a time when universities will have to look elsewhere for cuts.

“I think we’re going to see some of these cut come into these academic areas,” he said.



Focusing on the positive



In the meantime, there still are exciting things going on at NWOSU.

“One of the exciting new things has been the success of our agriculture education program,” said Valencia. “The response to this program has been great.”

Valencia credited agriculture education instructor Mike Sneary with the success of the program. Sneary taught at Garber before teaching at NWOSU.

Another area of success is the Northwestern social work program.

“Our social work program received national accreditation this year,” Valencia said.

In an area that always has been strong for the university, 100 percent of nursing students passed state licensure exams this year, he said.

Aside from the academic programs offered, students can turn toward another important factor when considering North-western.

“U.S. News and World Report did a study and determined we have the lowest on-campus living expenses of any university in the nation,” said Valencia.

NWOSU graduates also have the lowest amount of student debt compared to graduates of other universities.

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Northwest Oklahoma 1
  • NW_Okla_Cover_2_BH.jpg Going back to school

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    March 6, 2010 3 Photos

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    This year’s Alfalfa/Woods County Relay for Life event will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. June 4-5 at the Cherokee High School track and football field.

    March 6, 2010 1 Photo