With a final total of 13,079 students, Sam Houston State University can boast record-breaking enrollment for the fall 2002 semester. The figure marks the first time in its 123-year history that SHSU has been home to more than13, 000 Bearkats.The enrollment number, released by the SHSU Registrar’s Office last week, is an increase over last fall. Enrollment at this time in 2001 was 12,997. Released figures show various increases and decreases in enrollment among students of different classifications. Freshman enrollment decreased 6 percent over last year and senior enrollment also dropped 4 percent. Numbers for sophomores and juniors showed increases of 5.7 and 6.3 percent. Enrollment by graduate students also jumped a substantial 17.1 percent. The enrollment increase comes at a time when university officials are said to be working hard to create a better campus and increase SHSU’s visibility. “There are really many reasons that went into increased enrollment,” said David Payne, vice president for Academic Affairs. “We’ve worked hard at recruiting and been successful, and we’ve focused on making the university more visible to people. We have also been successful at our attribution of sophomores and juniors through our work with community colleges,” he said. “The recent downturn in the economy may have contributed to the increase as well.”The enrollment increase came as a surprise to some after higher admissions standards, implemented last year, were expected to decrease student numbers.”I was expecting enrollment to go down,” Payne said. “I was very pleased.”The new admissions standards require higher placement in one’s graduating class to gain automatic admission, and higher standardized test scores for those with lower high school class standings.”It’s an intricate system, but basically students have to have a certain percentile in their graduating class. The top 25 percent get in no matter what,” Payne said. “Any lower than that and a certain SAT or ACT score is required of them on a sliding scale. Now, those at the bottom of their class have to really wow us on the test scores to get in.”Payne said administrators were hopeful the new admissions standards would further raise the quality of students attending SHSU.”When we raise admission standards, you are effectively saying to people ‘We are a better university,'” Payne said. “Saying that may have had a role in bringing in more students.”Overall campus leaders said they are pleased with the enrollment increase and what it could mean for the future of SHSU.”We are happy with the increase,” said SHSU President James Gaertner. “The fall enrollment numbers are certainly a tribute to hard work by many on campus and to our quality reputation that is being spread by our alumni and current students.”We also believe the campus improvements under way and in various stages of planning will serve our students well and assure SHSU more future growth.”