Record number of Hispanic and African American students enrolled for 2006 fall semester at UT

Good news about racial & ethnic diversity at The University of Texas at Austin. -Angela

Record number of Hispanic and African American students
enrolled for 2006 fall semester

September 21, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas—A record high number of Hispanic and African American students are enrolled and attending classes at The University of Texas at Austin for the 2006 fall semester, according to a preliminary report by the university’s Office of Institutional Research.

Total enrollment of all students of all ethnic groups this fall is 49,738, slightly higher than the 49,696 recorded for the 2005 fall semester. This total, based on preliminary figures, includes 37,069 undergraduate, 11,361 graduate and 1,427 law students, said Maryann Ruddock, associate vice president and director of institutional research.

Included in the 2006 total fall enrollment are the highest numbers ever recorded for Hispanic and African American student populations on campus—7,453 Hispanics (15 percent of the student population) and 1,939 African Americans (3.9 percent of the student population). The previous record high enrollments for these two ethnic groups were 7,013 Hispanics in 2005 and 1,911 African Americans in 1996.

The 15 percent Hispanic figure for the 2006 fall semester reflects a 6.3 percent increase over fall 2005, when 7,013 Hispanics accounted for 14.1 percent of the student population.

The preliminary fall 2006 figures show a 5.2 percent increase in African American students over fall 2005, when 1,843 African Americans accounted for 3.7 percent of the student population.

White students remain a majority on campus, accounting for 56.6 percent of the student population. The 28,132 white student enrollment total for fall 2006 reflects a 1.4 percent decrease from fall 2005, when 28,537 were enrolled.

The 7,181 Asian American students enrolled this fall semester represent 14.4 percent of the student population, a 0.8 percent increase over fall 2005.

The enrollment statistics for other ethnic groups include:

The 231 American Indians enrolled represent 0.5 percent of the student population, a 6 percent increase.

There are 4,432 foreign students representing 8.9 percent of the student population, a 0.2 percent increase.

The preliminary report reflects a planned increase in the number of first-time freshmen (up by 509 to 7,421). This figure includes freshmen who entered in the summer and continued this fall, as well as new entrants. In the entering class from Texas high schools, about 71 percent were admitted under House Bill 588, better known as the Top 10 Percent Law. This is an increase from the 69 percent in fall 2005.

First-time freshman enrollment by ethnicity counting fall/summer entrants includes 54.3 percent white, 0.5 percent American Indian, 5.2 percent African American, 17.9 percent Asian American, 18.7 percent Hispanic and 3.4 percent foreign.

Total enrollment in the School of Law decreased by 119 students (8.3 percent), and new law school enrollment decreased by 69 students (12 percent).

Trends reflected by the preliminary report include undergraduate enrollment increases for schools and colleges, including: Fine Arts (1.4 percent), the new Jackson School of Geosciences (19.5 percent), Natural Sciences (3.9 percent), Nursing (6.1 percent) and Social Work (1.8 percent). Enrollment in all other schools and colleges decreased or remained stable.

Graduate enrollment increased for Communication (1.4 percent), Engineering (1.9 percent), Fine Arts (3.2 percent), Geosciences (16.7 percent), Intercollegial Programs (5.0 percent), Nursing (8.5 percent), Pharmacy (4.0 percent), Public Affairs (5.4 percent) and Social Work (3.8 percent). Graduate enrollment in all other schools and colleges decreased or remained stable.

Ruddock said these data are preliminary 12th class day numbers issued by the Office of Institutional Research. Final figures for the 12th class day will be available in October, but usually there is little variation from preliminary figures.
For more information contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.

Updated 2006 September 21
Comments to utopa@www.utexas.edu