By: Madeleine Dunn
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The University of Arkansas has welcomed its biggest student body in history this semester, with over 29,000 students enrolled.
This student increase, which includes about 2,800 freshmen, has impacted some University services.
Users Director for Mullins Library, Stephanie Pierce, said there has been a dramatic increase in student traffic from previous years, even before the library’s renovations in 2020.
“Over the last three months we’re seeing a dramatic increase,” Pierce said. “About a 1,000 percent increase from last year, even with students who were on (campus).”
Increased student traffic has also affected student housing. The Program Director for Housing, Takama Statton-Brooks, said adjustments were made for students who had to be placed in off-campus apartments.
“To prepare for the incoming student population, university housing looked at solutions for the number of first year students who were contracted to live on campus, as well as the returning student population,” Stratton-Brooks said. “Returning students are reassigned to apartment complexes near campus and on the bus route.”
Program Manager for Parking and Transit, David B. Wilson, said policies by parking and transit are put in place to help with traffic, and do not solely depend on student enrollment numbers. While students may have concerns about parking and transit this year, they have not been directly affected by the increase in students.
“It’s usually crazy and hectic and everybody’s looking for parking. Everybody’s going to class. It’s all new for some people,” Wilson said. “It’s hard for us to gauge if things are different this year because it’s always super busy the first few weeks of school, and it has been this year, too.”
Enrollment numbers still continue to vary, and an official report will be released in October.