Ashland University is experiencing an increase in new freshmen for the 2017-2018 school year, but a slight decrease in returning students and transfer students.

For incoming undergraduates, enrollment was 589 in 2015, 616 in 2016, and currently 639 for 2017.

“We anticipate about 125, which was last year’s number,” Dr. Eun-Woo Chang, who oversees enrollment, said. “This year it will be around 120.”

The total enrollment for both new freshmen and undergraduate students last year was 740. This year the number of freshmen is currently 759.

Even with the increase of incoming students, the decrease in returning students is raising a few eyebrows.Last year the freshmen to sophomore rate was 79.6 percent. This year, as of right now, it is currently 77.9 percent but is presumed to faintly decrease.

However, the exact numbers on enrollment for 2017-2018 will not be final until at least the third week of the fall semester.

Dr. Chang said the reason for the shortage of returning student is due mostly to more academic dismissals in December and May.

“I actually carefully reviewed every appeal from the students and the decisions made by the committee and I respected in many cases of what the committee actually decided and I accepted it. I declined many of the student appeals,” Dr. Chang said. “But in long term, this is the right way to do it.”

Despite the decrease, President Campo and Dr. Chang are still looking forward to the school year to begin.

“I very excited in terms of the are missionary trips taking place this year,” Dr. Campo said. “We have some educational students that are going to Kenya to help at an orphanage.”

With many more new athletes coming to AU, both Dr. Chang and Dr. Campo express their excitement for the upcoming sport seasons as well.

“I really hope more students are going to be at the games,” Dr. Chang said. “The spirit in a full crowd here is really something special.”

Ashland University is looking to continue the rise of incoming freshmen and work hard to ensure that students are inspired and able to stay with the university.