Grand Valley State University's explosive growth is not confined to Allendale. In fact, enrollment at all of GVSU's regional campus locations has more than doubled since 1996.
The biggest growth rate has been in Holland, mostly due to the completion of the Meijer Campus in 1998. Enrollments in Holland reached 1,456, up 530 percent from 1996, according to a recent report by Dean of Continuing Education Cal Stockman.
Stockman also reported that enrollments in Traverse City are up 292 percent in the same period, to 447. In Muskegon, enrollments are up 175 percent, to 553. Other Michigan locations, where the university offers programs but has no physical office or building, have seen enrollments rise to 202 for 1999, a 117 percent increase. GVSU currently offers programs from the Indiana border to Sault Ste. Marie. On May 2 of this year, 13 Social Work students who have taken courses in Sault Ste. Marie will receive their degrees in a special commencement ceremony in Traverse City. Another 65 students from the Traverse City classes, representing the Social Work, Education, and Nursing programs, will also graduate at that time.
Enrollment growth is expected to continue, based on the university's efforts to increase the number of degree programs offered and to expand the number of Michigan communities served, using compressed video. Stockman also reported plans to deliver credit and non-credit courses over the Internet. He expects the university will offer online courses within two years.
GVSU President Arend D. Lubbers predicts the growth both in Michigan and beyond will continue.
It's not unlikely that applications we receive from out of state will double in the next decade, Lubbers told the Board of Control.
¿Read features about GVSU's campus centers: http://www.gvnow.gvsu.edu/campus/index.cfm
¿Read more about GVSU Continuing Education: http://www.gvsu.edu/ce/
