This year's record-size freshman class, with more than 2,800 members, will be the largest one since the University began tracking the statistic in 1982, said Terry Babbitt, the Office of Recruitment director.
The 18.5 percent increase over last year's figures is being described by University officials as a huge one.
"Usually we'll have a difference of about two percent each semester," said Peter White, dean of University College.
The statistic will not become official until 21 days after the beginning of the academic year, according to the Commission on Higher Education's rules governing statistic reporting. But, White said, the total is expected to increase after the first couple of weeks in the semester once late students enroll for fall classes.
"This year our recruitment office has done a great job," said Babbitt, who oversaw much of the recruitment process last spring. "We spent more money on personal contact and made about 15,000 more phone calls," Babbitt said.
Also, unlike previous years, staff members visited high schools around New Mexico once a month.
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"We might have a record retention rate, but there are a multitude of factors for the increase," Babbitt said.
Officials also partially attribute the large increase in the freshmen class to improved electronic services.
"Our enhanced electronic Web sites are better for students now, information is more accessible," Babbitt said.
Another reason that may have contributed to the record class size is the widespread dissemination of scholarships and tuition options available to incoming students.
New Mexico high school graduates received notification through mail about the Lottery Scholarship and selected students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 were mailed a certificate and an award letter for the Bridge to Success Scholarship, giving $1,000 toward their tuition for the first semester.
"Financial Aid gave out notification of the Bridge Scholarship early this year," White said.
The early notice gave students a chance to evaluate their options for higher education sooner than usual.
The state of the nation's economy and unemployment rates are also possible factors contributing to the increased size of the freshman class.
"There are a multitude of factors, but externally the economy has an impact," Babbitt said.
White added that higher education is always an option for people who are having a hard time finding jobs.
"There aren't as many jobs out there, and there is this conventional wisdom to go to college," White said.
Because of the massive increase in freshman numbers, retention of that record-size class has become an important issue. University officials say they are looking toward additions to some UNM academic programs as means of retaining as many of those freshmen as possible.
"We have more honors classes and are developing more study groups for help," Babbitt said.
With the drastic increase in freshman numbers, there comes a potential for overcrowded classrooms, especially in introductory-level courses.
Nancy Uscher, associate provost for Academic Affairs, was part of the Rapid Response Team, a group of University personnel that met every Monday during the summer to keep track of records and to plan ahead for the fall's freshman class.
"Meeting every week made us feel comfortable in being flexible, and responding quickly to any concerns," Uscher said.
She said she wants the University to foster effective communication through the recruitment and administration offices, as well as through faculty.
"The value for innovation to make students succeed is working through our creative thinking," Uscher said. "One example of such flexibility is to have a TA from American Studies teaching English."
Although the severe increase in freshman numbers is placing a high demand on the University, officials said that the needs of the freshman class are being meet.
"All the freshmen I've talked to say they have got the classes they wanted," Babbitt said.
