Oct. 31, 1997 Contact Gaye Vandermyn (541) 346-3133 EUGENE--The University of Oregon enrolled 372 more Oregon students this fall, compared to fall 1996 and, despite a big drop in out-of-state enrollment, total fall head count is just 62 fewer students, says Jim Buch, associate vice president for student academic affairs. The UO's final enrollment figures this fall document a trend observed in college admissions offices across the West earlier this year, Buch explains. "More students are choosing to stay closer to home to pursue their degrees." California's reinvestment in its higher education system also started to pay off for that state with more of its residents choosing California schools. That showed up in UO enrollment figures this fall as out-of-state undergraduate enrollment declined, dropping from 4,899 students last fall to 4,352 this fall. Although higher nonresident tuition fees helped the UO balance its budget in the past few lean years as state support declined, Buch added, "the big increase this fall in Oregon students shows real confidence that we have done a good job in refocusing and strengthening our academic programs. It also looks like we are attracting more students interested in a rigorous academic program, as students have generally signed up for heavier class loads." Because students are taking more classes, our faculty are seeing as many or more students in just as many classes as they did last year, Buch explained. Buch said he also was pleased to see 78 more community members taking courses this fall, showing that UO efforts to respond better to the needs of working adults were successful. Enrollment in continuing education courses offered in the evening and weekends climbed to 701 non-admitted, part-time students this fall. -30- #O-1060/Local,PDX