According to preliminary figures, Jackson State University’s fall 2018 enrollment has declined by 9.9 percent since fall 2017.

The current preliminary enrollment is 7,709 and represents a drop of 849 students from last year’s preliminary figure of 8,558.

The decline is related to several factors. JSU no longer allows students with prior balances to register for the current term unless payment plan arrangements have been made. In addition, this year, prior to reporting preliminary numbers we are verifying whether pre-registered students are attending class before we submit our numbers to IHL by having professors submit attendance rosters.

“As stated previously, our next three years will be difficult as we rebound from our current financial crisis,” Bynum said. “JSU has begun to initiate its first purge earlier. Previously, students were given a wider grace period to complete registration before removal from enrollment rosters. Now, however, they must complete this requirement within the designated reporting period or be purged from classes.”

Bynum also said, “We will continue to focus on becoming one of the most student-centered universities in the country.”