WEST PLAINS, Mo.– A total of 1,875 students were enrolled for classes today, the first day of the 2011 fall semester, at Missouri State University-West Plains.

“While the numbers today are lower than last year’s record-breaking first-day enrollment headcount of 2,024, they follow four years of consecutive growth,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said.

He also pointed out the official enrollment number for the fall semester will come after the 20th day of classes.  The official number is normally higher than the first-day enrollment figure due in large part to the late registration period, which continues through Friday, Aug. 26, he added.

Today’s figures include enrollment numbers from Missouri State-West Plains’ extended campus in Mountain Grove, as well as students enrolled in dual credit/dual enrollment classes being offered this fall at several area high schools and the new Great Opportunities for Adult Learners (GOAL) Program.

In addition to these students, 146 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s degree courses offered by Missouri State University’s Academic Outreach program on the West Plains campus.  This is a slight increase over last fall when 135 students were enrolled on the first day of classes, Academic Outreach Coordinator Deanna Smith said