WEST PLAINS, Mo.– A total of 1,619 students began classes Monday morning, Aug. 17, the first day of the 2015 fall semester, at Missouri State University-West Plains, university officials announced.

That is the number of students enrolled as of Sunday evening, Aug. 16, the end of regular registration period for the fall semester, university officials said.  Last year, 1,928 students were enrolled for the first day, university officials pointed out.

Monday’s figures included enrollment numbers from Missouri State-West Plains’ extended campus in Mountain Grove, online courses and early enrollees in the dual credit/dual enrollment classes being offered this fall at several area high schools.

“It is not surprising that our first day enrollment number is down this year, considering that enrollment is projected to be down at almost every two-year college across Missouri,” said Dr. Drew Bennett, chancellor of Missouri State-West Plains.  “Enrollment numbers are not final until the 20th day of class, and we have a few programs that are still registering some students.”

Bennett explained the official number is normally higher than the first-day enrollment figure due in large part to the extended registration period for such programs as VESTA (Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance), specific child and family development courses for local Head Start instructors, and some high school dual credit classes.

In addition to these students, 125 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s degree courses offered on site and via interactive television (ITV) by Missouri State University’s Outreach Program on the West Plains campus.  This is a slight increase over last fall when 122 students were enrolled on the first day of classes, Outreach Coordinator Deanna Smith said.  The number does not include students enrolled in local Outreach programs who are taking online classes only this fall, she added.

For more information about Missouri State-West Plains, its programs and registration deadlines, visit www.wp.missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7955.