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OREM -- At Utah Valley University, the school is looking at a possible double-digit enrollment growth when fall semester starts up on Aug. 25. University spokesperson Chris Taylor says that would mean more than 30,000 students will be roaming the halls and trying to get the classes they want and need.
If the current enrollment trends continue, UVU could soon be the state's largest public university.
We have hours and days in the week currently where there's not an empty classroom on this campus, so students are being forced to get on a waiting list.
–UVU spokesperson Chris Taylor
The school's mission statement is to admit anyone and give them an opportunity to further their education, but the recent growth -- combined with more than a 12 percent budget cut -- has put what is being called "soft caps" in place.
"When we say ‘soft caps' what we mean is students just aren't able to get the classes that they need," said Taylor. "We have hours and days in the week currently where there's not an empty classroom on this campus, so students are being forced to get on a waiting list."
A new science building will soon help the crowding problems on campus, but won't eliminate them.
The school is looking for creative ways to teach more students, including putting more focus on distance education using the internet.
President Mathew Holland has told administrators there's something magic about learning in a classroom setting, so the school doesn't want to rely too heavily on online instructions. One idea is to merge the two in a hybrid form of instruction where there are some classroom lectures while others would be online.
Taylor says the number of students enrolling clearly shows the students want to be there, and the state will need to look at making a greater investment.
Administrators are also advising students attending this fall to register for their classes now and not wait until the first day of class to see what's available. Taylor says the students who take the later route might be disappointed in finding many of the classes full.
This is the first year the school has implemented a strict admissions deadline of Aug. 15. Anyone registering after that before the first day of class will be charged a $100 late fee.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
