Enrollment has decreased over the past three semesters but University administrators plan to combat the decline.

Total enrollment for this semester is about 5,000 students and of those, 3,330 are full-time. Fall 2003 enrollment was 5,410 students and of those, 3,531 were full-time.

Southern is currently housing 400 students and has lost 50-60 of those due to graduation and withdrawal from college.

Deb Gipson, director of student housing and the Student Life Center, said when enrollment numbers are down, student housing is affected.

“We are making changes and there are some things that we are trying to do in order to promote our University,” Gipson said.

Gipson said fees have been set for next year and they have not been changed.

“Instead of having two meal plans, there will be three and we will also start serving Sunday dinner,” she said.

Along with the 10 and 15 weekly meal plans, students will receive “Lionbucks” which can be used at several locations on campus.

Due to the increased population of international students, Gipson said it’s necessary that they serve dinner on Sunday.

Southern will now start serving a late night dinner from 9-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday for those who don’t have a chance to eat at regular dinner hours.

“We are really trying to open up new options for the student,” Gipson said.

Another change Southern has come up with is its residence hall deposit system. If students live on campus and fulfills their contract they will receive double their deposit at the end of the year.

Gipson said the resident directors are coming up with ways and activities to attract people to Southern.

Gipson said with all of the changes happening, she is sure there will be an overall increase in enrollment, not just in housing.

“I am excited to see the changes,” she said. “I think it’s going be a neat thing.”

She said she was very thankful for the administration and Sodexho for their support.She also said she has talked to some students and they seemed really excited about the changes as well.

Katie Botts, junior nursing major, said she was excited for Southern and the changes that have and will be made for the next school year.

Dr. Julio Leon, University president, said that the enrollment drop is only temporary and blames the drop on the economy.

“It is obvious that tuition is increasing but as we stabilize it, enrollment will begin to climb back up,” Leon said.

Leon said that he is not discouraged by the enrollment drop because within a year or so things will begin to look good for the economy.

“I believe that we have weathered the worst of the storm and things will begin to look good again,” he said.