UTRGV enrollment at 26,000

Preliminary figures show there are slightly more than 26,000 students enrolled this spring semester at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, meeting the university’s goal, officials say.

The Spring 2017 figure is 188 more than enrolled a year ago, but less than the enrollment of 27,560 last fall.

Maggie Hinojosa, vice president for Strategic Enrollment, said the university wants enrollment numbers to be even with prior years.

“We always want to be at least even with the year before,” Hinojosa said. “Last year, spring was 90 percent of enrollment of fall and right now we’re actually trending a little bit higher at about 92 percent of the enrollment of fall.”

Some students reported issues with class registration.

University Registrar Sofia Montes said there are no problems with incoming students this semester, except for being waitlisted in some classes.

“Students may already be enrolled in a class but they’re on a waitlist for a time they prefer over the other,” Montes said. “ We try to decrease students who are needing assistance with registration and financial aid. They’re getting waitlist notification as well.

“[A lot of times] what ends up happening is that they may decide not to come anymore or they may not qualify for financial aid, so they withdraw from classes and they fill up those spots for other students.”

Montes said students can register for additional credit hours without having to pay extra tuition if they are enrolled full time.

For students, the beginning of a new semester can be stressful.

“If you’re a senior or in the dean’s list, it’s easy for you to register. After [that period], since everyone decides to come to the Edinburg campus, it’s really hard getting into classes,” said Jesus Cazares, a graduating senior in biology. “They get filled up pretty fast, and the system crashes down. A lot of people have trouble getting into classes.”

Montes said the university is trying to solve the lack of classroom space.

“Definitely, we’re facing challenges in terms of academic space,” she said.  “Sometimes we have to work really hard and get really creative with problem solving to find classroom spaces for classes being offered.”

For issues or questions regarding registration, call (888) 882-4026 for more information.