DeKALB | When NIU takes its official “10th day” enrollment count Jan. 29, it will provide valuable information about the university’s population.

NIU listed the fall semester’s 10th-day enrollment at 25,313 students, the university’s highest enrollment level since 1987, when it listed an enrollment of 25,455, according to the NIU Data Book.

“The number of students entering in the spring is much lower than the fall, and typically total campus enrollment declines due to graduation and students choosing not to return for the spring,” said Brent Gage, assistant vice provost of enrollment services. “Due to the large fall class, our overall enrollment will remain ahead of last year’s numbers for the spring term.”

According to an NIU press release, total enrollment increased by more than 100 between fall 2005 and fall 2006. The press release also mentioned that the freshman class grew to 3,247, the largest in 10 years.

According to the NIU Data Book, total enrollment at NIU gradually decreased from 25,455 in 1987 to a low of 21,609 in 1996. Enrollment has seen an increase every year since 1996, except in 2000 and 2004.

Gage said NIU’s goal is to recruit talented students while closely watching enrollment numbers to make sure the university can provide all students with the necessary resources. Gage said consequently, the enrollment numbers may drop so NIU can continue to effectively manage resources.

Dan Stone is a higher education beat reporter for the Northern Star.