Students who’ve noticed more women on campus are on the money, according to national statistics.

“Enrollment of women has increased over the years, due to a number of factors, such as increased opportunities for women, more college-educated female role models, more flexible course scheduling and other demographic changes,” said Amy Levin, program director for NIU Women’s Studies.

Women make up 56 percent of college students, compared to only 44 percent of men nationwide, according to U.S. Department of Education statistics. And, in the past 10 years, women nationally have earned a larger percentage of bachelor’s and master’s degrees than men have.

With more degrees being earned, it’s expected to find more women on college campuses. According to the 1999-2000 NIU Data Book, 12,610 females enrolled at NIU in 1999 compared to 10,233 males & a 10-percent difference.

The data book indicates that female enrollment at NIU is larger in all areas, including undergraduate and master’s programs. Although professional programs such as law and medicine have lacked female representation, that, too, has steadily increased since 1990.

While women outnumber men on campus, it’s not always evident.

“I don’t notice it around campus, but definitely in my classes, where the ratio is about 25 girls for every two guys,” said Romy Richter, a junior special education major.

According to the U.S Department of Education, women are still lacking representation in many areas of study, such as engineering, business, mathematics and physical science.

“My classes are equally spread out,” said Joe Sofie, a senior marketing major, on female representation in his classes.

Levin said while the climate for women in the classroom may be warming, it’s still not enough. She stresses that faculty must be aware in “recognizing the diversity in their pedagogy and course content.”