UNLV's enrollment figures increased dramatically this fall, jumping 5.7 percent in the total number of students and increasing an unprecedented 9.5 percent over last year in the important full-time equivalent (FTE) figure.

FTE, a figure that uses a formula to calculate the equivalent number of full-time students based on the number of credits taken by all students, determines the amount of per-student funding the institution receives from the legislature.

This fall, FTE increased to 17,777 and the total count of students rose to 24,965.

"We have been posting spectacular growth over the past several years, but this fall's figures surpassed any we have seen in recent years," UNLV President Carol C. Harter said.

"UNLV is doing everything possible to accommodate the large number of new students. Despite base budget cuts and additional unfunded costs, we have filled the classrooms and provided the services students require," Harter said. "It is, of course, exciting to witness the remarkable growth of our maturing campus. UNLV is becoming better as well as bigger. We are among the largest 75 universities in the United States."

"At the same time, we are facing a significant challenge. UNLV welcomed 1,347 new students just this fall. But as the state's largest university and fastest-growing campus, I believe it is incumbent upon us to serve those Nevadans who choose to pursue higher education."