Is football responsible for record high freshman deposits at Pacific?

Return of university’s grid program, along with federal aid for low-income students, could be answer to 43 percent rise in applications

By Corrina Crocker

The Forest Grove News-Times, Jul 14, 2010, Updated Jul 14, 2010 (1 Reader comment)

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A record high number of new faces will be calling Forest Grove home at the end of August due to an influx of freshmen on the Pacific University student rolls.

Smiling admissions officials are scratching their heads over the phenomenon, which shows an impressive number of freshman deposits flowing into university coffers – deposits made to secure a spot in the undergraduate class of 2014.

“The pace is well ahead of last year,” said Joe Lang, Pacific’s director of media relations. “There are more than 500 deposits in, and we feel good about that.”

The numbers say admissions for undergraduates are up 43 percent, although the percentage includes transfer students as well.

Financial aid and football could be the reasons.

‘Variety of things’

“The main contributing factor could be a variety of things,” Lang said. “The number of graduates from high school could be higher. It could be economic forces — people are looking for higher education.”

Lang said it’s possible more students are applying to private schools because the recently-approved federal healthcare legislation bill will ensure that more lower-income students receive financial aid for higher education.

“Schools all across the country, both private and public, are seeing record number of applications for admissions,” Lang said. “I think the current economy, as well our country’s growing populations, are factors in this.”

Also adding to the allure of private education at Pacific this fall is the return of the football program after a 19-year absence.

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