Texas State University continues to grow and expand for the 16th consecutive year becoming a more diverse campus

Texas State University breaks its enrollment record for the 16^th consecutive year and continues to diversify its student population.

Texas State University announced in September the most diverse student body in the school’s history with a record-setting enrollment of 35,568 for the 2013 fall semester.

“We take our role in preparing the next-generation workforce in Texas very seriously, so it is gratifying to see that so many incoming students are choosing to attend Texas State,” President Denise M. Trauth said in a statement. “This new high in student enrollment demonstrates that Texas State continues to be a leading university in the state, and that students and their families recognize our institution offers both an outstanding educational experience as well as an exceptional value.”

Shannon Quay, sophomore, said that this increase affected her in a positive way because she has formed more friendships.

“I attended a small school last semester and it just wasn't for me,” she said. “I grew up with a lot of friends in a pretty large school district so big schools with a lot of students is more my comfort zone.”

Undergraduate enrollment also reached a new record of 31,032 students which was driven in large part by the incoming freshman class of 5,181, a 22 percent increase from 2012.

Texas State students were affected by the university’s enrollment increase in a positive and negative way. Some are content with the student body because it gives them an opportunity to make friends while others disfavor the increase because of traffic when commuting. “You can’t find parking anywhere, and buying a parking permit is just pointless now,” said student Chelsey Kidder.

Texas State minority students now make up 42 percent of the student body. Student Colby Gober has seen Texas State grow and change after living in San Marcos for three years. “I think with the increase in number of students it will set the standards higher and Texas State can become a better school,” he said. “Things are changing.”

As the demographics of Texas continue to shift, it is important for Texas State’s institution of higher learning to adequately reflect the growing diversity of Texas, Texas State Provost, Eugene Bourgeois said. “We are most pleased that our efforts to recruit students from all backgrounds has led to a truly diverse population at Texas State.”