'0,0,0' Tuition Initiative Leading to Increased Enrollment at Eastern Michigan University

YPSILANTI, Mich., June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eastern Michigan University's "0,0,0" tuition initiative is resulting in increases in enrollment for summer and fall.

As of May 28, enrollment to date for fall 2010 shows an increase of 6.2 percent in total students and a 5.24 percent increase in credit hours. Enrollment for summer 2010 is up 8.70 in students and 9 percent in credit hours. These percentages will fluctuate as new students enroll.

"We are seeing real excitement among prospective and current students in the '0,0,0' effort," said Susan Martin, president of Eastern Michigan.

Eastern Michigan University had the lowest percentage tuition increase in the state last year and froze tuition for 2010 when it announced its "0,0,0" initiative in April. Eastern's "0,0,0" campaign, in which tuition, fees and room and board will not increase for 2010, has garnered significant media attention including USA TODAY, which listed Eastern as one of only three schools in the country not to increase tuition so far this year.

"This effort was designed to meet the needs of Michigan students and their families who have been increasingly challenged with finding affordable and accessible higher education opportunities. At the time we first announced '0,0,0' on April 21, I said it was the right move at the right time. That still holds true today, as we hear from an increasing number of prospective students," Martin said.

"The fact that Eastern had the lowest tuition increase in the state for 2009, and has frozen it this year, has influenced students to enroll here. But more importantly, we have excellent faculty and academic programs that make Eastern a great choice," said Bernice Lindke, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

The ability to freeze tuition for 2010 was made possible by a 4 percent enrollment increase this year. The University also has contained costs with increased vigilance in all areas of spending and "green" initiatives, which have resulted in energy savings of more than $2 million annually.

For additional information, go to www.emich.edu/zero.

SOURCE Eastern Michigan University