Southern Illinois University reports spring enrollment drop

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is reporting enrollment has dropped more than 5 percent for the spring semester.

SIU administrators said Tuesday enrollment for spring is down to 15,806 from 16,684 during spring 2015.

Graduate student enrollment fell 11.5 percent, or 420 students, for the period. Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell attributes the decline, in part, to a delay in awarding graduate assistantships because of state budget uncertainty.

Administrators said uncertainty surrounding MAP grant funding also impacted enrollment. But they did not say how many students failed to re-enroll as a result.

Due to the lack of a state budget, the SIU is providing grand funds to low-income students this semester. SIU President Randy Dunn has said if the state does not reimburse the university, students will be on the hook.