SIU-Carbondale's enrollment slips; economy blamed

CARBONDALE -- Southern Illinois University officials are blaming the sluggish economy for a continued enrollment slide this fall on SIU's flagship Carbondale campus.

The school says there are 20,350 students enrolled at SIU-Carbondale. That's down 323 students from a year ago, marking an enrollment drop at the school for the fifth straight year.

SIU President Glenn Poshard says the economy has taking a toll on student attendance despite the university's best efforts to limit the drop.

The university says its freshmen enrollment was up 56 students from a year ago.

Starting this fall, the school offered in-state tuition to applicants from five surrounding states. Those applications were up by 176.