Southern Illinois University sees continued enrollment drop

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Enrollment is continuing a steep decline at Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus, with nearly 12 percent fewer students this fall semester.

The drop to 12,817 students follows enrollment declines of 7.5 percent in 2016 and 9 percent in 2017. The Southern Illinoisan reports the Carbondale enrollment about half of its 1991 peak of 24,869 students.

The university's Edwardsville campus reported a 3.7 percent enrollment drop to 13,281 students.

The Carbondale campus saw a nearly 20 percent smaller incoming class. Chancellor Carlo Montemagno says a larger drop was projected before the SIU Foundation and the Alumni Association offered more financial support for new and returning students.

University President Randy Dunn resigned in July after criticism over his proposal to shift $5 million in state funding from the Carbondale campus to Edwardsville.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com