According to the University of Illinois via The News-Gazette, this year’s class of incoming freshmen contain 73.1% in-state students, while last year measured 71.7%. The freshman class is also the second-largest ever, consisting of 7,565 students.
In addition to more Illinois-based students choosing to attend college at the U of I, the number of African American freshmen on campus has exceeded last year’s total by 33%, jumping from 356 to 475 students. Just last year, the university caught serious attention for continually missing the “Project 500” goal set after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While these number are certainly a commendable improvement, we’re still short of the goal. Hopefully this is a sign of a continued legitimate commitment to diversity.
(Photo by Flickr user VSmithUK)