U. looks out of state to increase revenue, diversity

With not enough funds to meet the 20 percent increase in financial aid applicants the University saw this year, undergraduate admissions is looking to increase the number of out-of state and international students to generate more revenue.
Vice President of Enrollment Management Courtney McAnuff said the University is looking to increase the amount of out-of-state and international undergraduate students by 2 to 3 percent over the next year, an equivalent of 700 to 900 students.
While this is not a large increase, out-of-state and international students — who compose about 9 percent of the undergraduate student body — pay almost double the tuition of in-state students, he said. Accepting more out-of-state students who do not need aid would significantly increase University revenue.
“That revenue then can go to offset financial aid for needy New Jersey students. Right now we’re really struggling with the loss of state dollars to get sufficient money to help needy students,” McAnuff said.
University President Richard L. McCormick said the increase in non-N.J. students provides both financial and intellectual advantages for the University.
“They help support the education of Rutgers students,” he said. “They pay full tuition and the tuition they pay is more than [what] New Jersey kids pay.”
McCormick said their presence in the classroom also improves the education of all University students.
“Out-of-state and international students bring … a lot of diversity and experience from different parts of the world and different cultures,” he said.
McAnuff said the admissions office is looking to add to the diversity of incoming classes to mirror the composition of the world.
“We’re focusing a lot on the international students, more so than domestic and out-of-state,” he said.
The University has recruiters in 26 foreign cities primarily in the Middle East, South America and Asia, McAnuff said.
Despite these benefits, McCormick said the University is not looking to change the mission of the University, which is to continue to provide overwhelmingly for N.J. students.
“Right now, over 90 percent of our undergraduate students are from New Jersey, and while that percentage may change a bit in the years ahead, I’m confident Rutgers’ primary educational mission will be focused on men and women from our own state,” he said.
The University’s percentage of out-of-state students is significantly lower than that of other public, state universities, McAnuff said.
Penn State’s and the University of Connecticut’s undergraduate student bodies are about 28 percent out-of-state, he said. The University of Michigan is close to 30 percent out-of-state.
“We’re not even in the ballpark,” McAnuff said.
He said as a flagship public university, it is important to represent the world and the rest of the country, but he said access and resources for N.J. students come first.
School of Arts and Sciences first-year student Sarah Festa, who is from Scranton, Pa., said she would like to see more non-native students like her on campus.
But Festa, who does not receive any financial aid, said the University should increase aid for these students.
“I pay so much and everybody around me doesn’t,” she said.
Festa said the University is a great place for out-of-state students, but it comes with a price.
“The school is good if you look at it as a student, but if you’re going to have to pay for it by yourself or mostly on your own, I don’t necessarily think financially or monetarily it’s the best school,” she said.
School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Jenny Butryn, an in-state student, said increasing out-of-state students has pros and cons.
“I guess it’s good to bring in revenue, but then again I love how Rutgers is all about New Jersey and everyone [is] from New Jersey,” she said.