FSU Free Summer School Reaches Record 4,463 Enrollment
June 20 2024 - 12:00PM
In its fourth year, Fayetteville State University’s 30-60-90 Free
Summer School Program reaches record enrollment for the second
consecutive year, just days after receiving a $750,000 private
foundation donation that will further support its summer school
student success goals.
On June 19, FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison announced the gift
to students, faculty, and staff in the Rudolph Jones Student Center
Amphitheater and that 4,463 students are attending summer school.
The enrollment increase is nearly 21% from the program's inception
in 2021.
“We launched the idea of 30, 60, 90 Free Summer School in 2021
in the hopes that this concept would truly take at Fayetteville
State University,” said Chancellor Allison. “Today, we stand here
fully committed where 30, 60, 90 Summer School has become an
integral part of FSU.
“We are no longer a two-semester institution – fall and spring,
but FSU is now a three-semester institution where 66% or two-thirds
of our nearly 7,000 student population is enrolled in summer
school. FSU is doubling down on its commitment to ensuring that
students have real pathways of obtaining their degree in four years
or less, which also equates to less debt in their pursuit of
graduating.” Chancellor Allison added.
The large crowd also heard about the successes and
accomplishments since launching the Free Summer School Program,
like first-time freshmen retention rate. “Our one-year retention
rate for first-time freshmen cohorts in fall 2020 was 63.3%,”
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success & Enrollment
Management Pamela Baldwin, Ed.D., said during the event. “In fall
2021, we saw an increase to 69.7%. Fall 2022, another increase to
77.7%, and I am excited to share we project another increase for
fall 2023.”
FSU student, Deborah Cathcart, recounted her personal experience
with summer school. “The benefits of the Free Summer School program
are invaluable and has significantly decreased the financial burden
of my family,” Cathcart said. “The opportunity to take free courses
during the summer has placed me ahead of some of my peers, putting
me on a smoother path toward timely graduation.”
FSU’s 30, 60, 90, Free Summer School Program is a completion
assistance program aimed at helping students graduate on time, in
four years or less. Programs like the 30/60/90 Initiative also
promote lowering student debt aligning with UNC System and State of
North Carolina priorities.
“The 30, 60, 90, Initiative with the focus on free summer
sessions is truly game-changing and groundbreaking across the
system,” said David English, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor for
academic affairs with UNC System. “This model of dedication to
student success backed by private donors investing in the program…
is a testament to the confidences that individuals have in this
institution and its students.
The $750,000 private donation to Fayetteville State University
to support summer school operations is evidence of the community’s
advocacy and backing of the 30, 60, 90, Free Summer School Program.
It additionally allows FSU to highlight the program’s successes,
such as two consecutive years of record-high enrollment and
increasing the number of graduates and improving fall-to-fall
retention rates.
“This is the latest private contribution to our summer school
initiative,” said Chancellor Allision. “Since 2021, FSU has
received more than $3.1 million for the Free Summer School Program,
which speaks very strongly about our program’s success in helping
FSU students to finish.”
Emphasizing being a three-semester institution, FSU provides up
to seven free credit hours to students during the summer, which
helps students reach or exceed the number of credits needed to
progress to graduation. Additionally, completion assistance
programs within the UNC System are designed to help avoid students
dropping out due to financial shortfalls.
###
About Fayetteville State University:
Founded in 1867, Fayetteville State University is a constituent
institution of The University of North Carolina System and the
second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state.
FSU is a historically black university offering degrees at the
baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. With nearly 7,000
students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse
institutions in the nation. To learn more about Fayetteville State
University, visit www.uncfsu.edu.
- FSU Celebrates Record Summer School Enrollment and a $750,000
Donation
- Chancellor Darrell T. Allison Presents Special
Announcement
Devon Smith
Fayetteville State University
910-672-1709
dsmith153@uncfsu.edu