University of Iowa enrollment down

Fall enrollment at the University of Iowa in Iowa City dropped slightly this year. Steve Parrott, a spokesman for the U-of-I, says total enrollment was 28-thousand-311 — a drop of 535 compared to the fall of 1999. Parrott says the drop is not a concern, as it shows progress in helping students graduate.Parrott says the decrease is due to the University’s program to help students graduate in four years. He says the number of undergrads getting their degree in four years has increased two percent. Parrott says the U-of-I’s graduation guarantee has proven successful.The University guarantees students who sign a pledge to graduate in four years that they’ll get the courses they need. If they have to stay longer than four years, the University says it will pay for their tuition. Parrott says they haven’t had to make any pledge payouts yet. The two other state-supported universities set enrollment records this fall. The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls reported fall enrollment of 13-thousand-774. Iowa State University in Ames reported fall enrollment of 26-thousand-845.