N.C. Central University’s 2003 freshmen class — with 1,052 students — has broken new ground as the largest in school history.

This brings over-all student enrollment to an all- time high. According to the 2003 NCCU census, a total of 7,191 students are now enrolled.

This represents a 10.3 percent increase from last year’s total of 6,519 students and 843 freshmen.

Last year’s enrollment was also record breaking for NCCU with a 13.3 percent increase in student population.

Recent enrollment growth placed NCCU second in the rate of growth in the UNC system just behind Winston-Salem State University.

The last class to be close to this capacity was in 1989 with 999 freshmen enrolled.

According to Jocelyn Foy, director of undergraduate admissions, one reason for the growth is the introduction of high school receptions as a recruiting tool. She said the receptions are popular and offer “a more personal touch.”

Foy also credited NCCU’s popularity to a recent influx of media coverage which includes the recently redesigned official website that students are using to apply online.

“NCCU is also featured in newspapers, magazines and television,” said Foy.

“The alumni are also getting involved. Students have friends, and they too want to be part of the excitement.”

But the excitement of a growing campus has its repercussions.

Many classes are loaded to capacity, which can lead to difficulties not easy to adjust to.

Leon Hardy, associate professor of math/computer sciences, said the packed classrooms can produce stress for students.

“Larger classes reduce student-teacher contact,” said Hardy. “Smaller classes allow more interaction with students and it’s easier to circulate the classroom.”

Not only are class sizes bigger, but course sections have been added. Last fall, there were 41 English Composition I sections holding 22 students at most.

This year that number has increased to 46 sections, including two online courses, with at least 25 students in each.

Housing, in particular, has been a problem because of the unexpected closing of the Univ-ersity’s newest dormitories, New Residence Hall buildings 1 and 2.

These closings, added to a shortage of campus housing, have forced 900 students to live in hotels and apartments off campus.

Tim Brown, director of captial projects for NCCU, has told the Herald-Sun that construction of the dormitory to replace Baynes Residence Hall, originally scheduled to open in August 2004, will be delayed until November or December 2004.

Yet, with these rapid changes in student enrollment, many feel that NCCU can grapple with recent growth.