University of Missouri sees climb in freshman enrollment

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri says enrollment for the incoming freshman class is up more than 14 percent from this time last year.

The Columbia Missourian reports that nearly 4,550 students have paid enrollment deposits so far. Enrollment will remain open over the summer.

The forecast figure has surpassed the 2017 first-time student enrollment of fewer than 4,200, but it's still under the peak of nearly 6,200 in 2015.

Officials partly attribute the enrollment decrease to negative publicity during the fall 2015 student protests over racial issues that led to the resignations of a former system president and chancellor. Administrators also cite a decline in high school graduates.