Class of ’09 Starts at UNM; More Than 1,000 Freshmen Enroll in Classes Tailored for Beginning Students

Students munched free ice cream served by President Louis Caldera and navigated campus displays hawking everything from cell phones to graduate degree programs.

Monday marked the first day of classes at the University of New Mexico, with a near-record enrollment of about 26,000 students.

More than a third of the record freshman class of 3,100 is enrolled in classes tailored to the needs of beginning college students.

"It’s kind of intimidating going in as a freshman," said Jacque Delora, 18, as she relaxed with a friend Monday afternoon beside the UNM duck pond.

Delora, who plans to study dentistry, was initially unable to enroll in Biology 123 for health science majors, which fills quickly each semester.

As an alternative, an adviser suggested Delora enroll in a "freshman interest group" that reserves 25 seats for freshmen in Biology 123 and a related lab course. The students also attend a one- credit tutoring group that meets once a week and allows freshmen to study together.

"It’s a nice support group, and you get the classes you need," Delora said.

About 460 freshmen are enrolled in such interest groups this fall, said Peter White, dean of University College.

Freshmen interest groups are among the programs that encourage a small group of first-year students to attend class and study together.

The idea is to provide "an alternative to large lecture classes," White said. "It is much more likely to actively engage the student in his or her education."

About 1,300 freshmen are enrolled in some type of freshmen- oriented classes, White said. Regents earmarked $450,000 in UNM’s budget this year to pay for the classes.