Clayton College & State

University is a part of that trend, having set another enrollment record

this semester, with 5,661 students. Indeed, since the fall 2001 semester,

Clayton State's enrollment has increased by 986 students (an amount

in excess of Clayton Junior College's entire enrollment when its

doors first opened in 1969), or just over 21 percent.

All of USG's record enrollment

increases suggest that comprehensive efforts toward "Creating a More

Educated Georgia" are paying notable dividends in providing increased

access to higher education. However, despite the increases, the University

System's allocation from the state reflects the lowest percentage

of the overall state budget since 1967 - 19 years before the average

fall 2003 freshman was born.

"We were anticipating

that our final numbers would reflect yet another record for student enrollment

in the University System of Georgia," said Chancellor Dr. Thomas

C. Meredith. "We more than met our projections. The demand on the

System continues to increase each year, as Georgians respond to our message

about the need for increasing educational attainment. It is clear that

appreciation for the value of higher education is on the rise in Georgia."

In addition, the average composite

SAT score - a combination of verbal and math scores - for first-time

freshmen rose to 1,036 this fall, a six-point increase over last year's

average score of 1,030. The average was 1,026 in 2001 and 1,021 in 2000.

Overall, the average composite SAT score for University System freshmen

shows a 15-point increase over this three-year period.

"The increase in SAT scores

reflects the University System's ongoing commitment to raising standards,"

noted Meredith. "Our campuses are continuing to attract Georgia's

best and brightest students even as we raise the bar of expectations for

academic performance. It is undeniable; our partnerships and our policies

are yielding dividends."

Clayton State is also one of

only 12 USG institutions with an average SAT score of 1,000 or higher:

- Armstrong Atlantic State

University, 1,024.

- Clayton College &

State University, 1,002.

- Georgia College &

State University, 1,088.

- Georgia Institute of

Technology, 1,325.

- Georgia Southern University,

1,056.

- Georgia State University,

1,080.

- Kennesaw State University,

1,047.

- North Georgia College

& State University, 1,074.

- Southern Polytechnic

State University, 1,105.

- State University of

West Georgia, 1,009.

- University of Georgia,

1,209.

- Valdosta State University,

1,017.

The full University System

of Georgia Fall 2003 Semester Enrollment Report

is available at www.usg.edu/admin/sra/students/sat/sat_fall03avg.pdf.