University of Missouri Columbia campus not alone in enrollment struggles - ALAN BURDZIAK, Tribune

The University of Missouri’s flagship Columbia campus is not the only of its four branches facing a drop in enrollment, with officials at the St. Louis campus expecting 500 fewer students this fall. The University of Missouri-Kansas City projects fall enrollment to be flat or to slightly increase from the 16,600 students who attended last year. Interim MU Chancellor Hank Foley has attributed the anticipated decrease of about 2,600 students to numerous factors, including fewer high school graduates in the state, Illinois public universities accepting more students and a hit the university’s reputation took after turmoil that began last summer. Officials at the St. Louis campus similarly point to several reasons for the loss of students. Bob Samples, associate vice chancellor of communications at UMSL, said his campus will suffer from fewer high school graduates both nationally as well as in Missouri. Enrollment decreases at nearby community colleges also contributed. http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/education/turmoil_at_mu/university-of-missouri-columbia-campus-not-alone-in-enrollment-struggles/article_d5d62665-6596-5fa3-932f-84ca11e3abfc.html