Next August, there will be an influx of new students on campus.  More students are applying and being accepted for next semester now more than ever.

“We are up 89 percent in enrollment (applications),” WSU President Bardo said, “Shocker Hall has been crucial in getting traditional students interested, and it’s going to change student life here on campus.”

Bardo said the admission rate for applicants is 41 percent.

He was a commuter student at WSU, which was a huge motivator for him to improve student life.

“I would come back to campus for events at night,” Bardo said. “We’ll still have our commuter students. But having 1,000 students at the heart of the university is going to affect student life greatly.”

Bardo said he thinks more students are coming to campus because of the new direction.

“My relationship with the university has helped me get things done,” Bardo said. “Problems WSU has are not new to me, and we’re trying to provide the best college experience for our students.”

Bardo said Shocker Hall will be “state of the art” and not cost any more than other universities. And he thinks incoming students realize that.

Freshman Maggie Wiggins said her friends are enthusiastic about moving into Shocker Hall next semester to have a “normal” college experience.

“Many of my friends are coming over here,” Wiggins said. “I live in Fairmount Towers, but I’d like to live over there because of how cool it’s going to be and to be with all my new friends.”

Wiggins also thinks that more seniors from her high school are coming to WSU than her graduating class because of the campus changes.

Wiggins is not the only current student wanting to live in Shocker Hall. Sophomore Kori Visor is a tour guide for WSU. She sees first-hand the excitement potential students have as they go on tours with her.

“I’m selling this to freshman and it’s not hard,” Visor said. “I’m jealous because it’s going to be so unique and new.”

Visor said freshman coming through are amazed at the opportunities and she’s not surprised enrollment is up.

“A culture change has happened at the university,” said Katie Austin, director of housing. “We are evolving and constantly coming out with new programs. I think we will continue to grow and maintain students.”

Austin said the relationship with the campus police department has helped tremendously in making students feel safe, and that incidents in the neighborhood surrounding WSU have subsided.

“We do live in a city,” Austin said. “But with continued programs to help our students be aware of their surroundings and the installation of blue lights, we encourage our students to be safe, but we haven’t had any big problems in a long time.”

On April 11, there will be a tour of the WSU main campus. Many professors and departments will open their doors to freshman and transfer students. Shocker Hall is scheduled to open its doors in early August.