By Carrie Pond
Clarksville, TN – It looks as if enrollment at two regional institutions won't be affected by the down economy. Austin Peay State University provost Tristan Denley says applications are up 16 percent and the first two summer welcome sessions were well-attended. That leaves Denley estimating an overall 4 percent enrollment increase this fall. In a recent report Murray State recruitment officials indicated enrollment numbers were down during the spring semester. Students cited finances as a reason for not returning. But preliminary reports show growth in several areas for the fall semester, including a 16 percent jump in freshman enrollment. MSU's final enrollment numbers will be available in October.