A total of 14,359 students have enrolled for the winter 2001 semester, an increase of 522 students from winter 2000, making this Oakland's highest winter enrollment total ever.

The enrollment has increased 3.8 percent overall and 4.8 percent among undergraduates.

"Oakland University is fast becoming a top choice of students in this region and beyond," said OU President Gary D. Russi. "We've been in a growth period, adding programs and new facilities to meet market demands. Our winter 2001 enrollment reflects this continued growth and comes on the heels of surpassing our goal of 15,000 students in fall 2000."

Major renovations and improvements mark the most active construction period on campus since the university's establishment in the 1950s, Russi said. Over the last several years, Oakland opened a $37 million state-of-the-art Recreation and Athletic building, a $39 million Science and Engineering Building, a new Health Sciences facility and the $17.5 million Elliott Hall of Business and Information Technology. In addition, OU has added more than 25 new academic programs in the past four years.

The university also has undergone several student life enhancements in recent years. The Oakland Center, the university's student union, underwent a complete renovation, and the university moved to Division I athletics and changed its mascot to the Golden Grizzly. There are plans under way to begin building new state-of-the-art student apartments later this year.

Oakland University is a comprehensive state-supported institution of higher education located in Oakland County, Michigan. The university has 110 bachelor's degree programs and 63 graduate degree and certificate programs. Dedicated to preparing learners for the 21st-century workplace and society, Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing and the Honors College.