Despite an upcoming seventh consecutive semester of record enrollment expected by the Admissions Office, UTM dropped one spot in the 2007 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” ranking, falling from 20th to tie for 21st in the category of master’s level public universities in the South.

UTM remains in the top tier of the rankings, as it is defined by the national news magazine.

Bud Grimes, UTM director of University Relations, said while exact enrollment numbers will not be known until mid-September, early figures indicate fall’s enrollment could increase by 200 to 250 students.

That increase would signify a 2-4 percent increase over last fall’s 6,484 students.

Grimes cited the lottery scholarship, along with increased numbers of returning students, as reasons for the increase in students. However, Grimes said with a growing student body size comes additional challenges, such as maintaining consistency and instruction quality.

“Quality classroom instruction is the major concern as student numbers increase. Some faculty members are teaching more sections, and the university has been able to hire nine new faculty members for this academic year,” Grimes said.

“Growth brings certain challenges, but increased student numbers also indicate that UT Martin is filling a great need in this region by providing high-quality undergraduate and graduate education,” Grimes said.

Housing also poses a concern with more students.

With McCord Hall’s demolition already underway, the UTM Office of Housing has done away with the $500 buy-out fee for sophomers to live off-campus. The fee is still required for freshman who choose to live off-campus, however. McCord housed more than 500 beds before it was closed to make room for a new dorm complex to take its place.

Amid campus changes, UTM’s ranking fell a spot in the annual regional rankings by U.S. News and World Report, but university officials are quick to note the 2007 ranking of 21st is still up from 23rd, where UTM finished two years ago.

UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan said despite the slip, UTM is still showing improvment, and is not even sure there is much difference between last year’s ranking and this year’s.

“I haven’t done a complete analysis on [whether there’s a significant difference]. I consider it pretty good to be in that first level of schools, whether you’re 19th, 21st or 29th,” said Chancellor Nick Dunagan.

Dunagan added there is a division of opinions as to the relevancy of the ratings, saying, however, that he was still glad UTM is in the top tier of schools.

The yearly report ranks colleges based on surveys completed by the institutions and other sources. Retention, peer assessment, student selectivity and financial resources are some of the categories considered.

“Regardless of what the ratings might be, we’ll try to make UTM better,” said Dunagan.

Dunagan said that while the ratings can be a valuable tool, they are not the final word on universities, as parents use them more than students do.

“I can see the difference between a fourth-tier school and a top-tier school. But, I don’t think there’s just much difference between 20th or 21st place.”