The University has determined to permanently move census day from the 20th to 25th (i.e., 4th to 5th week) for the fall and spring semesters, like we did for fall 2020. Summer will remain 2nd week. There are multiple reasons for this but the primary is that as we increase in high school dual credit students, and now that a Missouri statute requires school districts’ opening date be no earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September (moving high school start dates back), we would be missing the opportunity to count a growing percentage of our dual credit students if we remained with the 20th day. We have researched this thoroughly and communicated with the MDHEWD, resulting with no State, accrediting, etc. requirements that would rule out this decision.
Please help spread the word by forwarding this to others who may need to know. Also, if you have questions, concerns, or can think of any adjustments we need to make going forward, please contact enrollment@missouristate.edu.
Thanks!
Rob Hornberger
Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Services