Kent State’s campus may feel crowded with students housed in lounges, but the recently reported enrollment statistics show that this year is not much different from the past.

The university welcomed 4,252 new students to campus this year, a 0.6% increase from 2023, said Collin Palmer, associate vice president of enrollment management.

Housing students in lounges might actually be the university readjusting to the return of pre-COVID circumstances.

“We did see a higher number of first-year students wishing to live on campus this year, but we also saw a higher number of returning students wanting to live on campus again,” Director of Residence Life Leah Shaw said. “We’re getting back to our pre-COVID numbers.”

But, as vacancies are confirmed in dorms, Shaw confirmed students in lounges are quickly getting assigned to traditional rooms.

The university did not over-admit students, but there was an increase in the number of applications to KSU, so a higher number of applicants are being admitted, Palmer explained.

“This is not the largest class to enroll at KSU, but it is the largest since 2019 and one of the largest in the history of KSU,” he said. “We are also up in new transfer student enrollment.”

Freshman psychology major Mia Watkins is both overwhelmed and happy with the amount of people on campus.

“I don’t feel like the campus is too crowded for the size of it,” Watkins said. “There definitely is a decent amount of people here. I think being around this many people is beneficial for me since I’ve been an introvert most of my life, and it’s making me get out of my comfort zone more than I used to.”

Junior digital media production student Daylon Brown lives off-campus but has noticed a bit of a change on campus.

“I will say I do feel like there are just so many more people here than the years before,” Brown said. “It can be difficult to find seating especially now, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything crazy.”

Even with the increase in students on campus, Palmer does not anticipate significant changes to admission requirements or the admission process for fall 2025.

Brown has noticed crowding specifically in the dining areas, relaxation spots around campus and at the Recreation and Wellness Center: “Just all around a lot more lively,” he said. Even so, he enjoys it.

“You know, I think I am really happy with the liveliness of campus because at least for me, that’s so many more people you may get to meet and learn their stories,” Brown said. “The more the merrier for me.”

Lauren Cohen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].