Utah's colleges and universities will have to decide whether their glass is half full or half empty as fall enrollment is significantly up at a time when higher education is facing budget cuts.

This year's fall enrollment rose by 11,896 students, an increase of 8.48 percent, from fall 2007.

The poor economy, a different way of counting enrollment and a recent push in the importance of a college degree all are contributing factors to the increase, said higher education commissioner William Sederburg.

The rise in enrollment will be a "significant challenge" for colleges and universities in light of recent state budget cuts, he said. "I think it puts a real squeeze play on the institutions." Higher education is facing $33 million in cuts due to a state revenue shortfall. With the enrollment increase, the institutions also will have to absorb $15 million in costs, Sederburg said.

Presidents of colleges and universities agreed not to raise tuition right now to accommodate the recent budget cuts. What happens in the upcoming months when annual tuition rates are hashed out is yet to be seen.

To meet the freshly added demand of more students, while facing a 4 percent budget cut, some institutions may leave positions vacant; offer fewer classes and advisers; and turn to adjunct professors.

Enrollment counts are deciphered in two different ways. First, there is the student head count, which includes every student taking even one class. Then there is the budget-related full-time equivalent count. This approximates the number of students enrolled full-time (15 semester hours for undergraduate students and 10 semester hours for graduate students) per semester. The FTE rose by 2,717 for fall 2008 as compared to the previous year.

Sederburg said higher education is the solution, not the problem. More people with education and skills will help Utah's economic base.

In an economic downturn, many people opt for education. Returning students make up a large percentage of this year's enrollment increase, Sederburg said.

Salt Lake Community College had an increase of 4,722 students, many of whom are in career and technical training classes.

Higher education officials encouraged colleges and universities to include their concurrent enrollment numbers into the mix this year.

Weber State University experienced an enrollment increase of 3,368.

"Concurrent enrollment is a high priority for WSU because it serves the needs of area students and local school districts," said WSU Provost Michael Vaughan. Other contributing factors include online enrollment increases and a marketing campaign at Weber State.

Higher education officials have been pushing their college-degree stance. "I like to believe the message from church and civic leaders about the value of education" contributed to the enrollment increase, Sederburg said.

Utah Valley University's enrollment rose by 2,856 students, which is nearly 12 percent.

"To have that kind of growth in one year is phenomenal," said Liz Hitch, UVU interim vice president.

Some of that growth is due to retention as well as transfer students, she said.

Utah State University enrollment was down by 496 students from the previous year. In 2007, USU experienced the highest enrollment the school has ever had, with this year being the second highest enrollment for the university in its 120 years.

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E-mail: astewart@desnews.com