At this university, everything goes back to enrollment.

On Saturday, the admissions office went above and beyond to attract prospective students to Midwestern in hopes of putting a band-aid over the low-enrollment wound.

We are pleased that administration is taking new and fresh steps to bring enrollment up and we tip our hats to university president Jesse Rogers for admitting, repeatedly, that MSU does have a problem.

But what is the solution?

Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said communication on a more personal level with prospects is the new recruiting goal.

The admissions office is also communicating directly with students by phone to recruit. This personal approach does make MSU more student-friendly, but this is something they should’ve been doing for years.

It is no secret that compared to the University of Texas or Texas Tech, that Midwestern is way behind when it comes to a lot of things, especially recruiting.

Enrollment has been a problem for years, yet this is the first year the university has decided to hire a direct-marketing firm.

It is obvious the administration is getting desperate, maybe even grasping at straws.

Our university budget depends deeply on how many students are enrolled each semester. According to Rogers about 43 percent of the university’s operating cost come from students.

The university is obviously  taking steps to boost enrollment, but what if they don’t work?

It’s not like the president and vice presidents are going to take a pay cut instead of raising tuition or lowering  faculty  and staff salaries.

To put it frankly, if the administration doesn’t find out the root of the enrollment problem, we – the students – are ultimately going to suffer.

If enrollment continues to decrease, we are sure tuition will be the first to raise. Sure there are talks of a tuition freeze, but even if this does happen that doesn’t mean they can’t increase fees.

Students complain now about a $50 parking permit. We might have to start paying UNT parking permit prices of $135.

Low enrollment also translates to having less money to upgrade building. Unfortunately not every building on campus looks as put together as Dillard College or McCoy.

The Christ Academy remodel is supposed to be the new home for Fain Fine Arts, but if low enrollment continues there is no doubt that this project will be pushed back.

Another year of outdated software and equipment for mass communication majors.

Could lowing faculty salaries be next?

Midwestern already has a problem with lack of student involvement on campus. Low enrollment could further damage the lack of diversity on campus and ultimately the college experience.

If worse comes to worst, the Texas Higher Education Board might suggest Midwestern State University become University of Texas – Wichita Falls.

These are of course extremes, but students need to be aware that this could happen if the powers at be at MSU don’t find a solution.

Due to the amount of anonymous letters received this semester, it is obvious the faculty and staff understand that we have a problem and are continuing to have their voices be heard.

The administration needs to be held accountable for their actions and that cannot happen if students aren’t informed.

Instead of there being whispers in the Hardin building about a possible baseball team, maybe they should spending more time focusing on enrollment.

It is obvious that administrators like Rogers and Lamb are serious about the university’s enrollment problems and are taking action, but is it too little too late?

Time will tell if all the money spent on direct mail, social media, new portal system and website, emails and the cost of a direct-marketing firm was worth in next fall when beginning freshman come to campus.