As the winter quarter begins at Ohio University Southern, nearly 200 new students will be hitting the classrooms to continue one of the university's best years of growth in recent memory.

"As of Friday we had 193 new students," Kim Lawson, director of enrollment services at OUS, said. "This is an enormous increase for a winter quarter which is not typically when you see new students."

The new quarter begins today and university officials are excited by the continued enrollment boost that actually began with more than 600 new students enrolling in the fall quarter.

Serving as enrollment director in the admissions department for the last four years and with OUS for the last 10, Lawson said this is the best two quarter enrollment increase that she can remember.

"What we are seeing is an increase in traditional students," she said. "Part of that is people are realizing that Ohio University is a top-notch University -- the oldest in Ohio and the first in the Northwest Territory."

"OU has a rich history and students know they are getting a high-quality education in a small friendly environment where people know their names."

Lawson said the university has seen more full-time degree-seeking students and the increase may also be attributed to students preparing for the nursing program that will begin in the fall and is very selective.

Another contributing factor came in November when the Tuition Reciprocity Agreement was adopted to provide in-state tuition

and offer more degree options to allow students from 13 Kentucky and Ohio counties to pay in-state tuition at the six participating schools regardless of which state they live in.

Schools included in the agreement are Ashland Community College, Ashland Technical College, Morehead State University-Ashland Campus, Ohio University Southern, Rio Grande Community College and Shawnee State University.

Eligible counties are Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis and Mason counties in Kentucky and Adams, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto counties in Ohio.

"We had said all along that reciprocity will help everyone," she said. "People in this community are blessed with educational opportunities, but there seemed to be some fake boundaries. Our community really includes Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia."

Lawson said people in the Tri-State are understanding the message of OUS and are committed to higher education.

"As we continue to offer new programs, enrollment should continue to increase."