University students begin summer semester classes today after three weeks of an almost empty intersession.

“I think we will definitely see more students this week on campus,” said Jack Johnson, a continuing education specialist in the College of Continuing Education.

The University does not take enrollment counts until the last day of summer term, but Johnson estimates 16,000 students have enrolled for the session.

“That number will grow through the summer as more students register,” Johnson said.

This summer’s enrollment is comparable to last summer’s student body, which included 16,277
students.

Johnson said he believes smaller classes, a more informal setting and easier parking access make summer classes attractive and allow the opportunity to get to know classmates and professors better.

“I am going to graduate next semester and I wanted to get my general ed. classes out of the way so I could graduate without taking another full year of classes,” said Courtney Pederson, a fine arts major from Iowa State University who transferred for the summer.

This summer Pederson joined the 80 percent of University students who commute to campus for classes. She chose the University because of its accessibility and proximity to her parents’ residence.

Like Pederson, most summer students live at home and commute to campus, leaving the dorms sparsely populated.

Mannix Clark, assistant department director of housing and residential life, said 455 students lived in residential halls and the Roy Wilkins and University Village apartments during May intersession.

Clark said he anticipates 20 more students, most of whom are moving in now, for summer class
commencement.

In the almost-empty Espresso Expose on Washington Avenue, Sean Young, who has worked there for three and a half years, said business always slows down for the summer.

“The dorms are pretty much empty, so we don’t get nearly as much business,” Young said.

Businesses in Stadium Village rely on the residents of the Superblock and receive most of their annual income during the school year.

Anne Preller welcomes comments at [email protected]