University of Washington Tacoma has achieved record enrollment for the 2008-09 school year with a headcount of 2,965 students, according to university officals. The university boasts 2,400 undergraduate students, 515 graduate students and 50 non-matriculated students. The total enrollment last year, in autumn 2007, was 2,653.

In 2006, the university began admitting freshmen and sophomores for the first time in its 18-year history. UW Tacoma is observing the largest enrollment growth among juniors and seniors. This year’s junior class totals 1,222, compared to 1,020 in autumn 2007. The senior class numbers 660, compared to 621 last fall.

The nearly 12 percent growth in UW Tacoma enrollment is in line with a proposal to expand access to the University of Washington. In July, UW President Mark Emmert approached the UW Board of Regents with a plan to grow the UW freshmen class by 1,700 students in 10 years. Under Emmert’s proposal, total enrollment across the UW’s three campuses would increase by approximately 8,000 students: 2,400 in Seattle; 2,250 students in Bothell; and 3,350 more students in Tacoma. Undergraduates would represent roughly three-quarters (or 6,000 students) of the overall increased enrollment; graduate and professional student enrollment would rise by 2,000, totaling 14,800 across all three campuses.

This is the university’s third year as a four-year institution. Of the 266 freshman enrolled at UW Tacoma, 186 are new students this year. For the first time, limited housing is available to students at Court 17 (Market and 17th streets). Emmert’s enrollment proposal coincides with plans to develop additional on-campus housing at UW Tacoma, as well as other facilities typically found at four-year schools.