Recruitment of Entomology Undergraduates: An Example from Texas Tech University

Abstract

Texas Tech University is one of the four largest state-supported, multipurpose universities in Texas (total enrollment, Spring 1983, was 21,226), and it attracts students from throughout the state, especially from the west Texas region. Although not the land grant university, Texas Tech provides a comprehensive agricultural curriculum through the College of Agricultural Sciences. The Department of Entomology is one of eight departments in the College and offers the Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science, and Master of Agriculture degrees. As part of a university whose stated missions (by priority) are teaching, research, and service, the department must continue to attract undergraduate students to survive. Four regular faculty cannot be supported solely by a yearly graduate enrollment of twenty-two (Spring 1983). The need to attract undergraduate students is certainly not unique to Texas Tech. However, the importance of maintaining a high undergraduate-to-graduate student ratio is probably less critical to entomology departments at land grant institutions. Texas Tech has been among the leaders nationally for undergraduate enrollment in entomology; however, in view of decreasing populations nationwide, it is clear that no university or department can well afford to take enrollment for granted. Surely an institution's reputation and the individuals it produces are the fundamental factors which promote its future. But departments are also finding recruitment efforts more important than before in maintaining or in expanding educational programs.