TOPEKA, Kan. — Preliminary figures released today by the Kansas Board of Regents show a slight increase at state universities and a small decrease in systemwide enrollment of full-time equivalent (FTE) students.

“While enrollment results this year are mixed, the Board continues to look at ways we can help more Kansans advance their education beyond high school,” said Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. “Increasing the number of Kansans who earn a certificate or degree helps increase earnings for families and helps our businesses thrive.”

Across the six state universities, there was an increase of 95 FTE students (0.13 percent) compared to the preliminary census day count in 2017.

Increased enrollment was seen at Emporia State University (25 FTE students; 0.57 percent), Fort Hays State University (190 FTE students; 2.05 percent), Kansas State University (102 FTE students; 0.54 percent), and Wichita State University (176 FTE students; 1.58 percent).

Pittsburg State University saw a decrease in the number of enrollments (248 FTE students; -3.98 percent), as did the University of Kansas (151 FTE students; -0.62 percent). Washburn University, the state’s municipal university, also had decreased enrollment (79 FTE students; -1.28 percent).

Please click here for preliminary fall enrollment figures for each institution.

In the two-year sector, enrollment was down across the state’s 19 community colleges with a reported decrease of 1,112 FTE students (-2.60 percent). Enrollment increased across the state’s technical colleges, where an additional 289 FTE students (5.26 percent) are enrolled this fall compared to the preliminary census day count in 2017.

The Board of Regents opted this summer to transition from the traditional 20th-day headcount metric to a full-time equivalency metric for 2018. This change will provide uniform data across the system to the Board, to leaders from across the system, and to the public. The headcount model no longer provides the best analysis of current enrollment patterns. For example, in Academic Year 2017, 63 percent of students were enrolled on a part-time basis.

Full-time equivalency is calculated by dividing the total number of undergraduate credit hours taken in a semester by 15 and graduate credit hours by 12.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a second suspect in custody.

Just after 1:30 a.m. September 18, officers responded to a report of a shooting at Abigail’s, 3701 SW Plaza Drive in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.

Upon arrival, officers were unable to locate a victim, but did locate numerous shell casings and firearms in the parking lot and street.

While investigating this incident a man identified as 34-year-old Damario Brooks arrived at a local hospital with what was to be determined a critical gunshot wound. Officers were able to get a brief statement from the victim.

On Monday, police reported the arrest of 31-year-old  Damon R. Glass in connection to the shooting.

On September 20, police reported Damien S. Arterberry-Riley was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on aggravated battery charges in connection with the shooting.

The funeral service for Felix K. Flores, 21, Manhattan,  was held Sunday in Stamford, Texas. Flores, who served as a Geary County corrections officer, died as a result of a shooting incident on September 22nd in Manhattan. He was off-duty at the time of the incident.

According to Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf a delegation comprised of jail staff and two deputies from the Sheriff’s Department attended the funeral service. He also reported that a memorial service for Flores will also be held in Junction City this  Saturday, October 6th at 2 p.m. at the Flint Hills Church at 337 West 7th Street.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to a non-injury accident at mile marker 301 I-70 in the east bound lane just after 11:15 a.m. Saturday. The site is about three miles east of Junction City.

Christopher Selfridge, Ft. Riley, was traveling eastbound in his 2005 Honda Accord when he was unable to stop before striking a 2005 Honda Pilot operated by Caleb Strahm, Sabetha. No one was injured. The Honda Accord was removed by Homestead Wrecker and the Honda Pilot by the driver.

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Deputies responded to the 9000 block of Old Highway 77 for a non-injury accident at 6:20 a.m. Monday.

Daniel Mccumber, Milford, was driving his 2017 Dodge Ram pickup when a deer entered the roadway. Mccumber was unable to avoid striking the deer with the pickup. Mccumber was not injured.

The USD 475 Board of Education will consider the superintendent’s profile for a new promotional flyer that will be used in the search for a new superintendent of schools in Geary USD 475.

The Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Devin Center. The agenda also includes an item to approve and appoint Board member(s) to work with district staff to determine acceptable construction materials and furnishings for the new high school.

The formal groundbreaking for the new high school project on the west side of Junction City is scheduled Friday at 2:30 p.m.

The program for this year’s Geary County Historical Society annual meeting will be about “The Kansas City Monarchs in Junction City,” presented by Phil Dixon. He will discuss the early barnstorming days of that acclaimed Negro Leagues team.

The meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. November 12th.  It includes a dinner for $15 while the program is free and open to the public. Call the museum at 785-238-1666 to reserve your seat by Nov, 8.