MUNCIE, Ind. -- Evidence is mounting that the decision by Ball State University last year to raise entrance requirements is paying dividends in the classroom.

University officials reported Wednesday the number of students who qualified for the Dean’s List with an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the fall semester increased almost 5 percent this year. Nearly 3,000 students earned the academic honor last semester compared with 2,860 in 1998.

At the same time, the number of students who failed to make passing grades in the fall and were academically disqualified dropped almost 20 percent from 834 to 674. The number of students on academic probation also dropped significantly from 1,701 students last fall to 1,416 this fall.

"Better students making better grades and experiencing greater success in the classroom is very good news," said Douglas McConkey, vice president for student affairs. "It also sends a strong message to high school students that they must be prepared for more demanding academic standards if they want to attend this state university."

Ball State instituted tougher admission requirements for last fall’s entering class. The action resulted in a 27-point increase in average SAT scores for entering freshmen last fall and a jump from 3 to 13 in the number of National Merit Scholars and National Achievement Scholars in the freshman class.

The university Board of Trustees last month reaffirmed the decision to become more selective following Gov. Frank O’Bannon’s plan to create a statewide community college system involving Ivy Tech State College and Vincennes University.

Admissions officials said they hope the totals will increase again next year.

(Note to Editors: For more information about this story contact Douglas McConkey at (765) 285-1444.)