A recently released report considered the impact of increased admission criteria on admissions and enrollment, particularly for students of color. The Nevada System of Higher Education report closed with this conclusion for the University of Nevada, Reno:

"Admissions and enrollments of students of color do not appear to be impacted by the increase in university admission criteria for fall 2006. The University's black and Asian/Pacific Islander applicants, as well as admitted and enrolled students, experienced an increase from fall 2005 to fall 2006, while slight declines were seen for Hispanics. The actual number of all applicants from fall 2005 to fall 2006 declined for only whites and Hispanic students."

Since fall 2006, students seeking admission to the University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas have been required to have a least a 2.75 high school grade point average (GPA) in 13 required core courses, an increase from the previous 2.5 overall grade point average requirement. In fall 2008, the GPA requirement is again scheduled to increase from 2.75 to 3.0 in the 13 core courses.

Another factor potentially impacting admissions and enrollment is the changing eligibility requirements for the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. In fall 2005 the initial eligibility requirement increased from a GPA of 3.0 to 3.1, and the GPA requirement will go to 3.25 in fall 2007.

The report noted a more pronounced impact on enrollment at UNLV, where enrollment of all ethnic groups declined, except for whites. This, coupled with a decline in total enrollment, prompted UNLV David Ashley to call for postponing the further increase in admission requirements planned for next year. Nevada President Milt Glick has indicated he will support Ashley's proposal, which is slated to be considered by the Board of Regents at their Aug. 16-17 meeting. If the postponement is approved, it would apply to both universities.

Although a slight decline in was experienced in the enrollment of first-time, freshmen Hispanic students, this past year the University had the highest total enrollment of Hispanic students in its history.