Applications up at Southern U.

Southern University report increases in the number of those applying to join the schools’ freshman classes next year.

It is the first increase in applications since before last year’s two hurricanes.

Southern University is up solidly from last year, while nearing its pre-Katrina application influx, said Tracie Abraham, executive director of admissions and recruitment.

Students still have until July 1 to apply, so they should not stress too much.

Southern is aiming to increase its enrollment 5-10 percent each of the next few years, Abraham said.

Right now, Southern is looking at an increase of nearly 5 percent, she said.

Southern have committed to more across-the-state and out-of-state recruiting in order to compensate for the post-hurricane perceptions some still hold.