By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Northern Kentucky University hasn't had a stellar record on keeping students or having them graduate, President James Votruba admits.

But in his "State of the University" speech Friday, he vowed that will change - thanks mostly to higher admission standards.

The standards, a possible jump to Division Iand the state budget impasse were a few topics Votruba addressed at the fall convocation to a crowd of nearly 700 at Greaves Concert Hall.

Votruba started with good news: Enrollment will be at an all-time high this year, at roughly 14,300 when school starts Monday. That's about 2 percent higher than last year. But he quickly jumped to 2005 and beyond, talking about next year's admission standards.

"We will no longer admit students who, in our judgment, stand very little chance of succeeding at the university," said Votruba.

The school posted the lowest graduation rate of all Kentucky public universities in 2003.

In 2005, students will have to achieve an ACT composite score of 19 and a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. The minimum ACT composite requirement will be increased to 20 in 2006.

"Raising the standards had to happen," said Andy Hixson, a junior and student member of the Board of Regents who voted for the raise this summer. "Why should we allow students to come in and pay tuition when they only have a 4 percent chance of graduating?"

Had the new standards been in place in 2003, about 240 students would have been turned away. That would have meant a loss of almost $1.3 million in tuition.

But that revenue loss is a risk Votruba is willing to take.

"There's a lot of pressure at universities to produce revenue, and that can override who is likely to succeed and who isn't," said Votruba. "I'd rather deal with the financial difficulties."

Votruba remained optimistic.

He said he doesn't expect a loss in students or revenue. And he said the university will open the NKU Academy next summer - an intense, five-week program that will help students gain admission.

NKU leaders are also meeting with elementary and secondary school leaders about raising their standards so students are prepared for NKU.

Votruba also talked about the plan to build a 10,000-seat special events arena, which he expects will open by 2008.

With the arena comes talk of moving from Division II to Division I. Votruba said discussions will begin this year, but it would have to be right for the school academically.

"The key is the conference affiliation," said Votruba.

Votruba's speech was tempered with comments about the budget impasse in Frankfort.

NKU has historically received less state funding than other universities. Annual tuition jumped from $3,744 last year to $4,368 this year. It was $1,800 a decade ago and $2,754 in 2000.

"Rep. Jon Draud, R-Edgewood, an NKU instructor and former Ludlow superintendent, believes funding will get fixed.

"The governor is strongly supporting us," said Draud. "We just have to get a House and Senate that can agree and it will all fall into place."

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E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com