For the second time in two years, Cal State Fullerton's spring enrollment has surged beyond fall figures with a record high 28,851 students - the most ever enrolled at CSUF.

The census, tallied by the offices of Admissions and Records and Analytical Studies, includes nearly 500 more students than were enrolled in the fall.

This historic high continues a trend that began in fall 1995. Since then, the university has broken enrollment records for five consecutive fall semesters and back-to-back spring semesters.

"The campus is certainly feeling the effects of Tidal Wave II," said Dr. Ephraim P. Smith, vice president for academic affairs, referring to the surge in college enrollment predicted in the late 1980s. "We've noticed growth at all grade levels and a sharp increase in fall applications. I would encourage all students - those planning to enter the university as freshmen or graduates and those transferring from community college - to apply as soon as possible."

The full-time-equivalent student (FTES) count of 21,003 also is a record high. In addition, 2001 marks the first time a spring FTES count has exceeded that recorded in the fall. One FTE equals 15 units of student course work and is the basis for allocating state funding to the campus. In last fall's census, the university recorded 20,701 FTES.