After generations of being a minority on college campuses, women -- both at ASU and nationwide -- have become the dominant sex.
In the last 10 years, the enrollment gap between men and women has widened at ASU, with women now accounting for more than 53 percent of the student population.
According to the University Office of Institutional Analysis, 32,298 women, or 52.9 percent of ASU students, enrolled at the University during fall 2005.
During fall 1994, 23,308 women, or 50.9 percent, were enrolled.
Of the 7,719 first-year freshmen that enrolled at ASU in fall 2004, 53.8 percent were women.
Although more females enrolled than males, admissions are based strictly on academic records, said Marisa Synington, executive assistant to the dean of undergraduate admissions.
"We are equal opportunity," she said. "We don't go out of our way to cater to a specific gender."
Nationwide, the gap between genders is even wider.
The latest survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 56 percent of college students nationwide were women.
The Center estimates that by 2013, seven males will attend college for every 10 females.
Architecture freshman Marshall Norris is not surprised more women are attending college, but is surprised the gap could get larger.
"I know a lot of guys slack off, but it's not the college's fault. They offer groups to try to help out," Norris said in reference to classes such as UNI 100, designed to help first-year students adjust to university life.
Journalism sophomore Chelsea Liem said ASU should stay out of gender discussions.
"If they try to balance [all admissions guidelines] then they should look at gender," she said. "But otherwise, they shouldn't get involved in stuff like that."
Jim Rund, Vice President of University Undergraduate Initiatives, said ASU is not worried about the gender gap.
Rund said if ASU were ever to become concerned, steps would be taken to fix the situation.
"If we saw a decline in any minority -- race, sex, ethnicity -- we would take a serious look at problems," he said.
Reach the reporter at kristi.eaton@asu.edu.
