While there may be a decline in admissions, this article discusses a decline in % enrollment. This is similar to talking about the decreasing average height of

While there may be a decline in admissions, this article discusses a decline in % enrollment. This is similar to talking about the decreasing average height of Americans: you need to account for the change in demographics over time. It's entirely possible that the groups who made up college enrollment in 1972 are still showing up in the same % in English departments. I suggest that the increase in public school enrollment corresponds to college becoming attractive/available to a wider group. I'd suggest looking at the enrollment patterns of people who are the first in their family to attend college--it seems like they would concentrate on the "sounds good" majors like business more than English.