At first glance, the number seems unexciting, 0.1 percent growth in Georgia Southern University’s enrollment, from 20,516 students in fall semester 2013 to 20,542 this fall, a gain of just 26 students. But it is a change in direction after a 57-student, 0.3 percent decrease in enrollment the previous year, from the peak so far of 20,574 students in 2012. And while the University System of Georgia saw a 1.1 percent enrollment growth overall, 13 of its 31 colleges and universities have fewer students this fall than a year ago.