It means ASU has a stinky freshman retention rate and they are trying to boost it with good students. I'll never forget the difference between applying to BYU v ASU. BYU: "give us essays, transcripts, and a church leader ok and we'll look at you." ASU: "prove you're an AZ resident, otherwise pay out of state tuition."
As a side note there were over 2,500 students enrolled in institute when I went there.