OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Only Freshmen

With the increased awareness of the need to nurture incoming freshmen, the administration has announced that the Fall 2006 freshmen class will most likely have a summer semester offered to them. The semester will be seven weeks long, starting in mid-June and ending at the same time as the normal summer semester. The various core classes ranging from GT1000 to general chemistry are expected to draw 300-400 students.

There is a wide range of advantages to this program; it could help ease students into college life, help some get ahead or give more personal attention as they transition to students who need it. It would also help reduce the workload for students during their freshmen year. In addition to these advantages, by limiting students to two courses in the semester, freshmen will avoid becoming overwhelmed.

However, there are some concerns. With many current students lamenting the lack of energy and spirit around campus during the summer, it is important to make a good first impression on incoming students. Freshmen Experience (FE) dorms as well as GT1000 classes would help welcome students and help them adjust to college life. Also, allowing students to stay in the same FE dorms from summer through the rest of the year would be beneficial by helping to build a community.

With the administration making the summer semester addition for freshmen, they should also consider adding classes for the general student body. With people in the popular co-op program needing summer classes to complete their degrees in a timely manner, an increase in the variety of courses offered would be valuable. Also, a later shortened session, like the current early short session, could be another nice option.

Fresh faces

The statistics are in for this year's incoming freshmen class. The growing numbers of incoming students in Ivan Allen College reflect improvements in its recruitment process. Preview Georgia Tech, FUTURES, Girl's Night Out and Ivan Allen's own Shadow Day have contributed to the college's increasing popularity. With a 46% increase in its incoming freshmen class linked to an increase in applications to IAC, the college also boasts a 71% increase in out-of-state students.

With Tech often regarded as mainly an engineering school, the growing strength and reputation of the liberal arts college adds diversity to the student body. It appeals to prospective students, leads to more rounded students and makes a Tech degree more valuable.