Freshman class stresses campus services

The freshmen class is larger than expected. While the first department to face the problem was the Housing Department, other aspects of campus are dealing with the issue.

"It is very much a campus thing. Students need to understand that we are trying to make sure both incoming students as well as returning students know that the administration is not just sitting around," said Ingrid Hayes, director of Admissions.

"If students want this to work, it will work," said Andy Smith, vice provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

There were indicators that this freshman class might be bigger than expected.

"We had a feeling this might happen," Smith said.

According to Smith, the biggest indicator was the freshman semester during the summer.

"We had a summer semester for the freshmen for the first time and we had 100 percent of the students accepted for summer semester to attend. That is unheard of," Smith said.

Even though the class is larger than expected, the administration is taking steps to ensure that everything runs normally during the semester.

"We're trying to be proactive. We are keeping in constant communication with everyone in the administration to make it through this situation," Hayes said.

"We've increased the number of sections in each class and in math classes, we added two chairs to each class. We should have a smoother transition than normal because everyone in the administration is focusing on it," Smith said.

According to Smith, every student has a schedule and should be able to get into the classes that they need.

"I have had nothing but cooperation from all the schools," Smith said.

The issue raised is not whether or not the schools can accommodate the freshmen in freshmen classes, but whether they can accommodate this class as they become upperclassmen and the class sizes get smaller.

"As they become upperclassmen, it becomes decentralized. Each school will have to be prepared to deal with the situation as the time comes. The faculty is working on those issues right now. When distributed across campus, it doesn't become that bad," Smith said.

With the Board of Regents passing the fixed tuition rate for the first four years, students and parents feel a need to graduate within four years. The issue raised is that students might not get into the classes they need and, therefore, not graduate on time.

"There will be a lot more pressure to take summer courses. We need to beef up the summer semester a bit. We need to intentionally offer more courses, and be prepared this summer and the next," Smith said.

The yield was high this year because many schools and the office of admissions were active in making sure accepted students chose Tech.

"We did a lot more receptions in the spring for students who had been accepted. We've been in contact with those students since they were accepted into Tech. A lot of those personal things impacted the number," Hayes said.

"We got a lot of publicity this year. Tech is becoming a more popular school," Smith said.

While there are more students coming to Tech, the quality of students has not dropped.

"The average SAT score actually went up a point," Smith said.

"We're pleased with the type of research engagements the students were in during high school. A lot of people were deeply involved in various activities," Hayes said.

The larger class means traditionally smaller majors are seeing an increase in student population.

"Majors that are traditionally small are growing. It is very healthy for Tech to have more diversity and more balance," Smith said.

According to Hayes the diversity of different majors will add to campus. "People outside don't realize that our students have a diversity of interests. It really strengthens the class to have a variety of people with a variety of ideas," Hayes said.

While an overpopulation of the freshman class is something to be avoided in the future, the admissions office is not going to do anything drastic in reaction of this year's class. "We don't want to overreact, but I may have to change the admissions process slightly. To make a drastic change would not be beneficial to Tech. We have to be conservative," Hayes said.

While no major changes will be made to the admissions process, the administration plans to make sure that a similar situation doesn't happen again.

"We can't be 300 students over every year or every other year. We all have to be good stewards and watchful of enrollment," Hayes said.

"We're going to be watching this very carefully. We're going to work with the schools about this. We will be prepared," Smith said.