ULV deserves chance
Campus Times
September 18, 1998
My first instinct as I began to write this column was to point out the
negative aspects of the University of La Verne's high enrollment this year,
and, not to mention, find a certain someone or department at which to point
a finger.
That was before I did my job --- that is, I researched and interviewed
people on campus who know what is going on.
From the outside, or from many students' perspectives, it seems that
high enrollment has done nothing to benefit the University as a whole, except
maybe bring in more revenue. (Unless you are of the male population, who
is enjoying the new 7-to-1 female/male ratio)
The noticeable effects of high enrollment include less available housing,
less available parking (could it get worse?), change in student/faculty
ratio, larger class size, and less room at Camp Pilgrim Pines Orientation.
(Kate Mueller, Anna Caples and I, as the Orientation Staff, had our own
problems.)
My main question prior to speaking with President Stephen Morgan; Julie
Thurman-Francisco, director of Housing and Residential Life; and Lisa Meyer,
director of admissions, was, "Why was the University not prepared for
this large enrollment?"
"I think we could have been better prepared further in advance,"
said President Morgan.
What I now realize, which others at ULV should take notice of as well,
is that there is little the University could have done to better prepare
itself.
To understand this, here is the inside scoop on admissions (provided
by Meyer):
Due to new marketing techniques that highlighted the benefits of ULV
and different financial aid packages that include the GPA grants, more applications
were sent to Admissions for the 1998-99 year. Therefore, the percentage
of applicants accepted did not change, but more students were accepted.
Because both marketing and financial aid elements changed this year, the
University could not rely on past experience or numbers.
Also, for the record, admission standards did not change either. The
University was hoping for 400 new students and ended up with 440, compared
to last year's 337. Because many students do not actually enroll and register
until mid- to late August, estimated enrollment could not be determined
early on.
Meyer said that it will be "more conservative next year as far
as the Admissions offer."
Looking at the number of 440 new students, it is no wonder that 24 students
(give or take some) are without on-campus housing. Those students were not
expected. Granted, it was a bad idea tripling rooms, but Housing is planning
and has already begun to move students out of those rooms before placing
any other students on-campus.
However, I do not have sympathy for the students who called housing
in August looking for a room on-campus. Students need to realize that deadlines
are set for a reason, and as a mature adult, one should be able to meet
those deadlines.
As for the continual parking problems, the University is in the process
of adding parking near the new education building. I have one comment for
Oaks residents: By driving instead of walking the short distance to campus,
you are contributing to ULV's parking problem.
All in all, yes, the University did miscalculate. The saying goes that
it is better to aim too high and miss than to aim too low and hit. ULV aimed
high and over-hit.
With hopes of better communication and solutions to high enrollment
issues, a new committee including members of financial aid, admissions,
housing and student accounts is being formed and will begin to meet this
semester.
This year we will have to deal with the over-abundance of students,
and the under-abundance of space. But let us give ULV the benefit of the
doubt that next year, after living and learning, the University will be
prepared to take on such a large class.
Jennifer Parsons, a junior journalism major, is editor in chief of
the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at parsonsj@ulv.edu.
