2008 Woodie Awards
SLRP banks on increased enrollment
Adra Cooper and Kevin Smith
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Features
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According to Guilford's Strategic Plan, the enrollment office plans to have a traditional student population of 1,520 by fall 2009. With only 1,351 traditional students currently attending Guilford, the campus is already facing problems, such as housing shortages and lack of facilities.
These already-present issues raise questions as to whether Guilford will be able to accommodate its future enrollment goals adequately.
"We are anticipating a first-year class size of 432 next fall (compared to last year's class of 429 students)," said Randy Doss, vice president for enrollment and campus life. "The increase of the student body certainly puts pressures on the infrastructure of the school."
In terms of insufficient campus services, students consistently complain about the lack of available eating options and the poor quality of those that are provided. This year, Guilford was ranked six on Princeton Review's list "Is it Food?"
"Why do we only have one other alternative to the cafeteria on campus that's terrible?" said senior Noah Forman. "After eating in the Underground, I can feel pimples forming on my face. I think it's telling that I never see any faculty eating there."
Also, the housing crunch earlier this year, in which students were living in four-person "quad" rooms converted from dorm lounges, illustrated the shortage of space on campus.
However, the Strategic Plan maintains that Guilford "will not become just larger, but better" by increasing student-body size.
"The largest revenue comes from enrollment," Doss said. "The more our revenue increases, the more we can spend on renovation and construction of facilities. These endeavors will increase overall student satisfaction."
The administration hopes that a better quality of life for students will improve the student retention rate. On average, only 50 percent of first-years graduate within four years. Last year, 74 percent of the first-year class returned for their sophomore year.
These already-present issues raise questions as to whether Guilford will be able to accommodate its future enrollment goals adequately.
"We are anticipating a first-year class size of 432 next fall (compared to last year's class of 429 students)," said Randy Doss, vice president for enrollment and campus life. "The increase of the student body certainly puts pressures on the infrastructure of the school."
In terms of insufficient campus services, students consistently complain about the lack of available eating options and the poor quality of those that are provided. This year, Guilford was ranked six on Princeton Review's list "Is it Food?"
"Why do we only have one other alternative to the cafeteria on campus that's terrible?" said senior Noah Forman. "After eating in the Underground, I can feel pimples forming on my face. I think it's telling that I never see any faculty eating there."
Also, the housing crunch earlier this year, in which students were living in four-person "quad" rooms converted from dorm lounges, illustrated the shortage of space on campus.
However, the Strategic Plan maintains that Guilford "will not become just larger, but better" by increasing student-body size.
"The largest revenue comes from enrollment," Doss said. "The more our revenue increases, the more we can spend on renovation and construction of facilities. These endeavors will increase overall student satisfaction."
The administration hopes that a better quality of life for students will improve the student retention rate. On average, only 50 percent of first-years graduate within four years. Last year, 74 percent of the first-year class returned for their sophomore year.
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