Baylor Prepares for the Largest Freshman Class in 160-year History
Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist institution, is making adjustments to accommodate the largest freshman class in the universitys 160-year history.
Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist institution, is making adjustments to accommodate the largest freshman class in the universitys 160-year history.
Excited about the breaking record, Dr. Reagan M. Ramsower, acting vice president for finance and administration, contends the expected challenges can be solved if every effort is given by the Baylor faculty and staff.
"Having a freshman class this size presents several challenges, but they are challenges we can solve by making every effort to ensure that these new students have a first-year Baylor experience that compares favorably to previous classes," said Ramsower in BU press release. "It's very encouraging that a Baylor education is in such high demand, and likewise, Baylor faculty and staff are collectively committed to providing our new and continuing students with a great Baylor experience."
The Office of Institutional Research and Testing indicates that 3,100 new students entering this fall breaks the previous freshman enrollment record in fall 1998 when 2,938 students were added to Baylor. As a result of overflowing number of applications, freshmen enrollment was closed on May 3 with a waiting list made available to those who still wish to attend.
Furthermore, the research indicates this years SAT average in line with last years record of 1190 and the universitys most diverse freshmen population in its history. Baylor's minority freshman population was 30.3 percent in fall 2004.
Implementations to accommodate the fall 2005 incoming freshmen class are as follows:
Opening up additional on-campus housing
Increase of seating various dining halls
Increase of sections for high-demand freshman
courses initiative
Employment of a new financial settlement process
Issuance of additional vehicle registration permits during orientation sessions and adjustment in BU Shuttle (B.U.S.) routes for efficient on-campus/off-campus transportation service
In addition to these developments in progress, Baylor has also increased the number of orientation sessions to ten and has hired additional academic advisers to help students select classes and develop academic plans.
The first orientation session is scheduled for June 15-16, with additional sessions running through July 1. Baylor will welcome new freshmen to campus on Aug. 18, as students move into the residence halls and participate in the Welcome Week Aug. 18-21. Fall classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 22.