Class of 2010 is biggest in history

By Sarah Yokubaitis

With 1,386 enrolled students, the class of 2010 has surpassed admissions' projections by roughly 180 students, making it the biggest class in history and leaving administrators seeking solutions to overcrowding.

"Our target was 1,200," said Sandra Hayes, dean of undergraduate admissions. "The response this year was really, really, really strong."

Hayes credits the increased number of admitted students to a strong applicant pool and the move to the Common Application, which allows students to apply to many different schools with one form.

In addition, admissions accepted 65 percent of applicants, up from 60 percent last year. Now, 186 students over the targeted class size of 1,200 have committed to Santa Clara.

The incoming freshmen are academically similar to this year's freshman class, with an average grade point average of 3.6 and a 1200 composite SAT score. The class is 44 percent male and 56 percent female. Out-of-state students are up 173 students from last year, making next year's number of out-of-state students 664.

Admissions is hopeful that the class will "melt" over the summer by 8 percent, losing approximately 110 students.

The steady increase of class sizes in the last two years is beginning to catch up with Santa Clara, causing problems with academics, food services and housing.

"We don't even have the faculty to teach the classes. It sounds like a small number, but, if you put 70 more freshmen here, there is more of an impact," said Jane Barrantes, director of auxiliary services.

In various academic departments, space is tight for classes typically taken freshman year as part of the core curriculum, such as English 1 and 2.

While some departments predict they will need to hire additional faculty to handle the influx of incoming freshmen, upperclassmen who have not yet taken basic, required classes may be in a bind.

"It will be hard for sophomores," said Phyllis Brown, chair of the English department. "All but one section of English 1 right now is reserved for incoming freshmen."

Most departments say they will increase the amount of classes offered, rather than the amount of students in each class.

"We won't increase the class size unless absolutely necessary because the learning environment is the most important thing," said Barbara Molony, chair of the history department. "We want to keep the learning environment where students can participate in class, where students can actually fit in the classroom."

Food services is taking precautions to prevent the long lines and overcrowding that has become a major problem over the past year.

"Some of the things we've talked about is doing some additional daytime or early dinner service out of the Bronco, " said Lori Flashner, general manager of Bon Appetit. Bon Appetit is also considering remodelling Mission Bakery.

Some current students are without housing for next year, and others have been placed in dorms they did not choose.

"Large class, after large class, after large class puts a strain on what we've been able to offer," Director of Residence Life Scott Strawn said.

A decrease of 110 admitted students will undoubtedly alleviate some of the pressure on housing.

"If the 8 percent melt happens, they can accommodate everyone. There may be some need for triples, but they expect everyone will have a bed," Hayes said. "If that doesn't happen, obviously there needs to be some alternative housing arrangements."

Administration officials say that they will strive to provide incoming students with the "quality Santa Clara experience" that they signed up for -- small class sizes, a community environment and low student-teacher ratio.

Despite the problems created by an increase in enrollment, faculty and staff say that the overall trend is positive for Santa Clara.

"I think it's on its way to becoming a larger, more prominent school. In the mean time, there are strains, growing pains that emerge," said Brown. "It's my hope that, as we grow, it will be done in a systematic way so it's not like a tidal wave and we can get more faculty to deliver the classes to the students."

Contact Sarah Yokubaitis at (408) 554-4546 or syokubaitis@scu.edu.