Faculty have expressed concern about adequately accommodating for the more than 1,120 students expected to attend Seattle University in the fall—395 more than Admissions originally budgeted for.
"These numbers portend disaster for next year and for our future," said history professor David Madsen in an e-mail circulated to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences earlier this month. "We simply do not have—and cannot create out of thin air—the facilities, faculty and staff needed to accommodate this group."
Jeff Philpott, CORE curriculum director, said the university hopes to maintain a tight student-to-faculty ratio next year. Currently, Seattle U has one faculty member for every
13 students.
"The primary focus is to add new [class] sections for fall and expand the number of freshman seminars to accommodate the extra-large freshman class, not increase class sizes," Philpott said.
Still, some professors worry Seattle U will not be able to find enough qualified faculty
by fall.
"There are real issues as to whether we'll get quality people trained and with necessary experience to teach at Seattle U," said Thomas Taylor, history professor. "The question is where to find teachers qualified to teach the necessary classes."
He also said hiring new tenure-track faculty involves an extensive search and hiring process that can take up to two years, making the chances of finding enough non-adjunct faculty slim for next year.
According to Philpott, the university might also add more classrooms next year in addition to finding new professors.
Philpott said the university might have to schedule more freshman courses earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Provost Isiaah Crawford has briefed the Academic Assembly—the representative body for Seattle U faculty—on the size and demographic makeup of this year's incoming class.
According to institutional research statistics provided to The Spectator Monday, approximately half of anticipated freshman are from a non-white ethnic background.
Asian students comprise the largest percentage—approximately 50 percent—of the class's minority students.
The university also saw a 7 percent rise in new freshman coming to Seattle U from outside Washington this year.
"Overall, the Academic Assembly is satisfied with the Provost's report of what the class looks like and how it will be dealt with thus far," said John Strait, professor in the School of Law and member of the Academic Assembly. "The questions that remain to be addressed are exactly how and why this happened."
Crawford said the large freshman class will positively impact Seattle U.
"We didn't anticipate how high in demand a Seattle U education would be," Crawford said.
Crawford and Strait are also confident that qualified professors will be found to teach the added courses and sections.
In part, this is due to budget problems at some state schools that are forcing the institutions to lay off professors.
"It's a buyer's market for quality professors," Strait said.
Admissions originally planned to enroll 825 new freshman this year. Crawford said as admissions processes continue to be redesigned, he is confident the university will enroll a class closer to that number in the future.
According to the Provost the hiring of a consultant from the firm Noel-Levitz benefited the admissions process, as the university received a record number of inquiries, applications and deposits this year.
"I'm very pleased with the changes that they've helped us make," Crawford said.
Next year Seattle U is seeking to fill a new leadership position in the Admissions Department.
Crawford said the new associate vice president for Enrollment Management will help keep admissions figures on target. As of now, the search is ongoing and will end in July.
"Although we over enrolled this year, it's a good thing," Crawford said. "But it's not something that we look to do year in and year out, and we look to be more accurate in reaching our budgeted goals."
Olivia may be reached at ojohnson@su-spectator.com
is a member of the 
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