With top-level applicants up 11 percent over last year, Dan
Lundquist, vice president for admissions, is urging faculty and
students to “share with the [applicants] the sense of opportunities that might
exist for them and let them decide if this is the right place for them.”
Lundquist told a faculty meeting on Tuesday that the rise in so-called “A-Admits,” those with the strongest academic indicators, is part of the College's plan to “grow the top end.”
The number of applicants is just two percent under last
year, which was the second-highest number in the College's history, Lundquist
said.
“I'm delighted that we have brought these candidates to
the College, but no one can make these students matriculate,” Lundquist said.
“What the Admissions Office will do is try to be the most convivial hosts and
hostesses possible. What we need you to do — and we need to ask Union students
to help with this too — is to present this place as it is.”
Lundquist said he will send an email to faculty inviting
them to participate in recruitment events. Also, he said, Admissions can supply
faculty with contact information for applicants based on academic or other
interests.
“I know that when they have the opportunity to make a
connection with a Union student or faculty member that it usually has a very
positive influence and they enroll,” he said.
“Many of these young men and women are seriously looking
at Union and your willingness and enthusiasm to welcome
them would be great.”
Also at Tuesday's faculty meeting, Don Rodbell was elected
to an at-large position on the AAC.
The faculty voted to raise the requirements for Latin
graduation honors.
Clifford Brown, chair of the FEC, asked faculty to
consider nominees for the Bailey and Daggett prizes, which will be the main
agenda item at the April 1 faculty meeting.