The University News (Irving, Tex.), Vol. 26, No. 1, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 5, 2001 Page: 1 of 15

Dominicans storm Campus Ministry, see pg. 15
The University News
University of Dallas, Irving, Texas
Volume XXVI, Number 1
September 5, 2001
Hit me!
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photo by Sarah Gaunt
Junior orientation leader Eduardo Siller welcomes all the new students to his blackjack
station during Casino Night. Freshmen gambled with fake money while making new
friends. This traditional orientation activity allows new students to interact with
returning students in a J'un atmosphere. Other orientation activities this year included
dinner at the faculty homes, music night on the patio, plays, a welcoming mass, a
comedian routine, movie and book discussion, and an ice cream social.
Large freshman class
starts trend for future
by Julie Danaher
Managing Editor
With more than 320 students, this year's
freshman class is the second largest in UD's
history.
In 1981, the largest freshman class en-
tered with 324 students.
The Enrollment Office anticipates that
in the years to come enrollment will be
even higher.
"We have been working hard to recruit
students, and we expect the class size to
level off at 325 to 350 students," Dr. Fred
Zuker, dean of Enrollment and Student
Life, said.
With the current facilities, UD can op-
erate at capacity level with around 1,350
undergraduate students, Dr. Zuker said.
Though the number of students has
increased, the administration promises
it will not sacrifice standards for higher
numbers.
"Academically speaking, this is one
of the strongest classes coming into the
school, "Bro. Richard Villa, S.M., assistant
dean of Student Life, said.
With average scores of 26 on the ACT
and 1230 on the SAT, test scores for the
freshman class are above national aver-
age.
"There are 19 National Merit semi-fi-
nalists and finalists this year," Dr. Zuker
said.
Three freshmen scored 800 on the verbal
section of the SAT test, and there were a
few students that had nearly perfect math
scores as well.
Fifty-five percent of the students gradu-
ated in the top 10 percent of their class,
whi le 75 percent were in the top 25 percent
of their class.
Most of the students visited the campus
before applying, and most of them said UD
was their first choice, Bro. Richard said, at-
tributing the high class size to the early and
continual communication between students
and the Enrollment Office.
"We started contacting the students back
in January, and we timed our communica-
tion with them so that we were in constant
contact. By the time they were applying,
they felt as if they really knew the school,"
he said.
Staying in contact with the students after
they were accepted was important to the
Enrollment Office to ease the transition
process for the new students.
"I think it was successful," Bro. Richard
said. "This class was mentally prepared
when they arrived, and I think a lot of that
continued on pg. 2
photo by Kevin Heller
Members of the university's new freshman
class head towards orientation actvities on
campus. Enrollment is expected to increase
over time as with this class of320 students.
Administrative changes mark beginning of new year
by Sarah Gaunt
Editor in Chief
Changes and additions in ad-
ministrative positions mark the
start of the 2001-2002 academic
year at the University of Dallas.
Last spring, the Board of Trust-
ees approved the creation of two
dean positions to supplement the
provost position.
The two new positions are dean
of Constantin li beral arts college
and dean of Bran iff Graduate
school.
Dr. Frank Doe, associate pro-
fessor of biology, was appointed
the dean of Constantin last sum-
mer.
In addition, Dr. David Sweet,
became the dean of Braniff Grad-
uate School.
"My job is to make the faculty's
job easier," Dr. Doe said. "I want
to promote and encourage and
teaching; that is crucial."
During the early 1980s, Dr.
Jack Paynter was the dean. At that
time, there was no provost.
Dr. Paynter's position was
changed to provost, the chief
academic advisor for the entire
university.
"The dean and the provost were
one person," Dr. Doe said.
Last May, the previous provost,
Dr. Glen Thurow offered the posi-
tion to Dr. Doe, and he accepted.
Determined to remain a part of
students' lives, Dr. Doe will con-
tinue to teach biology classes.
Although his class schedule is
somewhat abbreviated, Dr. Doe
feels privileged to work with
students and will continue to be a
pre-med advisor.
"The worst thing that could
happen is to lose contact with the
students," he said. "If we lose
sight of that, we might as well
close up the joint now."
Throughout his busy schedule,
Dr. Doe said he reminds himself
daily that the students should be
the focus of the administration
and teachers.
The major focus of Dr. Doe's
vision is to improve the quality of
life for the undergraduate popula-
tion through staffing the Rome
Program with experienced UD
professors.
The new dean is also concerned
about encouraging discussion
of contemporary issues in UD's
core.
Another major administrative
change to occur this year at UD
will be Sybil Novinski's departure
from her position as associate
provost.
Movinski will step down from
her position in January to take on
the full-time responsibilities as the
Official Historian for UD.
Novinski will oversee the
development of the university's
archives, as well as the planning
of publications for UD's fiftieth
anniversary celebration.
Once the chaos of the semes-
ter's class scheduling and advis-
ing has died down, the associate
provost and dean's responsibili-
ties will be clarified.
"Dr. Doe and I will be working
together closely," she said, "but
the specific duties will be defined
soon."
Dr. James Klassen's part time
position as assistant provost has
become full-time. He will focus
on academic planning and evalu-
ation, particularly as it pertains
to reaccredidation by the South-
ern Association of Colleges and
Schools.