The editor would like to thank all involved for their time and effort on this edition of The Voice.

The opinions expressed in any Sweet Briar College publication or other forms of media are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration. Therefore, Sweet Briar College is not responsible for its content.

Editorials represent the opinion(s) of the editor(s) and/or staff/guest writer(s).

This site was designed and is maintained by Anne Proctor. Please email any questions or comments concerning the web site to her.

Welcome Class of 2010!
By Julia Patt ’09
STAFF WRITER

Ken Huus of the Admissions Office says that “The incoming class [of 2010] is not the largest in history - long ago before men's colleges began admitting women, Sweet Briar had incoming classes in the neighborhood of 280.” Still, he admits, our first year class, known affectionately to some as “the oh-tens” is the largest the college has seen since 1997. This is the result of an aggressive recruitment program by the Admissions Office, with the ultimate goal of increasing Sweet Briar’s student population to 750.Huus assures us not worry, however, as the admissions standards are as high as they have ever been. “In fact, we've actually become more selective over the last three years with an acceptance rate just under 80% in each of the last 3 years compared to an acceptance rate that was closer to 90% for virtually all of the previous 15 years,” he stated in an online interview.

Not that such a large incoming class – 211 total, reports Tory Oelfke of First Year Residence – is without its challenges. “Grammer Hall and Meta Glass Hall, home for new students, is at 100% occupancy, which means no room for moving when roommate conflicts arise,” Oelfke informed us via email. “As for future housing implications (upperclass housing), those impacts will become evident during the spring room lottery process. So, we will have to see what happens.”

Some upperclassmen were also concerned about class enrollment, and if Sweet Briar would lose its intimate educational environment. Thus far, it seems that the Dean’s office has everything under control. “The number of first years is not so much larger than last year that we should encounter unreasonable overcrowding,” Dean Green assured us. “Spread out over the curriculum, we should expect 1 or 2 extra students in popular classes. We did just add an extra section of English 104 to accommodate those extra students.” As Sweet Briar grows, no doubt, our intellectual environment will change. However, maintaining the same level of personal intellectual growth is equally important to the community of faculty, staff, and students.

Moreover, we cannot greet the class of 2010 without some measure of excitement. They come from all over the country and the world, with brand new ideas and viewpoints. Kelly Kraft-Meyer, Acting Dean of Co-Curricular Life, commented, “I think the student body will be very excited to have more classmates and colleagues on campus. The excitement of new people to meet, learn and live with has already begun to permeate the air! If there is a hitch to an increased class size, it would be that the residence halls are very full - but what a lovely problem to have!”

For skeptics, one might consider the promise of new residence halls and other campus improvements if the college continues to grow in size. Regardless, in spite of concerns or worries, or irritation with freshmen wandering through the senior doors, the new year holds promises and challenges for all of us. And soon enough we will all be complaining about the class of 2011.