This weekend SU welcomed a new class to Syracuse University, a group marked by increased ethnic diversity and higher GPA scores.

‘Our enrollment of students of color in the freshmen class is about 18 percent, last year it was 16 percent,’ said Dean of Admissions Susan Donovan.

The admissions office is pleased with the increase in ethnic diversity and continues to expand its efforts to recruit a diverse freshman class, Donovan said. She feels that a diverse student body adds to interaction in the classroom and between students in general.

‘There are all kinds of diversity organizations on campus for people,’ said Ashley Chestnut, a sophomore magazine major who lived in the Multicultural Living and Learning Community last year. ‘Those organizations are always needing more help, and I think that the extra 2 percent will be an asset to the organizations.’

Another defining characteristic of the incoming freshman class is the .1 GPA jump from 3.5 to 3.6.

‘Our academic profile has been improving continually each year,’ Donovan said. ‘We are seeing a much stronger applicant pool in terms of grades and test scores which enables us to admit a stronger group of students.’

Donovan believes one factor contributing to the GPA boost is the admissions office’s thorough student interview policy. All applicants are encouraged to undergo a personal interview with a member of the admissions committee and those students who do are admitted a much higher rate, she said.

Some are skeptical, however, about the causes of the rise in GPA. David Potter, associate dean for student services, believes grade inflation may be a factor.

‘Most people would agree that grade inflation is a national issue,’ Potter said. ‘In a study done in The College of Arts and Sciences a few years ago, it seemed fairly clear that that is happening.’

Instead of relying on GPA to determine intelligence, Potter shifted the emphasis to other academic indicators.

‘Things that determine a more intellectually able class are the curiosity and determination that students show once they’re here,’ Potter said.

While Donovan acknowledges grade inflation as a problem, she believes that SU is becoming more competitive.

‘Of course, in some high schools there may be grade inflation, but we are also seeing increases in the number of Advanced Placement courses and honors courses being taken by students,’ Donovan said.

‘AP scores are submitted, so we know that the curricula our students have pursued in high school is much more competitive,’ Donovan said.

Published on August 24, 2003 at 12:00 pm