Will Cameron
The Paw Print
Over the last four years, Adams State College has increased enrollment by 34 percent, a very impressive figure. With three straight years of record high freshman classes, there is no doubt that the people in admissions and enrollment are doing their jobs.
However, with so many students on campus, combined with assorted construction projects, it seems that the forerunners of success are inadequate parking and cramped classes.
In any case, it seems Adams State College may soon be no more. On Aug. 26, the board of trustees decided 8 to 1 to move ahead with the plan to become a university, effectively passing the vote on to the higher court of the Colorado Legislature.
Senator Gail Schwartz and Representative Ed Vigil will take up the fight in Denver when legislative session begins next year.
President David Svaldi said, “Changing our name to university will better represent the high quality of Adams State’s academic programs. We have very experienced and qualified professors, excellent new facilities, and a stellar record in sending graduates on to graduate school.”
Perhaps by the time Adams State University comes into being, Adams State College will live up to the name. Maybe they will have moved on to offering more classes and good cafeteria food. In fact, if Adams State continues to renovate and expand it will likely live up to its desired title.
What remains to be seen is the result of the name change. A different title on your diploma? Raised tuition costs? Or is the name change simply a result of something that already happened?
My fear is that while the school’s status rises with monikers and open doors, the quality of the institution will struggle to keep up. I believe that if Adams State is to become a university, more basic needs such as classroom space and faculty offices must be met. The quality of the campus needs to be maintained even while the school looks on to bigger and better things for the U.
What’s Been Said…