I’m not convinced that Furman should grow. When I attended Furman, undergraduate enrollment was around 2,200. Everyone received a quality education, the faculty student ratio was low which enabled excellent student/teacher relationships; the campus was alive and thriving. Furman could have been larger, but it maintained high admission standards, which is a good thing. Furman does not need to be larger for it to a place where students can receive a quality education in a close-knit environment. Its size was one of its appealing features to me. Considering declining college enrollments across the country, perhaps this reduction in size is good thing.
I understand that increasing the diversity of thought within the faculty will be easier to achieve if the number is students and faculty are increasing. However, that should not be the reason for increasing student enrollment.
I continue to support your efforts to ensure all Furman students are comfortable expressing their opinions on campus and at increasing the diversity of political affiliations across the faculty. Furman must always welcome robust debate of all topics in society without fear of retribution from students or faculty. This is essential for students to obtain a quality liberal arts education.
I’m not convinced that Furman should grow. When I attended Furman, undergraduate enrollment was around 2,200. Everyone received a quality education, the faculty student ratio was low which enabled excellent student/teacher relationships; the campus was alive and thriving. Furman could have been larger, but it maintained high admission standards, which is a good thing. Furman does not need to be larger for it to a place where students can receive a quality education in a close-knit environment. Its size was one of its appealing features to me. Considering declining college enrollments across the country, perhaps this reduction in size is good thing.
I understand that increasing the diversity of thought within the faculty will be easier to achieve if the number is students and faculty are increasing. However, that should not be the reason for increasing student enrollment.
I continue to support your efforts to ensure all Furman students are comfortable expressing their opinions on campus and at increasing the diversity of political affiliations across the faculty. Furman must always welcome robust debate of all topics in society without fear of retribution from students or faculty. This is essential for students to obtain a quality liberal arts education.
Bob
Bob