Expansion evaluated
COMMENTARY
Josh Deitz

Of the issues discussed by Chancellor Boschini in his speech at Convocation, one stood out in particular. After addressing TCU’s various needs, the chancellor raised the question of a substantial increase in TCU’s enrollment.

This is not a question to be taken lightly. There are benefits to be had from increasing the size of the university, but there are hazards as well. The entire TCU community needs to begin a discussion about the appropriate size of the student body. Raising enrollment levels would mean enormous changes in almost every aspect of the university. The question is whether the benefits are worth the costs.

Like Chancellor Boschini, I’ve been at a larger school. I transferred to TCU from a school with over 40,000 students. There was little interaction with professors, a terrible lack of community on campus and a serious gap in certain resources. Coming to TCU was a major improvement for me.

As Chancellor Boschini said, TCU’s small size does hinder its recognition on the national scene. A larger student body could bring greater attention and the various benefits that come with it. Raising enrollment could be the first step towards increasing donations, research grants and national prestige.

TCU is an excellent school. We deserve more credit than we get. This is not just a problem for administrators and professors. The better TCU’s reputation is, the more valuable a TCU diploma becomes. This would mean very tangible benefits for graduates, from easier acceptance to graduate school to greater employment opportunities.

At the same time, a large part of what makes TCU an excellent school comes from its small size. With fewer students, TCU can focus its attention on depth over breadth. It is possible to maintain a focus on close student-professor interaction. Perhaps most importantly, it seems easier for students to feel connected to the school.

It is very possible that TCU can maintain these qualities while raising student enrollment. It is also very possible that TCU could slowly lose what makes it special. Whether this happens depends on how the enrollment increase is handled.

One certain thing is that increasing the size of the university will be incredibly expensive. TCU is already stretched thin when it comes to student life. The dorms are always filled to bursting at the beginning of the year, parking is worse than ever and the Student Center is in dire need of an upgrade.

Any significant rise in enrollment will also require an enormous investment in academic facilities as well. TCU still has professors working out of portable trailers. We need another general academic building just to take care of current needs for offices and classrooms.

Chancellor Boschini addressed a number of other needs that will have to be met before TCU begins to think about expanding the student body. The School of Education needs a new building. Buschman Theatre and the ballet building need renovations. Fine Arts students need practice spaces. The Brite Divinity School needs a new building. Then there’s the library’s need for an expansion and the various athletic facilities that will no doubt be requested.

It’s quantity versus quality. Breadth versus depth. It may well be that TCU can have both.

This is a decision that everyone at TCU needs to participate in. The debate has already started. It’s time to get involved.

Josh Deitz is a senior political science major from Atlanta. He can be reached at (j.m.deitz@tcu.edu.)