Academic Reputation? You mean, like cheating in Auburn’s Pharmacy School?
https://www.wspa.com/news/cheating-i...l-of-pharmacy/
Like, classes in which all students were awarded “A’s” for absolutely no work or attendance?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-aubu...ide-1440635278
Or, SACS Probation?
https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/n...n/32328662007/
And, of course, the more visible examples of the culture, the hiring and adoration of Bruce ”Show-cause” Pearl and Hugh “Burner-phone” Freeze.
And, many more incidents. Auburn is the Joseph Goebbels of public colleges. What is academic reputation? How is that measured? Opinions of people who aren’t there? Maybe, at rival schools? Hmmm.
I have tried to tell people on this board that the entrance requirements on the website are absolute bull shit. Auburn has “1st Wave” students that are accepted immediately. The others are put on a “waiting list” (to make it seem like they are selective). They gather their data and give it to mags that rank colleges, then, letters of acceptance are sent out to the rest and the door is wide open. (They are not the only school who uses this method. Some other schools play the game. Increasingly, more schools are refusing). If you are gullible enough to believe Auburn when they reported their 2023 entering freshmen class had a higher average GPA than Harvard University’s reported entering class, then, you are one of their useful idiots.
I say, if Auburn claims to admit only a higher level of student, then, why can’t they get more “cream-of-the-crop” National Merit Scholars? It’s not like they aren’t trying. The University of Alabama enrolled 300 last fall. Auburn enrolled 25. The State of Alabama produced around 150 National Merit Scholars, last year. The vast majority enrolled at the University of Alabama. Auburn only enrolled 19. I would say, the University of Alabama is attracting the “Best and the Brightest” from this State and when we get them, they are taught by a better faculty in better facilities and in a better environment. Undergrads at UA have opportunities to become involved in research that is unmatched in this state and by almost all other SEC institutions. Our undergrads produce. Many National Scholars are produced by the University of Alabama. We’re one of the very top Goldwater Scholar (STEM) producers in the Nation.
There are many different reasons high school kids choose which college to attend. Chad named some. I talked to someone who works in student recruitment and asked her what makes a student from Alabama not come to UA? One of the reasons she hears is that the University is “too big”. Alabama is a rural state and many want to go to a smaller college, like Montevallo. Others want a country atmosphere. (they name Auburn and Mississippi State as being “down home”). Sometimes, it’s simply money. Tuition is high enough, but, the fees are even higher. None of them mentioned academic reputation.
Well, as for size, that is not going to change. As a matter of fact, the plan is to level off the undergrad number and double the graduate school, taking enrollment to the 50,000 range. UA has worked hard to develop a National “brand” and has built a network of recruiters all over the Nation. We’ve got students all over the country who want to have the “BAMA Experience”. The alumni base is growing with students who have a stronger allegiance to the University and that is already paying dividends. So, some kids who are interested, but, intimidated by the size (And, that even means the physical size of the campus, in some cases) will just have to go elsewhere.
As for money, over 1,000 new endowed scholarships have been funded from donations to the Campaign in the last two years. These scholarships are geared toward in-state students, so, I expect some in-state students with financial issues to get help there. It takes a little over a year for an endowed scholarship to be invested and reap benefits.
That said, the in-state enrollment as increased over the last few years.
https://news.ua.edu/2023/09/in-state...rd-enrollment/
There is only so much to tap into. The State population is growing slowly and fewer kids are choosing college. I would love to get them all, but, it’s a free world.
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Looks great. It is located on the north side of campus, south of Jack Warner Pkwy, and in between Randall Way and Kirkbride Lane. It has about 92,000 sq feet of space.
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