President Jon Wallace addressed a question regarding overcrowding on campus in the 8th “Town Hall” Wednesday evening, saying that Azusa Pacific’s goal is to maintain the size of the current freshman class, which stands at approximately 1,700 students. In the last three years, APU has enrolled around 1,200 first-time freshmen each fall, according to statistics from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.
As the student body has grown larger, some students have become concerned about overcrowding on campus with more people vying for the same number of housing and parking spots and other resources.
Wallace assured students that instead of accepting ever-larger classes, Azusa Pacific will encourage growth through transfers. Additionally, APU will also focus its attention on opening and expanding undergraduate programs at its regional centers.
The Cougar Dome event, also called the “State of the University,” was hosted by
the Office for Student Reconciliation and Diversity. It included a panel of upper
administrative staff to which the student body could bring questions on
virtually any topic. Approximately 150 students were in attendance this year, many of them student leaders.
“I think that [this event] is by far one of the coolest things about this school,” said University Village Resident Advisor Sean Janas, “how the top-of-the-top leaders come in this intimate setting and just share their hearts and are open to any kind of question.”
The panel consisted of Wallace, Ed Barron, OSRD co-executive director, Dr. Richard Martinez, special assistant to OSRD president, Dr. Kimberly Denu, special advisor to the president and provost, and Dr. Terry Franson, dean of students.
Students came forth with questions ranging from security on campus to issues of communication between students and the administration.
“We have to have open honest conversations … in the beautiful mosaic that is APU. Together we can become a stronger, more united community,” Franson said in response to concerns about a gap between the students and the “higher powers.”
The panel did not address a question regarding the issue of parking, which seems to be a growing problem.
Some students said they were encouraged by the transparency between the board and the student body.
“As [APU] is growing … they’re focusing on maintaining their identity as a faith-based academic institution,” Alosta Place Resident Advisor Mitch Freisen said. “The panel are very trustworthy people, very motivated to focus on loving people, because they love God and they do so in a way that really respects everyone … and they themselves serve, which is the most important part.”
Barron said he hopes that students walked away from the meeting feeling heard, honored, encouraged and enlightened. The Town Hall is one of two opportunities during the school year for students to interact with the president. The next forum will be held in the spring.
“I don’t know too many places where you can have an hour and a half on your turf with the president, who’s the busiest person at the university,” said Barron. “It’s important that the students know they always have an opportunity to come share their hearts and ask those questions.”