I literally hate everything about this talk of expansion. Why are we fundamentally changing who Wake is after 180 years? Why an engineering school at all? That is the exact opposite of who we are as a school. Why was Wake considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the country - the beautiful architecture (absent Scales), the greenspace, and the trees. So let's get rid of more and more of the space and the trees. What was unique about Wake? It's small size - which leads to small classes, everyone knowing everyone else, familiarity with professors, deans, etc. - so let's get rid of that too... Sorry - old guy venting alert...
All fair points but it's a trade off, and it's already changed a lot more than you think. About 15% of undergrads are not from the US. There are far more students from the Northeast than NC. Additionally, the small size is holding Wake back in terms of remaining relevant nationally particularly in relation to athletics. Supposedly the goal is to match the undergrad population of Duke, and if that allows Wake to admit more local students and grow its base of local support, I'm for it.
Matching Duke (or ND, Vandy, etc.) is an unfortunate goal. We have different strengths, and need to focus on those.
I looked back at 1998 (it was easy to find online, plus everyone knows 90s Deacs are the greatest) - in 1998, there were 3855 undergrads, 1157 from NC (30%). In 2020 there were 5441 undergrads, 900 from NC (16%). Enrollment has gone up, but total numbers from NC have gone down. So if someone tries to argue that we need to increase enrollment to increase the number from NC, they're wrong.
It's not a coincidence that the great resurgence is happening as the kids of 90s Deacs are starting to attend Wake.
WF changes or it falls behind. WF used to be all men and all white. WF used to prohibit dancing. WTF? Have no idea if these changes will lead to long term benefits, but if WF chose the right people to lead, you've got to trust that they have weighed all of the factors and made sound decisions (unless you have taken the time to study and review the options and alternatives as well and can state a reasoned opinion as to why the change is misguided; opposing change because the school will be different than it was when you attended is not convincing).
Ha -- you mean like it was originally done until changed in ?? year? But, now it would make for a congested intersection. I imagine much more traffic now than in the 1960s.
oh noes....something is going to change on campus and fundamentally change WFU? Settle down and remember that once upon a time Wake Forest literally picked up and moved to an entirely different city. Change happens, embrace it or get left behind.
Sure. Wake is going to change and make decisions that lead to change. But as we all know, not all of those decisions will be good (such as hiring [Redacted]). I think our increased enrollment, with fewer students from NC, to emulate Duke and ND has not been a good trend - we now accept a much higher percentage of students than we used to. Other decisions, such as changing focus from a regional college to a national university in the 1980s, was a very smart decision.
To confirm, fairly quickly: there will be a building going in on the corner of Davis near Olin/ZSR/Benson; the current plan is to use it as academic swing space for overflow departments and to allow renovations to other buildings as needed. There is also a plan to re-route Wake Forest Road directly up past Scales towards the Quad (so somewhat symmetrical to the other side of campus).
Source: This has all been disclosed at planning meetings that have been open for anyone to attend, albeit these plans were put in place pre-COVID. No need for secrecy here.
I don’t think acceptance rate has gone up at all.
That foreign student influx is key as they generally pay full $$$$$
Is Wake actually somewhat good again????
Hmmm I don't know youNo. Don’t get suckered in to coming back.
We’ll call you.
WF changes or it falls behind. WF used to be all men and all white. WF used to prohibit dancing. WTF? Have no idea if these changes will lead to long term benefits, but if WF chose the right people to lead, you've got to trust that they have weighed all of the factors and made sound decisions (unless you have taken the time to study and review the options and alternatives as well and can state a reasoned opinion as to why the change is misguided; opposing change because the school will be different than it was when you attended is not convincing).