As the new school year kicks off with a bang, Gustavus welcomes a smaller first-year class size than normal. This is the cause of multiple factors including demographics, the amount of high school seniors graduating and deciding to go to college, and the competition between colleges to recruit prospective students. This, coupled with fewer financial aid resources, have provided many challenges.

Richard Aune, Dean of Admissions said that they normally aim for an incoming class size of around 640-650 students. However, this year, the incoming class includes 589 students.

The smaller enrollment doesn’t affect the Admissions office. They still have the same amount of prospective students visiting and taking tours of campus. Furthermore, the amount of summer visits increased this year. This is most likely due to students applying to and visiting more colleges.

The Admissions Office has been changing their tactics toward meeting prospective students. Last year, Gustavus hosted an Admissions event at Target Field and at the Science Museum, hoping to bring Gustavus to the students and increase faculty involvement. Additionally, the Admissions Office has created an alumni scholarship program to help students learn more about Gustavus and re-involve alumni.

“You couldn’t have two more transparent people running the Admissions Office and if you have any questions, let us know, we’re here to help. If you have ideas to help us let us know since you once went through this process,” Aune said.

Fortunately, Brenda Kelly said the college had planned for a smaller freshman class when they drew up the new budget in June and incorporated less money. The Board of Trustees will vote to pass it at their meeting at the end of September.

Gustavus introducded a new way for incoming students to sign-up for their First Term Seminar or opt into the 3 Crowns program.

“Student-faculty collaboration in the MCS department put together a computer algorithm that allowed us to launch that program with our prospective student class,” Brenda Kelly said. “They were sent a prospectus that described the Liberal Arts, general education path and the 3 Crowns Curricular education path and it described all of the FTS sections and details about the two courses in 3 Crowns and then students logged into the computer algorithm and basically prioritized their top three or five FTS sections or they were able to opt into 3 Crowns.”

Previously, new students who registered later in the Gustie Gear Up week often did not get their first choice of First Term Seminar or make it into the 3 Crowns Curriculum. However, this new algorithm gave each new student the same opportunity to make it into the FTS section they wanted or into the 3 Crowns Curriculum.

“100% of students who filled out the form got into one of their top three choices. Class sizes are staying the same; we try to cap them at 16,” Director of First Term Seminar Kate Knutson said. “We did cancel a few sections of FTS. We started the summer with 38 sections and we currently have 33 sections, so just a few less. Otherwise, the faculty are the same, as is everything else.”

About 70% of incoming students used the new algorithm by the time they came for Gustie Gear Up week, and the remaining incoming students worked with admission counselors to find the right section for them or to join the 3 Crowns program if there was space left.

The 3 Crowns Curriculum has showed an increase in popularity this year. 3 Crowns reached its max capacity of 60 students before June registration.

“We accepted students on a first come, first serve basis, so our preference definitely went to early applicants,” said Lori Carson Kelly, Director of the Three Crowns program.

This could potentially be seen as a downside of the algorithm, which otherwise proved successful.

A total of 68 students are in the program with a waiting list of 26 students. Kelly wanted to let as many students in the program as possible, but still keep class sizes small.

“The success of our recruitment efforts this year can be linked to the increased visibility of the program to all students through the General Education Preference Form.” Lori Carson Kelly said.

Ultimately, there are both pros and cons to the smaller enrollment numbers.

“With a smaller enrollment class there will be smaller classes, particularly at the 100 level for all students across campus and small classes always means more individualized attention both in class and in advising-type appointments,” Brenda Kelly said.

This is especially helpful for students who chose Gustavus for the attentive leadership from professors and smaller class sizes.

“Maybe the cardio equipment in Lund won’t be as full during key times throughout the day,” Brenda Kelly joked.

“With a smaller enrollment class there will be smaller classes, particularly at the 100 level.” – Brenda Kelly

However, a major con with the smaller enrollment is a smaller budget, which has resulted in budget cuts.

“As a tuition driven institution there are budgetary impact with a smaller class size but fortunately this impact was recognized back in June so a tentative budget was brought to the board in June that anticipated as smaller class.” Brenda Kelly said.

Despite the many changes, Brenda Kelly is excited about the incoming class and what they bring to the table.