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Issue 50
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC 27707
September 22,1995
Freshman enrollment takes a dip
New strategy aims to boost academic standards
By Erica Dixon
Recent changes in the
admissions standards have left
the administration seeking to
rebound from low freshman
enrollment
“When Chancellor (Julius)
Chambers announced that we
were to have an average SAT
score of 950 for the 1995
entoing freshman class, many
students and alumni of the
university took this to mean that
every study's score had to be
950,” said Undergraduate
Admissions Director Nancy
Rowland.
Headed by Chambers, the
administration is promoting an
agenda that will strengthen
North Carolina Central in
resources as well as student
diversity. This campaign
included setting a target average
SAT score of 950 for the 1995
entering freshman class.
To achieve an average SAT
score of 950, the high scores of
t^licants had to balance out
thelow. Whatthis means is that
for every considerably low
score, there had to be mie higher
than 950 to reach that average.
Because 82 percent of
freshmen enrollees must be from
Freshmen quickly learn that studying in the library is a way of life to Eagles
in-state, a North Carolina
applicant who scores 750 or
above and meets all other
admission requirements
receives consideration, while
out-of-state ^licants receive
preference if their SAT scores
are a minimum of 850.
Traditionally, according to
Rowland, students from outside
North Carolina have an average
SAT score of 9(X) and above.
According to the college
board’s national release of
averages for 1995, the average
African-American’s score is
744, while the average score of
the African-American in North
Carolina is 727.
The Chancellor feels that
raising standards will aid in
recruiting top students and
placing NCCU in equal
standing with colleges ranked
higher in the UNC system.
“We are trying to recruit top
students, black and white, to
build a diverse student body and
to prepare students to be able to
address, successfully, the
challenges of the future,”
Chambers said.
The University will suffer
growing pains because of the
up-grade, and this will be most
acute this year, Rowland said.
Compared to the 752 first-time
freshmen enrolled in August
1994, 500 first-time freshmen
are presently enrolled at the
University.
Although ovCTall eiux)llment
is not down because of the
increased number of transfers,
the lower number of fieshmen
enrolled has affected on-campus
living as well. According to
Residence Director Phillis
Shumate, the total number of
freshmen living on-campus is
430. Given that 450 students
can fill Eagleson alone, 249
women now occupy Eagleson,
and 14 live in Baynes. One
hundred and forty-four men
occupy Chidley, while 15 male
and eight female freshmen hve
in Annie Day Shepard.
Rowland is sure that
enrollment goals will be met for
next year.
“We are seeking a diverse
freshman class for Fall 1996. .
.. The faculty, staff, and alumni
are committed to meeting the
admissions goals."
English professor takes over post as interim provost
By Alicia B. Williams
Long-time NCCU professor and alumna. Dr. Patsy
Perry, has been named Interim Provost and Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Perry succeeds Dr. Mickey Bumim at the request of
NCCU Chancellor Julius Chambers. Bumim has been
named Intmm Chancellor of Elizabeth City State
University, rqtlacing Jimmy Jenkins.
“I want to contribute whatever I can, whenever I
can, regardless of the department,” Perry said.
Her effectiveness can be seen in in the Honors
Program. In 1993, Chambers asked Peny to prepare a
proposal for the University’s Honors Program. It was
appoved by the Board of Trustees, and in August of
1994, she was appointed to the position of Honors
Program Director.
During the 94-95 school year, members of the
University Honors Program were able to travel
fiequratly. Three honcxs seniors, one of which received
a two-year fellowship with a $1,000 monthly stipend,
visited Ohio State University. Students also participated
in culturally enlightening events, namely a summer
trip to Ghana, West Africa. Perry said that the
experience is one which the students will not forget.
“They came away with a new understanding of
what’s important in life: self-perception, and
relationships we have with others,” she said.
Honors Program secretary Gloria Chambers, who
has worked in the program since last November, said
that seeing Perry leave is extremely hard.
“She has a very good rapport with the students and
spends a lot of time planning activities for them.”
Mrs.Chambers said that Perry was instrumental in
Dr. Palsy Perry
incorporating a budget
that allowed the
administration to run
more smoothly and
allowed the students to
travel and meet other
honors groups.
“Dr. Perry is very
encouraging. I’m happy
about her appointment
because she supprxts the
students and pushes
them to the limit," said sophomore honor student Catilla
Everette.
Perry received her undergraduate degree in English
from NCCU, continued at the University and received
a masters’ degree. She received her P.h.d from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an
alumna of NCCU, Perry is willing to serve in any
capacity.
“I loved NCCU even before I enrolled,” she said.
Perry’s calling to the position of Provost in no way
takes away from her love for the students. “ I find it a
great joy to work with the the students, I have found
them to be creative and energetic and eag^ to participate
in our activities. I miss them already.”
Ms. Chambers said she hopes to have the (^portunity
to work with Perry again.
“I know the position is interim, and I don’t know
what the future holds, but she will definitely be missed,”
she said.
Patsy Perry. Provost
Birthplace: Greensboro, NC
Education: B.A., NCCU; M.A.,
NCCU; Ph. D., UNC-Chapel Hill
Initial Career Goal: Teacher
Occupation: Professor of English,
Honors Program Director
Reaction to position as Provost:
“Shocking, I had little time to think
to think about it, because the
position was called for immediately,
so I said, Yes, Hi try my best.”
Statement of Goals:
"It's the kind of position where I hope
to carry out the responsibility of the
job, and to be effective. I will
certainly work to advance academic
programming at Central."