Welcome to the Class of 1989 II riiviibfcUc diif ■ 1 mil WII ■ ■ I / L The Pendulum Thursday, September 5, 1985 Volume XII, No. 1 Carolinian's last run Amtrak’s Carolinian makes its last stop in Burlington on Sept. 2. Greater expenses than anticipated have caused Amtrak to end its only east-west passenger service in North Carolina—at least temporarily. See story on page 5. Phoio by n/ticneie Lashiev Caliber of students improved this year By Jane Kidwell Editor The admission of better-qualified students and the possibility of a fall groundbreaking for the fine arts center were highlights of Presi dent Fred Young’s annual state of the college address to faculty members Aug. 28 in McEwen Dining Hall. Young focused on the progress made toward goals for the develop ment of Elon by the Centennial—March 11, 1999. He noted ac complishments made in the areas of admissions, the physical plant, program and development toward the plan which he introduced last year on this occasion. The progress made in admissions, he said, is reflected not only in a lower number of freshmen with predicted grade point averages (PGPA) below 1.8, but also in a 50-point increase of the average SAT score. Young said that as a result of these accomplishments, he believes “the caliber of the typical Elon student (will be) improved this fall.” "The number of students enrolling with PGP As below 1.8 has drop ped from 146 two years ago to 9 for the coming term," said the presi dent. “At the same time, the average SAT score has increased 50 points,” he said. About the fine arts center—a project Young said had been in plan ning stages for a decade—the president noted that $2.7 million was raised for the center during the PRIDE II campaign. That amount is nearly enough to build the music wing, said Young. He added that other financing arrangements should provide the capital to construct the other wing, which will house art and drama. Young said, “It is possible, even likely” that the college’s Board of Trustees will vote in October to build the entire center. Construction could be finished by 1987, he said. See President, page 2 Male freshmen enjoy motel accommodations By Michele Lashley Staff Writer “In a way I’d like to stay here at Elon, but then again 1 can’t wait to get back to the motel,’’said Chuck Staton. He is a freshman who has been placed in the Best Western. With nearly 1,000 freshmen expected on the Elon cam pus this fall, finding adequate housing will once again be Cultural Calendar Fall concerts, plays listed p. 7 a major problem for administrators. Students wil be stay ing in single rooms, trailers, apartments, houses, and the Best Western Motel. “About 85-90 people will be rooming at Best Western,” said Maureen Gagnon, who will be serving as resident advisor at the motel. “They will all be freshmen, so special efforts will be made to make sure they feel like they are Soccer Team opener this Saturday p. 10 a part of all campus activities geared toward freshmen.” “We’re going to provide a shuttle bus eight to 10 times a day to carry the students to and from the campus,” said Valerie Luko, assistant dean of student affairs. “That way, students won’t feel like they’re stuck in one place or the other.” See Housing, page 2 USSR T(^r Elon group spends summer weeks abroad p. 12