As the flame of summer slowly flickers out in the wake of the oncoming fall, the students of UVM return to a university still in a phase of change. Over the past few years, the school has undergone a constant reshaping of the physical layout as well as the workings behind the prestigious buildings that shape the campus.

For students both new and old, here are a few noteworthy things that are new for 2004.

Class of 2008

As the university continues to increase the size of its student body, this year’s class is evidence of a commitment to the high quality of student UVM hopes to fill classrooms with.

In an increase of about 65 more members of the Class of 2008 compared to that of last year’s class, there are some significant changes in the academic ratings of the two newest classes. The class of 2007 included 1,360 out-of-state students that had a combined mean SAT score of 1152. This surpassed the previous years class by just about 12 points. The class of 2008 is made up of 1,475 out-of-state-students with a combine mean SAT score of 1165.

Between Vermont resident students, there was a decrease this year from 540 to 525 and only a slight increase of SAT scores from 1124 last year to 1125 this year. The trend over the past two years of an increase in ALANA, or African, Latino, Asian, and Native Americans, has continued. From 420, for the class of 2006, to 470 for 2007, the enrollment is up this year to 520 ALANA undergraduates.

The Class of 2008 also contains 94 initial students enrolled in the university’s brand new Honors College. The goal of the program is to one day encompass 700 students from all seven undergraduate colleges. It is for students that wish to push themselves and fully explore their learning here at UVM.

The Honors College program will feature programs that are academically challenging and intently focused in an effort to improve the UVM academic community as a whole.

Renovation

As returning students are used to and new students are soon to realize, UVM has been undergoing extensive construction and renovation. The projects continue around campus as the 10-year vision set forth by President Fogel back in January of 2002 continues to move forward. On January 31, 2003 , President Daniel Mark Fogel articulated a bold and dynamic vision for the University of Vermont. The vision has served as the background for the University’s changing face. As many building projects take place at UVM, the already limited parking spaces available to students and staff has a resolution, but only after it gets worse. Compared to last year the number of available parking spots has dropped from last semesters 5,119 to only 4,865 this semester. This has been a side effect of the three-tiered parking garage currently under construction taking place on east campus. The parking garage, just behind Gutterson will add 550 new parking spots on top of the existing surface of the lot located just outside of the Patrick Gymnasium. With a completion date set sometime in January, the project is expected to provide the campus with an additional 400 parking spaces. The frequent crunch for parking on the UVM campus had become even more of a problem as a result of the construction at University Heights. Located just north of the Patrick Gymnasium, the new Student Residential Learning Complex has further cut down on parking opportunities. The residence hall will be the first one the University has constructed since the 1970’s. With an expected completion date of January 2006, the north complex will be opening with 200 beds by the fall semester of 2005, and the South Complexes’ opening sometime during the fall of 2006. Those interested in the environmental program being offered will be housed in the South Complex , while those involved in the Honors College will make their home in the North Complex. A total of 400 students is the goal the university hopes to achieve accommodate. Rooms will vary from singles to doubles to lofts to suites, and each room will have private or semi-private bathroom facilities with air-conditioning for those Burlington scorchers during the Summer.

STUDENT CENTER The student center originally conceived in the Summer of 2003, sets off to begin its first full year here at the university. The decadent wood-paneled center is located on the third floor in the Waterman building.

It was developed in hopes of ending the frustration that many students around campus feel during their interactions inside the waterman building, which included students having to visit several different offices within Waterman in their hopes of alleviating a number of administrative quirks. The center, which includes a 40-inch lavish LCD panel display, is staffed by a number of students. They are trained to quickly and effectively answer questions and provide information in assisting students with a number of problems ranging from processing a scholarship check to the dates of activities and events around campus. The center occupies the former location of the information services office.Before renovations began in the Waterman Building back in September 2003, the university created a student advisory group in an effort to reach the core of the dissatisfaction students felt with the old way. Through such student input, the new center, which features both a front counter for quick information and enclosed office space for more one-on-one help, should simplify many student transactions.

The offices of the registrar, student accounts, and financial aid, though structured differently will all be working together in staffing the center with the goal of providing students with a single location for general information, registration, and financial services.

The Cynic

The Vermont Cynic was founded in 1883 by a group of students that wanted their voice to be heard. Though the paper may not be something that is new to the campus, each year a new administration steps in and tries their hand at being the student voice of UVM.

As the paper evolves through the many different perspectives which contribute to it each year, the goal stays true to its origins, allow the students of UVM to speak their minds and effect the campus community that all students, professors, and faculty are an intimate part of. The paper is now approaching its 121st year and will continue to provide the community and students with information that effects them directly or indirectly.

As the year kicks off, all are welcome to write and be involved with the Cynic. The only prerequisites are that anyone seeking a position at the Cynic, care about what it is they write and that they work hard at providing in depth articles that stimulates the community.Meetings for The Vermont Cynic are at 7pm every Monday in the basement of the Billings Student Center, across the hall from the WRUV Radio Station. Bring your ideas, opinions, and cynical perspectives.