Post by JohnGalt on Mar 31, 2011 12:59:57 GMT -5
While we all have memories of how great SPC was in our youth, the fact of the matter is that SPC has stood still in developing as an academic institution while our peer schools have moved in establishing themselves as quality institutions. For example, most of the schools on our BB schedule are rated way ahead of SPC. In last years US News & World Report of College rating, we are rated in a grouping with Georgian Court, William Paterson, Central Conn. State, and just beating out Caldwell and Kean University. In the ranking of best regional schools for the North East, Villanova is #1, but Loyola is #2, Fairfield is #4, Marist is #10, Manhattan is #17, Canisius is #20, Iona is #33, Rider is #36, Niagara is #58....SPC is #104 - in the 3rd tier! Other schools, Wagner is #25, Monmouth U. is # 40. SPC has done little to help itself in establishing it as a quality academic school.
Even in local high schools, the councilors rarely mention SPC as an option for seniors. I have 4 kids who went to Christian Brothers Academy and Red Bank Catholic, and when I went to College night at those schools, SPC wasn't represented. Most Jersey kids south of Hudson County don't even know SPC exits. Even my kids friends, when they found out I went to SPC, asked me where it was! If you think that the ratings are an aberration, the Princeton Review of Colleges has basically the same results as the US News & World Report. Kids and parents do read these publications to get some insight to schools. I know that I did and so did my kids, and their friend.
The best news I heard was that SPC is considering university status. Having "university" in its name will be a great PR move for the school. It will improve the perception of SPC as a quality institution, and, as we all know, perception is greater than reality.
Cindy mentioned Swarthmore and Williams as schools not having the University title. Well, they don't need one because the are two of the top rated liberal arts college in the nations and their reputation precedes them. Boston College, a university, couldn't change to Boston University for obvious reasons. We all tend to demean Monmouth and Rider because we remember them when they were, in our opinion, "rinky-dink" schools. But by going going to University status, they have improved their image and visibility dramatically, and this has lead to an increase in quality student enrollment.
I know that many of you will feel offended by this info, well don't take it out on me. I'm just the messenger. These are facts, or better yet, perceived facts. Believe me, I love SPC and have great memories, but times are changing and SPC has to change also. SPC issues are far greater than athletic budgets. If you improve the image of the school, it will bring in more students, revenue will increase, budgets will increase, the sports programs will benefit
And don't think that rival coaches don't use these ratings as another recruiting weapon.
Excellent quote, 68 grad; couldn't have said it any better. The gradual "dumbing down" of SPC gradually occurred over the 70's and 80's. Maybe an over simplification to spare our time here, but much of this for the "good-intentioned, socially-correct purpose of making the college (university), dream available to all, with less regard for qualifications and the sad consequences it has for those who have been "given" the privilege. Fr. Yanitelli and a number of the other well-intentioned believed that the college was more for the purpose of serving the community. Whether or not they recognized the consequence of this action, the college began to lose its stature, both academically and financially. As you point out, this is easily confirmed simply by comparing our rank today with what it was yesterday for some of the schools we compete with. Perhaps too late, but some recognized the failure of this endeavor, and are attempting to attract a better qualified and equipped student body. The construction of more student housing, a student center, additional majors, larger academic grants, are some of the measures being attempted to raise our standards and identity. Maybe too little too late. The consequences of our failed endeavors are obvious. What changes we are making now to reverse this trend will likely require some time to judge.