Student facilities at St. Vincent College, near Latrobe, are being expanded to accommodate the biggest freshman class ever.
But nothing on campus looks any bigger.
New housing is being created from existing space, the dining room is taking over an adjacent area and increasing hours, and classes will be scheduled so that the student/teacher ratio remains low.
"We won't be packing and stacking them," said Jamie Caridi, assistant vice president and dean of students. "Some colleges will do that, but we absolutely will not."
Enrollment swelled to more than 500 for the incoming class, the biggest in the college's 159-year history. Last year, there were 334 freshmen, which broke enrollment records.
The renovations to accommodate the new students will cost around $500,000.
"One thing that growth does is force you to be creative," Caridi said. "It charges you to work smarter than ever before and to become more efficient in using space wisely. It's become an exciting time for us, and we're doing several things to prepare for the August arrivals."
More than 1,600 students are enrolled at the Catholic liberal arts college founded by Benedictine monks. About 100 are part time, and 1,200 are residential. Last semester, there was space for 340 resident freshmen, but this year, about 430 are expected to live on campus.
Vice chancellor and president James F. Will attributes the enrollment expansion to a number of factors, including increased recognition of the college's academic programs, particularly in the business and science departments. The college also has revived its football program with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
"So we're having another influx of students who want to play football," Caridi said.
In January, a task force of faculty, administrators and students started planning how to accommodate more students without changing the heart of the college.
"We wanted to make sure that the characteristics which make our educational programs and campus living accommodations attractive to students are preserved," Will said.
Plans called for making good use of what was available by constructing new rooms in residential buildings. In Bonaventure Hall, bedrooms are being added to space on the ground floor, which previously was used for facilities management and storage. That will add about 10 rooms, each of which can accommodate two or three people.
Room space will be increased in Wimmer Hall, which had been traditionally occupied by upperclassmen. Three of the six floors will be offered to freshmen.
"There will be about 80 to 100 students living in private rooms there," Caridi said. "You would think that the biggest class would reduce options, but students can pick Benedict Hall, which was freshmen-only living, and have a roommate, or they can choose private living in Wimmer Hall, all at the same cost either way. The personal choice would depend on their needs because some students prefer to have a roommate, and others find private living more attractive."
The dining room is expanding into another area of Placid Hall that had been used for campus meetings.
"We're going to upgrade the meal plan to allow more flexibility so that students can eat at different times," Caridi said. "Before, the students would start eating at 5, but now they'll start at 4."
Nearly 100 parking spaces are being added to Lot A to accommodate more commuters and resident students with cars, and 200 more mail boxes are needed at the post office.
All of the renovations will be ready by the end of August, and this year, the freshmen arrival has been expanded from one day to three, Aug. 24-26.
"They'll be allowed to bring in their belongings and get a place in the dining room on Wednesday and Thursday," Caridi said. "Then on Friday, they can appreciate what move-in day is about instead of being stressed out."
