USD Magazine, Fall 1999

And the kicker: Even large public universities are trying to emu– late private liberal arts institutions values by offering "honors colleges" or "residential colleges." "Students today are much less desperate about that 'good job' than the generation of the 1980s," Lazarus says. "And they are much more savvy than we give them credit for. They do have values, they do have a strong central core of beliefs. The question for them is, figuring out all those things that they have the potential to do in their lives."

"We're looking at any growth very slowly and judiciously," Hayes says. "We are feeling the pressure, no question. If we wanted to, we could have 10,000 students this fall. But we don't want to be big, we want to be good. If there is growth, it has to be growth in quality, rather than quantity." University leaders plan on sounding that message of a high quality education well into the next century. A value-based, holistic education featuring small classes and teachers dedicated to guiding students toward their future goals will remain the cornerstone of a USD education. What will set USD apart from other institutions of its size, Hayes says, are programs such as ethics across the curriculum, a growing international education component and public service requirements in the classroom. Ministry, the arts and athletics round out the "whole body" concept. "You know what still flies in America? Especially in higher edu– cation?" asks Lazarus rhetorically. "A dynamic interaction between informed and inquisitive minds. And the dynamic behind that interac– tion is values. That is what we do here, and that is what we do well." School of Education Teachers must learn cultural, business skills far classroom al future he next generation of teachers will encounter one of the most significant challenges to the public education system in the nation's recent history - classrooms in which English is no longer the native language. Preparing educators to handle that challenge, as well as the accompanying social and cultural issues, is one of the primary goals of the School of Education. "The changing demographics of our nation's classrooms has dramatically influenced what we do in teacher, counselor and administrator preparation programs," says Dean Paula Cordeiro. A certificate program within the Learning and Teaching program encourages future teachers and school administrators to under– stand other cultures and study how children learn languages. And the school's Consejo Bilingue (bilingual advisory council) sends educators to Mexico to learn about our neighboring country's education system.

Most universities currently are flush with students, as the kids of the baby boom generation flood colleges. The trend is overwhelmingly evi– dent in California, which is bracing for "Tidal Wave II," which is pre– dicted to bring 714,000 more college-age students in 2010 - 36 percent more than there are today. That growth is eventually expected to stall, but the numbers are a challenge to smaller schools like USD, which strive to keep class sizes small to enhance personal attention. "One big piece of the puzzle in all

these questions about the future of higher education is the demand on colleges in terms of the number of students," Galloway says. "Part of the challenge at USD is getting our message out that we focus on teaching, that we take care of the student. We're not a huge university, we' re like family, and we don't want that message lost." The university's full-time student population hovers around 6,500, and Hayes and the trustees want to maintain the small college atmosphere, while at the same time accommodating all the bright young minds knocking on the door. If neces– sary, the trustees have indicated that would allow up to 7,000 students, but each added student requires space, faculty and funds.

pril 12 - Rodney King verdict sparks L.A. riots

1993

August - USD named site of presidential debate between President George Bush and contender Bill Clinton; canceled when Bush pulls out.

D•c. 6 - Men's soccer loses to top-ranked Virginia in the NCAA champi– onship, the uni– versity's closest

March 1 - 51-day siege of Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, begins.

1 - Capital campaign receives commitments of $45 million. y - Loma Hall opens, houses mail center, bookstore and class– rooms.

March - Women's basketball wins wee championship despite predictions of last-place finish.

Nov. 3- Bill C linton wins presidency.

brush with a national title.

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