Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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The Yale Of The Midwest Described as one of Ameri- cais best public undergraduate colleges, Miami received na- tional recognition in Richard Mollis book, The Public Ivys. Miami ranked among the eight top public universities ac- cording to Moll, director of ad- missions at the University of California at Santa Cruz. The University kept a low profile with regard to the rating, distributing few copies of the book. Only 250 copies were sent to high schools and ad- ministrators at other schools. In light of the exposure, Mi- ami allowed its successes to speak for themselves. The ad- ministration felt the satisfaction and pride of inclusion among the top public universities was enough. I think people who con- stantly remind others how great they are can be boring, said Director of Admissions Charles Schuler. i'Likewise, universities that keep telling people how good they are can be boring, and sometimes that boredom can lead to resentment. This rationale seemed fitting for a university whose motto, Prodesse Quam Conspicimeans TiTo Accomplish Rather Than to be Conspicuous? Yet, exposure in The Public Ivys may prove to have a posi- tive impact on the number of applications to Miami in up- coming years, Schuler said. Iirn not sure it will have much effect on students from Ohio. However, it may have a great effect on those farther away, he added. Due to the high and rising costs of tuition in private insti- tutions in recent years, an en- rollment shift has begun - a shift away from the private and toward the public schools. This trend convinced Moll the time had come to recognize the na- tionTs top public universities, those in which academics and appearance most resembled their more expensive, private counterparts. Moll specifically based his determination on four criteria: admissions selectivity, quality undergraduate experience, funds and the resourcefulness to manage them wisely, and im- age or prestige. While the Chapter on Miami briefly suggests a few of its perceived drawbacksii e the no-car rule and the absence of a full engineering program e the emphasis focuses on the univer- sityis strong points with respect to the four criteria. The strong liberal arts tradi- tion and the two-thirds gradu- ation rate ihigh for a public universityi draw particular at- tention to Miami, along with the campus itself, described by Moll as having order and a manufactured kind of beauty. There is family at Miami, the old kind where people stick together, Moll said, adding that it is a closeness not only found among students but also among faculty. Moll depicted professors and administrators as friendly, polite and supportive of one another, and students as coming from the All-American mold, shar- ing values which tend to form common bonds. Thus, despite the administra- tion,s low profile policy, Miami received its share of deserved attention as one of the nations public ivys. A Steve Ross Public Ivys 29

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Right: Symbolic of much of Miami, the Beta Theta Pi campanile over- looked much of the center cam- pus, including the hub. Ringing every quarter hour, the Beta Bells kept time for everyone traveling out-of-doors. john Ficorilli 28 Public Ivys

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30 Hueston Woods Above: Scenic drives and walks through the park enticed students to kick back and enjoy a fall day. Sailing on Acton Lake lured others out for a day of recreation. Right: Relaxing on a sunny spring afternoon, students enjoyed Hues- ton Woods' variety of facilities. The park provided an easy place to escape from the pressures on cam- pus.