Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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Although not as big as Texas A M or the University of Texas, Texas Tech University ex- perienced an enrollment increase that pushed the enrollment figure past the 25,000 mark for the first time. A survey showed that the 1 989 Texas Tech enrollment increase was due to the quality of programs, the friendliness and attractiveness of the campus and the quality of on-campus housing. The survey, conducted by the Office of New Student Relations and designed by the College Board, showed that students who associate an exciting or challenging Image with a university are more likely to enroll In the university. With higher admission standards, Tech saw a decline in the number of entering freshmen and students applying for re- admisslon. This did not affect returning students, however. Because of the in- creased retention rates and a constantly Improving image, more incoming students were able to see Tech as an exciting and challenging place to attend school. Texas Tech ranks high In national sur- veys In the areas of contacting potential students, post-admission communications and college publications. Tech ranks high- er than other colleges considered by stu- dents and even higher in national aver- ages In attracting incoming freshmen. The ease of getting home Is one of the greatest concerns for prospective stu- dents. Compared to a national average of one-third of students being 300 miles from the school they choose, two-thirds of Tech ' s students are 300 miles or more from home. Although the 1989 freshman class was smaller than the previous year, record- size freshman classes for the past three years helped Tech reach its record enroll- ment of 25,027 this year. The Office of New Student Relations worked toward creating an Interest In Texas Tech and persuading interested students to enroll. Our main purpose Is to provide accu- rate and timely information to prospective students, ' ' said fvlarty Grassel of the Office of New Student Relations. Visiting high schools and sponsoring University Day are two ways New Student Relations introduces Tech to prospective students. The office responds to all re- quests, whether by phone or mail. The Office of New Student Relations also initiates contact with target -areas such as transfer students, minorities and the academically superior. Several of the Individual colleges have student groups who help with such recruiting. Through the efforts of New Student Relations and student groups. Tech ' s high enrollment is proving to critics everywhere that Texas Tech is twice the university. TECH ' S IMAGE IMPROVES By Anita Wilson and Debbie Garcia Students who remember long registration lines made within the past few years. James Grimmett at West Hall can appreciate the improvements registers with Christie Johns at the University Cen- ter. (Photo by Corby Roberts) Designed by Lora Lutz Total Enrollment for the Fall Semester Information provided by the Office of Statistics and Reports Graph By: Greg Humphries Record Enrollment — 13

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TASP TEST CUTS SUMMER SHORT By Debbie Garcia Just as incoming freshmen were breathing a sigh of relief after taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test, Texas insti- tuted a new law that required yet another test to be administered. The TASP test, given by the Texas Academic Skills Program, measured col- lege-level skills of freshmen in reading, writing and mathematics. The test was mandatory for all fresh- men who wished to enroll in upper-level courses or register for credit courses in the spring. Those freshmen who did not take the test before the spring semester were forced to register for remedial courses for that semester. A grandfather clause within the new law enabled students with three or more college credit hours before the 1989 fall semester to be exempt from the test. Many freshmen cut summer short and started college early to avoid the test. To claim exemption through college credit, a course that was acknowledged as college credit from the institution from which it was being taken had to be pas- sed. Raider Recruiter Leslie Hanson gives a group of poten- tial Tectisans a tour of ttie campus and talks witti the students as they pass the business administration building. (Photo by Barry Johnson) 12 — TASP Test

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Sgt. Debra Parke of the Police Services Depart- ment clocks in a car traveling 30 miles per hour in front of Knapp Hall and the University Center, (Photo by Greg Humphries) New Radar Gun Flashing blue and red lights from a police car may frighten some Tech students. This year the university police intro- duced an improved radar gun to better- monitor speeding on campus. The old gun was just too outdated, said Sgt. Debra Parl e of the university police. We revamped the old system for better efficiency and safer streets for pedestrians. The police have not been able to tell statisticly how well the gun has worl ed, although there has been an increase in citations. They are measuring it by the decrease in the number of wrecks and on fewer street safety complaints. Some students view the radar guns as a nuisance, but many agree that they have to dodge fewer maniacs on the road and are more aware of speed limits. — Jennifer Galle ' Finding a space in commuter lots is nearly impossible for students during morning hours. Students became frustrated because fewer com- muter spaces were available this year. (Photo by Greg Humphries) 14 — New Radar Gun