CU prepares to call every incoming freshman

BOULDER – The number of applications was up. The number of students accepted is up. But University of Colorado officials want to know exactly how many new students are coming this fall, so staffers will hit the phones.

"The interest at the University of Colorado is at an all time high," said Kevin MacLennan, director of Admissions. "It does present some logistics, but we got on it early enough that I think when the students arrive on campus, they're going to be ready to go in a welcoming environment."

MacLennan estimates anywhere between 5,700 and 5,800 freshman will begin classes in the fall semester. Because the numbers are so high, CU officials are trying to pinpoint an exact number.

CU has already moved to turn the Athens North family housing building into freshman dorms, moving those tenants to other places on and off campus. That will create space for an additional 180 students.

MacLennan says even though an incoming freshman may be attending orientation this summer and has paid deposits for housing and classes, a number of students still never show up which is why the phone call efforts are important.

"Another third confirmation that definitely, 'Still, I'm planning on attending,' really solidifies the fact they will be a new student here on August the 25th," said MacLennan.

Marissa Morin and her mother Karen flew in from Los Angeles to attend freshman orientation. Marissa promises she will be attending.

"I was between a number of schools, but ultimately once I came here and visited, I just knew right away," she said.

Marissa says being a part of such a large freshmen class was a little stressful.

"Harder to get accepted to school and the whole admission process was a lot more difficult," she said.

Karen Morin says she likes the way CU has been handling it, but she does have some concerns in the back of her mind.

"You worry about how it will play out later on," said Karen. "Will they be able to get the classes they need for the next few years to graduate on time?"

CU officials say this freshmen class is not only the biggest, but on paper; it is the best, academically. MacLennan says there are more top echelon students coming to CU from Colorado and from out-of-state than ever before.

"Having top students bring their academic passion and their energy to the campus is our number one goal here at the campus," said MacLennan. "Because the life of the campus depends on the entering students every year."

Marissa says it's exciting.

"All different levels of people here, so we can all learn together," said Marissa.

Over the last 10 years, CU has endured a number of controversies largely focused around the athletic programs. MacLennan says the image of CU has changed dramatically because of strong leadership in every department to clean things up.

"I think one of the things that turned it around so quickly was a very aggressive approach," said MacLennan.

He says students and parents are buying in, just judging from the numbers. Applications jumped from around 19,000 for the 2007-08 year to more than 23,000 for the 2008-2009 year.

"You have a big campus with a lot of people, there's always going to be different issues," said Karen. "It's how they deal with them, where they are striving to go forward. I think that makes a difference."

On July 15, staff members in the housing department will begin the phone calls to verify exactly how many freshmen are headed to Boulder.