Better admit rate delights CF

The College Faculty received some good news Tuesday: the entering class has an anticipated admit rate of 58 percent. This figure is down from 63 percent in 1998, and 62 percent in 1997.

"We're quite optimistic," Dean of the college Clayton Koppes said at the CF meeting.

The decreased admit rate comes on the tail of a 9 percent applicant increase this year, due in part to the on-line application which appeared for the first time this year.

Koppes reported that 68 percent of the admitted class is female, but he said the figure aligns with the national average. Professor of Chemistry Norman Craig expressed concern about the comparison, though. "When compared to similar institutions, Oberlin is very much an outlier," Craig said.

Koppes said he would relay the concern to Director of Admissions Debra Chermonte.

The remainder of the meeting went very quickly, with the faculty approving a three-year rule for eligibility for research status. The rule would put into writing the practice of waiting two years after being hired to go on research status. The rule will require a professor to teach six semesters before he or she could apply for research status.

The faculty also heard a brief College Faculty Council report from Bob Geitz, associate professor of computer science. Since the March meeting, the college has run 11 tenure-track searches and hired the top candidates in eight of those. (see related story page 3)

The CFC also has put together the Arts and Sciences half of the Luce Professorship appointment committee. The Luce position will be a joint Conservatory and College position next year.