last night's meeting

[AusTxPony]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

[PonyKai]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

uh...space?

[smupony94]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

uh...space?

we had 25 acres until recently

[diamond_tom]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

Student to Instructor Ratio

[East Coast Mustang]

I'm well endowed

[Dutch]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

uh...space?

we had 25 acres until recently

if you're referring to the Bush Library, that was specifically purchased for that use. only university land it took up was the old discus/shot put field and a handfull of apartments. the University Gardens land was never for any other use.

just don't tell gary vodika

we don't have the infrastructure to add students w/o creating new colleges. business school can't support any more - classrooms are maxed out. i don't know about the other schools, but it would seem to be the same.

we have land across central expressway for more buildings.

[ponyte]

I am amazed that we had 6000 fans when tickets sells were reported at only 1000. Given that this was a 'road' game and when folks had other obligations(kids in school), I think this is a respectable turnout. And more than I expected.

And for the 6000 that did show, to me it was a much more engaged crowd than at Ford. Something about a bowl game and on the road seem to decrease folks inhibitions to cheering.

It can and will be better. This was one fantastic trip and I am not even a part of the Dallas or other strong alumni based cities' crowd. I would strongly recommend, if possible, for folks to consider going to the next bowl game. It was a blast.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The academic types and athletics types can always spin the numbers to support their needs - but there is no doubt donations to the general funds go up when the athletics are doing well, so they definitely feed each other.

Other less-measurable money is also a lot greater on stuff like SMU merchandise when athletics are doing well.

I kept telling people we would have 3000 at the bowl game and everybody laughed at me. The 6000 number is legit and the SMU faithful always come through in expected circumstances (for football).

It all has to do with playing "important" games and having SMU be competitive. We had a good home crowd for the TCU game in 2010. We had a good crowd for the Armed Forces Bowl (selling out our allotment when a lot of people said we wouldn't.

The one thing that concerns me about the Big East is how "big" these games will come across to the average SMU fan. Look at the UCF game this year. For people in the know it was a HUGE game, but the crowd didn't turn out that way because UCF is just another C-USA team to people who don't really pay attention.

[Mexmustang]

A littlei misleading-- the so-called deficit includes fully markedup scholarship charges for all athletes, not just salaries and operating expenses. How much marginal cost does the university really incur?

[ALEX LIFESON]

I am amazed that we had 6000 fans when tickets sells were reported at only 1000. Given that this was a 'road' game and when folks had other obligations(kids in school), I think this is a respectable turnout. And more than I expected.

And for the 6000 that did show, to me it was a much more engaged crowd than at Ford. Something about a bowl game and on the road seem to decrease folks inhibitions to cheering.

It can and will be better. This was one fantastic trip and I am not even a part of the Dallas or other strong alumni based cities' crowd. I would strongly recommend, if possible, for folks to consider going to the next bowl game. It was a blast.

100% agree!!! I had a great time!

[well travelled pony]

SMU would have to started increasing enrollment many years ago to make any impact now, or even any time soon. I think it would be wise to increase in small amounts, and grow on an incremental basis. I went to SMU because it was a smaller school with a good student to teacher ratio. I would not want SMU to give up on that positive point. However, it would be beneficial to allow a way to develop the school and its alumni base.

Go Ponies!

[East Coast Mustang]

Yeah, they can't expand overnight. They are building new dorms behind the bookstore, though, right?

[Mustangs_Maroons]

I've often wondered why we don't increase the undergrad student population by about 5,000, taking us to 15,000 overall. Is there any apparent reason? Just asking because it would help attendance at sporting events.

Because we would decrease the quality of students. We would have to also increase the acceptance rate, which is already too high. Higher UG student populations have nothing to do with endowment. Look at the top schools, most have all small UG student populations and yet have plenty of "money."

I also came to SMU because of the education and our smaller class settings. I have a feeling many of us felt the same way.

[Dutch]

It is commonly referred to as the 1%

[PerunaPunch]

Yeah, they can't expand overnight. They are building new dorms behind the bookstore, though, right?

I believe what you're referring to is going to be a new complex that will house sophomores, who will now also be required to live on campus. I think this is a very GOOD thing for building deeper ties and more loyalty to the university, may improve grades and improve attendance and various functions (like sporting events) as well.