<p>Chicago will not change its college size, it used to be smaller and it was recently increased, and it will not change its Core. Perhaps those less familiar with the school do not understand its place in American education. Chicago is considered to be perhaps the last truly great university in this country. It is informative to listen to the presidential press conference where those values are clearly stated (<a href=“University of Chicago News)%5B/url%5D”>University of Chicago News)</a>, particularly telling is the report of the faculty representative of what others think of The University. If a student does not share those values the student should indeed look elsewhere or they may indeed end up feeling morose. For those that do share them, the feeling is exhilarating, and the pride of belonging to such an institution almost too much to contain. (For a look at those values see: <a href=“http://iotu.uchicago.edu/levine.html[/url]”>http://iotu.uchicago.edu/levine.html</a>)</p>
<p>This why a lightening up of the Core in 1999 almost produced student riots, and why many alumni were opposed to the Ratner Athletic Center, and the Max Palevsky Dorms. Having said all that, I do believe making sure there are great strides to be made in building new dorms, performing arts centers, and dinning halls. New academic facilities are being built at a blistering pace, but I think more attention needs to be paid to remodeling some of the older facilities as well. There have been many improvements in marketing in recent years as well. The University is getting the word out that this is not your typical top tier school, this is a demanding academic environment where inquiry and rigorous debate are required at all levels, starting day one, …but that it also has a keen sense of humor to go along with its more intensely academic side. This is what ultimately gives Chicago its self-selecting criteria, form the time the first post card arrives, until student decision day on May 1, the debate rages, fully informed, “Is this the life for me?” The University wants those who embrace it and love it for what it is, not for what they hope it to be, or what might have been. The school does not hide what it is, those that embrace it will be happy, those that come for prestige only will find it comes at a high price.</p>
<p>Keeping its values and maintaining its integrity in this day and age, many consider true out-of-the-box thinking. While others become me too universities, U of C, remains the uncommon, the one school that can still be refered to as “The University.”</p>