Despite a 10% plunge in endowment in March, university endowment has increased from last year. "An endowment is a fund intended to benefit the university every year in perpetuity. Unlike current-use gifts, which are spent completely for immediate needs, endowed funds are invested for long-term growth and a portion of the return on those ... [Read More…]
Enrollment uncertain for spring 2021
Enrollment for the spring 2021 semester is uncertain, even with the increase in university enrollment for the fall 2020 semester. While overall enrollment increased, the incoming freshman class is significantly smaller than in recent years, with total freshman enrollment at 839 students. “There’s no doubt that the impact was COVID-19,” Long ... [Read More…]
POLITICO White House reporter to join SPJ meeting
ACU's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will welcome Gabby Orr, POLITICO White House reporter, for the next chapter meeting on Oct. 13. "I worked with Dr. Pybus, the faculty advisor, to come up with meetings and he mentioned he knew someone who worked with POLITICO, and we agreed it would be cool to bring her in," Sydney Varner, ... [Read More…]
Everyone needs to vote, no matter what candidate
Everyone is tired of social media, websites and organizations telling them they need to register to vote. While it's very annoying, the message is on target. Everyone should vote. There are several reasons college students choose not to vote. Many students feel like their vote doesn't matter, others find the process of absentee voting too ... [Read More…]
Eccentric individual unrelated to trafficking
While social media has been buzzing with reports about a woman flagging cars as a possible trafficking situation, ACUPD Chief Ellison says there is nothing to worry about. "We are always encouraged when our students are safety conscious, which is a good thing about this scenario that has unfolded across social media and the rumor mill over the ... [Read More…]
University removes standardized test requirement for fall 2021 applications
Students applying to ACU for the fall 2021 semester are not required to submit SAT, ACT or CLT scores to be considered for admission. "While we still recommend you take a college entrance exam as soon as you are able or submit the scores you already have, ACU will accept applications without test scores with no penalty to the student," ... [Read More…]
Wildcat Stadium implementing guidelines for fans
Fans at ACU football games will have new guidelines in place to comply with CDC regulations for the 2020 season. All game attendees will be required to wear a mask and are being asked to social distance while in the stands. Hand sanitizing stations will be dispersed throughout the stadium. "Fans who are not a part of the ACU community, such ... [Read More…]
Enrollment increases despite smaller freshman class, COVID-19 concerns
Overall university enrollment increased despite concerns that students would not return due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in enrollment is due to new online programs, according to Tamara Long, vice president for enrollment. ACU Online added 15 new online undergraduate programs this year and ACU Dallas added several graduate ... [Read More…]
Classes in Teague, gyms help to accommodate CDC guidelines
ACU's Campus Health and Safety Team's plan for fall return keeps students in-person through non-traditional classrooms and extended passing periods. The team started working in the spring with a subcommittee of academic members that included Dr. Jessica Smith, associate provost for curriculum and assessment, Dr. Bill Carroll, Chair of Faculty ... [Read More…]
Freshman Follies acts performing on TikTok
This year's Freshman Follies competition will take place via TikTok. Winning videos will premiere at the Town & Country Drive-In Theater. ACU's annual Freshman Follies is a freshman-only lip sync competition. This year, to comply with social distancing guidelines, freshmen will post videos on TikTok for judges to view, rather than ... [Read More…]