SCAD breaks record with largest first year class
Photo by Daniel Cheon
If things seem just a little more crowded this fall, it’s because the Savannah College of Art and Design made history this quarter when it welcomed its biggest first year class yet. With 1,573 first year students enrolled in the Savannah location, total enrollment at all four sites comes out to just below 12,000.
“With the help of our student success and orientation staff, new students have made a smooth transition to SCAD. We all wish them the best of luck this quarter and beyond as they pursue their dreams,” said Associate Vice President for Admission David Pugh.
He said some adjustments have been made but overall things are going well.
“No significant challenges have risen as a result of the numbers,” said Pugh. “We did re-implement some policies and procedures related to housing.”
For example, the department of residence life and housing had to shift its Turner House residence hall from double to triple occupancy, as it was in previous years.
The increasing numbers have caused other headaches for both lower and upperclassmen. For example, students are noticing dramatically longer waits at bus stops and are struggling to make it to back-to-back classes on time.
“Unfortunately, not all upperclassmen are able to have cars,” said second year advertising major Carly Ceo from Yardley, Pennsylvania. “Trying to leave Arnold, Wallin or Anderson Hall is both frustrating and inconvenient, as we are squeezed in between tons of students pushing for a seat.”
“I feel the bus system is a bit out of hand; there’s only so many people you can fit in a red bus,” said first year accessory design major Michael A. Kasey from Concord, N.C. “There are so many freshmen that sometimes we get a little violent to get on the bus and to get to class on time.”
“I actually believe it’s one of the awesome things that SCAD has to offer. I won’t say best because it has its problem areas here and there, but it provides me with a great option to get around when I need,” said first year film and television major Vic Llang from Portland, Oregon. “I’m grateful for the bus system overall.”
Although the first year class has aired a number of complaints about the bus system, they gave highly positive feedback about other aspects of SCAD life.
“All of my classes are amazing. I was figuring they would be overcrowded because of the large number of people taking foundations,” said first year animation major Meghan McGlaughn from Southside, Alabama.
“As for residence life and classes, they are really informative and safe and just a lovely environment to be in,” said Kasey. “The staff is attentive and helps us with a lot of things and I’m glad we have them for the first stressful year!”