Dear Roosevelt Students,
Welcome back to campus! I hope you had a restful summer and enjoyed time with friends and family. While many spent time away this summer, there has been a lot of activity on campus to prepare for the return of our students. There is no doubt it’s going to be a busy fall, and I’m happy to provide you with important University updates.
I have exciting news to share that total student enrollment is running ahead by 7% from last year, which is being fueled by a dramatic increase in new students. Last year at this time, there were 1,046 new students registered, whereas this year there are 1,554 new students registered—an increase of 508 students or 49%. Preliminary new graduate international registration head count has grown from 38 to 292 (an increase of 668%), with the largest growth in the MS Computer Science program. This fall, international enrollment will be the highest in the University’s history. The preliminary new freshmen registration head count of 625 is up 46% from last year, when 429 new freshmen were registered. The largest freshman class in University history was 607 in 2014. This would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the admission, financial aid, marketing, advising, registrar, student housing and athletic departments. Every department and office contributed in a meaningful way, from helping to staff recruitment events, making phone calls to admitted students and hosting program information sessions. Thanks to everyone who supported our recruitment efforts.
Our new students hail not just from the Chicago area, but from across the country and increasingly around the world, which is a testament to Roosevelt’s increasing impact on the international community and the quality of our diverse programs. Our community has benefited from international students for many years, and you will experience a wonderful, growing reflection of these global scholars this year as we welcome hundreds of new faces from all ends of society. International students sacrifice the comforts of home and family to dedicate their academic lives to this community. They bring new, worldly perspectives to bear in the classroom. They introduce us to engaging cultural diversity, provide our teams with winning athletic prowess and can teach us life lessons unattainable without the privilege of their collegiality. Please help me welcome all of our international students. Help them understand why Roosevelt is their best home away from home. And learn from them, as we all can.
A big congratulations to our Roosevelt Honors Program, which welcomes a freshman cohort nearly triple the size of last year’s, with a 63% increase in total Honors membership from last year, including growing numbers in the transfer population. Newly introduced this year is the Eleanor Roosevelt Scholarship Fund, which provides Honors students a small scholarship recognizing their academic achievement. With increased membership comes expanded opportunities for specialized Honors courses, experiential learning on and off campus, and networking opportunities. Thank you to Professor Marjorie Jolles, Associate Provost for Faculty Development, Assessment, and Honors Executive Director, Honors Program along with Professor Sarah Maria Rutter, Director, Honors Program.
Our residence hall in the Wabash Building is at full capacity for the first time in many years. Move-in days are happening throughout the week, so be sure wear your Roosevelt green and give students a warm welcome when you see them. The Parent Lounge will be open Tuesday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 23 all day on the 14th floor of the Wabash Building. Feel free to stop by, get some coffee and get to know our new families.
We also continue to focus on needed resources for the Division of Student Affairs to ensure our students receive quality services and resources. Several initiatives will focus on mental health, including the hiring of a full-time social worker and expanded support services. Of note, this Friday, August 25, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., the Office of Career Services will host an on-campus and student employment expo for all incoming and current students to help them find gainful work. Sign-up for students is required, but stop by the Laker Union to check out the activity.
Peer reviewers from the Higher Learning Commission were on campus in April to follow up on the mid-cycle accreditation visit conducted in 2021. Specifically, the Commission representatives reviewed assessment, program review, how assessment and program review requests are formalized as part of planning and budget, and University resources. In each of these areas, the peer reviewers found that Roosevelt had made significant progress. As a result, the Higher Learning Commission determined that Roosevelt has now fully met all 18 core components of accreditation. Thanks to all those who worked on addressing these important issues.
In case you haven’t already heard, Roosevelt has been formally accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process. This provisional membership makes us Chicago’s ONLY NCAA Division II athletic program and allows our Lakers teams to join the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), which comprises 10 institutions located in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. After a transition year, student-athletes can begin to compete in tournaments and for conference championships, and this expanded athletic presence will challenge our teams with heightened competitions and expand Roosevelt’s footprint across the country. Mark your calendars for Homecoming on Saturday, October 7 at the Arlington Heights athletic campus.
Also, mark your calendars for the annual American Dream Reconsidered Conference from October 16-19. The full program can be found here. Be sure to check the website often for updates.
I invite you to join your colleagues for Green Up Clean Up Day on Friday, September 15 from 12-3 p.m. The afternoon will be dedicated to reallocating office supplies, recycling electronics and ensuring our professional spaces are clean and environmentally friendly. Wear your Roosevelt green, grab some coffee and a snack and get ready to spruce things up for the academic year! More information will be available on Inside Roosevelt.
Together, we have worked tirelessly to make our University a world-class institution. Celebrate our successes at the Welcome Party from 2-4 p.m. this Thursday on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive. Here you will meet students, faculty and staff while you enjoy some food, music and lawn games. Don’t forget to join me and your colleagues at 11 a.m. this Friday in the Goodman Center to formally kick off the academic year with our Convocation ceremony.
Thank you for your continued support, contributions and hard work. Together we are fulfilling our mission and educating the future leaders of the communities in which we live. I am looking forward to another academic year with you and as always, I welcome your thoughts and want to hear from you
With Warm Regards,
Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President