Alcala Yearbook 2001

&Soul

The strength of the mind, body, and soul of the students is a powerful tool: to each individual, to each other, and to the Uni– versity as a whole. Every year our Admissions office accepts thousands of applications from high school seniors across the nation wanting to expand their mind at a university in which values are held at the highest level of esteem and where the importance of education soars amongst fellow students. This past year, one thousand twenty-five students enrolled in the University of San Diego's undergraduate program as the class of 2004. Although enrollment declined slightly from the previous year, requirements for admit– tance into the University have increased. Just over the past year the average SAT score has increased from 1160 to 1190, the aver– age ACT score has increased to a 26 and the average GPA to a 3.72. Overall, the increase in expectations for applicants demon– strates the direction the university is headed to becoming one of the leading private institutions in the nation. Over the past year, the body of our campus has expanded beyond our expectations. The opening of the Jenny Craig Pavil– ion and the future opening of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice only begin to show the changes being made around us. The University is striving to meet the continuous need for addi– tional parking and housing and the individual needs of each school to enhance learning opportunities. Meanwhile, USD stu– dents continue to excel on the playing field, inter-collegiately and intramurally. Numerous students take positions on the field to defend the honor of the Toreros or their individual organizations. The University of San Diego prides itself in the soul of the student body. The diversity offered here and the freedom to ex– press one's religious views in a safe and secure atmosphere is like that of no other university. The openness toward one's choice of religious or non-religious practices attracts numerous applicants, and many students return year after year for this reason alone. These three components are what separates us from all other universities across the nation. . . . . " .

Above: Col achis Plaza along with Copley Libra ry are amon g many popular places for students to hit the books.