As the deadline for applications looms, Wilson School hopefuls may be pleased to hear that the department has decided to take 10 more students than in previous years.
According to Wilson School dean Michael Rothschild, the reasons for the increase stem from greater student participation in study abroad programs. "Over the past few years we've been sending more task forces abroad," he said. "Since more students are abroad for their junior year, there's room for more [Wilson School] students."
Each task force consists of eight to 10 students. This spring there are two task forces abroad — one in Israel and one in Australia, Rothschild said.
He noted, however, that to prevent overcrowding, the Wilson School would need to maintain a consistent number of students studying abroad. "We hope to send [task forces] in the fall as well, but it is very hard to coordinate the academic calendar," he said, adding that study abroad programs are more common in the spring.
"I hope that a significant fraction of the [increased number of students] do end up taking advantage of the opportunity to go abroad," Rothschild said. "I would be disappointed if that were not the case."
Wilson School major Matthew Chou '00, who is a member of the Wilson School student advisory committee, said the department has urged students to study in foreign countries. "The Woodrow Wilson School in recent years has made a conscious effort to encourage students to go abroad," he said.
"It's great that we are able to accommodate more students," added Chou, who participated in a task force that went abroad last year.
Stanley Katz, chair of the faculty committee for the Wilson School undergraduate program, said he was pleased the department would be accepting more students. "This is a step in the direction of fulfilling the demand for [the Wilson School]," he said. "We would really like to be able to accept more students but we can't take everyone."
New task force
To accommodate the increased number of students, the Wilson School will be adding a task force to prevent the class sizes from becoming too large, according to Katz. "I didn't want the size of the task forces to increase," he said.
"I view this as a test," he added. "If we can handle this without noticeable strain, I would be in favor of increasing the size further, probably in increments of 10, but nobody has discussed that yet."
Rothschild noted that before task forces involving foreign study were introduced to the Wilson School curriculum four years ago, it was very difficult for students in the department to study in another country. "It is kind of embarrassing that the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs made it impossible for students to go abroad," he said.
Next year the Wilson School plans to send four task forces abroad, two in the fall and two in the spring, Katz said. Sixteen to 20 spaces in the school will remain, vacancies that will be partially filled by the additional students.
In addition to the increasing number of students studying abroad, Rothschild also noted the Wythes committee's recommendation for increased student enrollment in the University and the effect this could have on the size of the Wilson School.
"Presumably if we admit more students, more students would want to apply [to the Wilson School]," he said. "I wasn't talking about [the Wythes committee recommendations] when we decided to do it but the faculty is thinking about that now."
Construction
In addition to the changes in the number of students admitted, the Wilson School's building — Robertson Hall — will also undergo some major renovations.
Following the completion of the construction of the Wallace Social Science Center early this summer, renovation of Robertson will commence. The project is slated to be completed in February 2001, Director of Physical Planning Jon Hlafter '61 said.
The Wilson School library will move into Wallace in July, leaving the space in Robertson open for renovations, he said. The library will be converted into offices for faculty, graduate students and student services, Hlafter added.
Even though construction will continue through the fall semester, Robertson will remain open, according to Hlafter. "During the summer there will be some time when the building will be closed, but it will remain functional for the fall semester," he said. In the fall the renovations will largely be limited to the library area, he added.
"The summer will be the time of significant loud, dirty disturbances," he said. "The whole point is to get that done while people are away."
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