Graphic By: Tim Tuley

The definition used to classify the school as a “universities-master’s,” according to the report’s website, is simply that there is a developed undergraduate program which includes some master’s programs. Each school is graded in a variety of areas, and these scores are calculated in a statistical model which establishes the ranking.

Seventy-five percent of this score is obtained through a “formula that uses objective measures of academic quality such as graduation rates,” according to the publisher. The other 25 percent is figured from the scores of a peer assessment survey filled out by the president, dean of admissions, and often the vice-president of the university.

This survey is weighted more heavily than other factors, such as with graduation rates. Completed by figureheads at comparable schools, this questionnaire helps determine a university’s success in the community, and lends some personal attention to a mathematical equation.

According to Dr. Rick Slavings, vice president for University Planning and Research, Radford “outranks schools ahead of us on peer assessments and retention rates.”  The overall score is based on a number of variables collected who all carry a different weight in the statistical model.

Ahead of RU in the 49th spot in the Nation on the famed list are Virginia’s own Lynchburg College (43), Longwood University (36), Hampton University (26) and James Madison University which was placed second.

So how can Radford push to the top of the guide?  “We are already within the top tier of a four tier system…we would like to see the ranking within the tier move up,” said Slavings.

To make this move, certain variables of the model need to be improved numerically. Improving financial resources would be a huge step in the move upwards, Slavings mentioned, since this would givethe university the money needed to hire more faculty and thereby lower the student/faculty ratio and reduce class sizes.   “Bringing in more faculty…is a good thing to do,” said Slavings.

Just this year, the university hired 46 new professors, and has kept busy with new proposals and projects. RU President Penelope Kyle has also been working to increase our incoming SAT scores (up 15 points), and of hearing plans for the “West Campus” proposals (presently St. Albans/Business Tech park across the river) in which Kyle “envisions an Academic Village concept.”

The Board of Visitors' Executive Committee will meet later this month to approve a restructuring plan that includes strengthening the university’s current academic programs. It is clear the school is busy working to remake RU’s image and to improve its overall appeal.

Jennifer Arnold, a senior criminal justice major, is excited for the school about its commitment to improvement, and in particular about the shrinking class sizes. “In high school, you aren’t really used to being in big classes, so as a freshmen, the large classes can be pretty intimidating.”

Lee Thomas, a freshman history major, is interested in some sort of career involving international relations. “I wish Radford had more programs to choose from; the only international studies degree is a minor.” But with advice during Quest, Thomas was able to avoid the largest classes this fall semester. “I decided that I would rather not take Biology or any class that will have 200 kids in it for my first college classes…scary!” If faculty hires continue on the current trend, soon freshmen like Thomas won’t have to worry about picking their schedule around those big, intimidating classrooms.

With RU’s current success and continued growth, the university is sure to continue to attract new students. As one indicator, potential students and their parents should consider the ranking as a tool, while U.S. News and World Reports recommends that “students gather information on colleges in a number of ways --by talking to parents, high school guidance counselors…and from campus visits to form first-hand impressions.”