Response to "Why Are They Leaving"

Letter to the Editor of Columns

May 1, 2009

The vast majority of students who enter College of Notre Dame of Maryland as freshmen continue through to their sophomore year, contrary to what was reported in "Why Are They Leaving?" in the spring issue of Columns. Among the reasons students remain at College of Notre Dame is because of the strong academic environment and the extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

College of Notre Dame's educational offerings provide research opportunities and experiences that allow students to receive prestigious honors. This year alone, two College of Notre Dame seniors received Fulbrights to teach English abroad next fall. For the third year in a row, College of Notre Dame students received a Projects for Peace grant to conduct research, this summer in Kenya. Two of our students will travel to Peru in June to participate in Service Abroad. They will work with the School Sisters of Notre Dame there, assisting handicapped children in poor, marginalized areas near Lima.

A number of new activities were added this past semester (examples include powder puff football and ultimate Frisbee) as a result of student requests. More will be added in the coming year. Another new initiative, the establishment of Omega Phi Alpha, a national service sorority, was started because of student interest. Students have the power to make new events and programs take shape on our campus.

Additionally, Doyle Hall will undergo significant improvements over the summer, from installing ceiling fans and painting of the rooms to tiling the floors and providing area rugs. Starting next fall, free laundry will be provided to resident students. The College is also in the process of creating new gathering spaces on campus for students to use for relaxing, meeting or studying.

Heidi Fletcher Vice President for Enrollment Management