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Number of freshmen reaches record high this fall BY MICHAEL LAFORGIA THE GAMECOCK For the second straight year, a record number of freshmen are at tending classes at USC this fall, and growing class sizes will soon affect on-campus housing and ad mission standards, university of ficials said. Last year’s freshmen class, which included about 3,500 stu dents and is slightly smaller than this year’s, was previously the largest in USC history. That large class size took the university by surprise, and the resulting hous ing overflow saw first-year stu dents temporarily placed in three Columbia hotels until on-campus accommodations could be made. “This year, we made accommo dations for all freshmen to live in the residence halls,” said Dennis Pruitt, director of Student and Alumni Services. The university is currently building a new 500-apartment res idence hall, West Quad, which should be open next fall, to house more students, Housing Director Gene Luna said. In addition, Pruitt said USC is debating whether to tear down the Towers. He said although they are old, they offer cheaper housing al ternatives and a sense of hall ca maraderie to first-year students. Pruitt said USC admissions will also be more selective. According to Pruitt, Student and Alumni Services set goals for a freshman class size of 3,500 and an average SAT score of 1145. This year’s class size .is 3,522, and its av erage SAT score is 1146. This article originally ran in the August 21,2003, issue. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com CORNER OF LADY & ASSEMBLY ST. (DOWNTOWN) use & PALMETTO SANDLES I SPECIAL S 15.00 I WE CARRY: TIMBERLAND MERRILL AND VASQUE SHOES WOOLRICH COLUMBIA CLOTHING Ir^v. -;.v3 ^V^B * ":^-. •' I \ • isg'iv£jhy : 1 ■ ***AFFORDABLE * CHOICES** * ★ Stone Ridge Apartments Offers: ★ ir • Furnished & Unfurnished -* J • 1,2, and 3 Bedroom Apartments * ★ • Flexible Lease Terms ★ ★ CALL TODAY! 779-2373 * ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ JbIII : ' ► ttfi&BteStj&ip V<2%&Z&iSSffiVffi?' -^vjiw^ * ' -?= . • V i