2008 Woodie Awards
After a History of High Marks and Higher Students, Manhattan Placed in Ivy League
Rhett Butler
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: The Triangle
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Felix J. Rothschild, Chairperson of the Joint Ivy League Committee came to the groundbreaking conclusion earlier this semester, citing the stories of bomb scares, firebombing, and shootings that Manhattan College was attributed to this year.
"Frankly, we're all a bit too stodgy," said Rothschild "I feel as if it is my sole duty to find new blood among us blue bloods, and through that, find some excitement in our 'Ancient Eight' through the induction of this noted institution built upon a hill."
The decision led some students to speculate what made such established institutions notice Manhattan College over so many other colleges nationwide. Some suspected that the brief cameo the college's quadrangle had in the award winning film, "A Beautiful Mind," made some notice the school as it was used to provide a backdrop similar to Princeton, a member of the Ivy League.
"It had to be that scene, we tell everybody about it." said one student currently working in the Admissions department as a tour guide, "Either that, or it's the excellent idea of planting eight trees in the quad to symbolize the eight semesters students spend at Manhattan... that is, if they don't transfer halfway through Sophomore year. Either way, our Basketball team goes to the MAAC a lot and our gym is freaking gigantic!" he continued.
Though this decision will give Manhattan substantial clout in accepting students, some administrators wonder if the school will lower acceptance rates, currently standing at 53 percent, according to The College Board's website (http://www.collegeboard.org/).
"Looks like we can't take just anyone anymore," said one administrator that asked to remain anonymous, "We get so many applications with SAT composite scores in the triple digits, and now won't even have the time to sit and laugh at those kids. We'll be way too busy trying to figure out how the hell we can get fewer kids in The North Face jackets, and more old-money trust fund babies in argyle sweaters. This is going to take a lot of work."
Voicing similar concerns, students wondered if they would be allowed to remain at the school as classes became tougher, acceptance rates drop, and classes no longer provide many students with a quiet place to sleep.