Students are looking forward to the opportunities available that come with university status.
Dixie Sun News randomly polled 100 students and faculty to find out what they are most excited for when Dixie becomes a university.
They were given five options: new degrees and programs, the university stamp on their degree, the elite status of a university, an increased student population, and the possibility of more campus activities.
University status means new degrees and programs and 35 percent of those polled found this the most exciting part of the change.
“I would really love to see sociology become its own degree,” said Katherine Mallon, sociology lecturer at DSC. “It’s a wonderful subject, and I feel it would add something enriching to this campus.”
New degrees and programs aren’t the only things to be excited about when it comes to DSC becoming a university. In the same poll, 17 people said they were most excited for the university stamp on their degrees.
“Seeing the university stamp on my degree will make my parents so proud,” said Alex Anderson, a sophomore CIT major from Pleasant Grove.
Students are also looking forward to the recognition and advantage they will receive from graduating from a university instead of a state college.
“Adding ‘university’ to any application will make you look more credible,” said Carlos Morgan, a junior communication major from Santa Clara.
With the new growth and university status, teachers are saying that more degrees will be added.
Derek Campbell, DSC football coach and physical education teacher said, “The number of degrees will increase as the school grows, giving the students more options.”
DSC’s university status will make the school more elite, and 12 people polled said that excited them most.
Morgan said DSC has the potential to become a highly respected university. When potential students hear about the success that students have at DSC, they will want to come to St. George for their education, which will make the school seem more legitimate.
“Dixie wouldn’t be just a state college that anyone could get into,” said Jamie Pearson, a sophomore nursing major from Salt Lake City. “People would respect a degree from a university more too.”
Other students are more excited about the fact that, as a university, DSC would be more likely to have an increased student population. Sixteen people polled said this was what they were most excited for.
“More students equals more diversity,” said Dakota Smith, a sophomore elementary education major from Heber. “Maybe with more diversity, St. George will become more open to other cultures and other people.”
Lastly, 20 people polled answered that the thing they were most excited about was the possibility of more campus activities.
“I think with more people coming here, more things like dances will happen,” said Cheyenne Dutson, a sophomore elementary education major from Hurricane. “I really think Dixie will try to push more student involvement by having more activities.”
While these students and staff are excited and ready for the changes that will be coming, they all said it will take time before St. George and DSC reach their full potential.
“The ideas will be put into place soon, but it will take time before we see a dramatic change,” said Mckenzie Hauver, a freshman physical therapy major from Overton, Nev.
As gradual and natural as the changes may come, students, staff and community members are ready and will be anxiously waiting. When the college grows so will the city, and St. George could become a major university town.
“The changes will be gradual,” Campbell said, “But Dixie State will continue to grow, and when that happens the city of St. George will grow, as well as opportunities for students.”
