‘Exciting Time’ for Chapman

Calling it “the most exciting time” in Chapman University’s history, President James L. Doti said Tuesday that enrollment is fast increasing while classes remain small and ethnic diversity goals are being reached.

Doti, in his annual State of the University address, said that Chapman has expanded without compromising its small-town charm, broadened curricula and succeeded in attracting minority students without using a quota system or different standards of admission.

The 135-year-old liberal arts school is seeking new property next to its campus in the historic downtown where a new law school, chapel and perhaps athletic fields may be constructed, among other possible additions.

“I’ve been here more than 22 years, and this unquestionably is the most exciting time in the history of this campus,” Doti told about 100 faculty members, staff and students in the school’s Irvine Lecture Hall.

Doti said Chapman has, in the past six years, nearly doubled its net worth to nearly $90 million and increased its student population by a third while keeping its class sizes small. Including its 2-year-old law school, located off campus, Chapman has about 3,400 students and expects to have about 4,500 in the year 2000.

The growth has come without allowing the quality of education to suffer, Doti said. “Usually, quantity comes at the expense of quality. We have somehow been able to increase both,” he said.

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Don Cardinal, an associate professor of special education and president of the faculty association, said that he and most of the teaching staff share Doti’s enthusiasm about Chapman’s future.

“I think our future is as promising as it looks,” said Cardinal, who has been a member of the faculty for nine years. “I think there is a consensus among the faculty that this is the right direction for Chapman. We want to grow, and we have done some growing.”

Doti called the effort to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the university’s students and faculty members “critical” to the quality of education offered. Increased diversity has been achieved by reaching out to students in disadvantaged areas, he said.

“Everyone came in on the same standards as everyone else. . . . We did not utilize quotas,” Doti said. “What we did was make Chapman available to a larger circle of students. I really believe that if other schools did that, they would be able to accomplish what we did.”

Dolores Gaunty-Porter, an African American and professor in the School of Education, applauded the efforts that Chapman recruiters have made to attract students and faculty members with diverse backgrounds.

“I really appreciate the efforts made to address diversity here at Chapman. It’s beyond just words. . . . It’s more than just celebrating a holiday,” said Gaunty-Porter, who arrived at Chapman in August from Albany, N.Y. “It’s an attitude; it’s a respect for people, and that’s ongoing.”

Perhaps the most daunting task ahead is to raise money to achieve capital construction goals as well as to continue to offer scholarships, Doti said. He has suggested a goal of doubling the university’s endowment fund to $100 million.

“Doubling the endowment is a major task, an intimidating task. I’m hopeful the Southern California community will be responsive to those needs,” Doti said.