The incoming freshman class has been called the best that NU has seen in its history, according to Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Philomena Mantella. Factors contributing to this revelation could range from advancements made in education, technology or the university’s ability to attract more gifted students.

But if you ask the Dean of Student Life Ron Martel, he’ll tell you to start with the basics.

It’s all about the parents.

“Along with the profile of the incoming class, comes a more astute family that has done more research,” Martel said.

He runs an information session during each orientation entitled “a conversation with the dean,” where he fields questions from parents on a number of issues.

“This year there has been a true reduction in the number of questions raised and a lot is due to cyber space, and the information that is readily available. It allows parents to communicate in a number of different ways,” he said. “This particular group of parents are more involved and invested. They do far more homework.”

Student Government Association President Michael Romano agrees with Martel. He said he was shocked when parents approached him with questions about issues facing students on campus.

“At every single orientation I’ve been to thus far — parents inquire further about sexual assault on campus,” Romano said.

He said that parents will ask him if sexual assault is a problem on campus and he replies honestly with a “yes.”

Parents, he said, are already aware of the debate of whether of not the university should hire a rape crisis counselor. Parents ask Romano, he says, “Why is it a problem? Why is the university reluctant to provide the additional service?”

Romano said parents know of the issues from bulletin boards in the hallway that connects the Ell Building to the Curry Student Center, online campus publications and the “general buzz on campus.”

Though he tries to answer parents honestly, he said at times, he is torn.

“On one end I want to comfort incoming students and parents so they feel secure on campus,” Romano said. “But on the other end I feel almost obligated to inform them that there are and have been students that were sexually assaulted on campus that have needed and requested better services and have been denied.”

Martel said that one of the main concerns he hears from parents at the information sessions is security on campus and crime.

“The parents from the more rural, suburban areas are more concerned with their child’s adjustment, to encourage them to be mindful,” he said. “The orientation leaders are the most credible source, it is always better to hear from them. A lot has changed on campus, the environment has changed. Summer orientation is good at putting a lot of parent’s fears at rest.”