In fact, campus is a regular beehive lately, due to a large increase in enrollment of new students this year. During the months of August and September, 240 new students crowded the enrollment stations on the Fairfield campus and proceeded to start their studies. The University’s distance education program is also thriving, with over 100 new, full-time students enrolled in India. This brings the preliminary opening enrollment of new students this year up over 330, compared to a total of 240 in 1999.

Many feel that this remarkable growth trend is largely due to the University’s rapid progress in redesigning the campus according to principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design. "Our founder, Maharishi, made it very clear that by removing old, inauspicious buildings on campus and replacing them with proper Vastus, we would see an increase in good fortune for the University," says Brad Mylett, director of Admissions. "We’re in the process of doing just this, and I believe the results speak for themselves."

The promising increase in enrollment builds on a trend that began last year, when the number of new students leapt higher than it had in years. Leading the way is the very successful new MA in Computer Science Professionals degree. This highly popular program alone enrolled about 85 new students this fall, with an additional 70 to 80 students expected in January.

Financial support for the University has also increased. A generous gift of $1 million from Ted McLaughlin, a new member of the University’s Board of Trustees, and his wife Barbara will fund the construction of a new computer science building. The new 12,000-square-foot building will be erected on the site of the former Parsons Hall and will look similar to the Dreier Building. Construction began in October.

The historic Maharishi Patanjali Golden Dome of Pure Knowledge is also undergoing a major renovation, to bring it in accord with the principles of Natural Law expressed in Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design. The circle is being squared: A square building will be built around the existing building, then the walls of the circular building will be removed. The result will be a "Vastu-perfect" square structure, with the Golden Dome on top, an east entrance, expanded space for Yogic Flying, and lots of light and fresh air. The project will be completed next year.

Plans are currently under way for buildings to house the University’s high-growth academic programs, such as Maharishi Vedic Medicine, the Science of Creative Intelligence, Digital Media/Webster Design, and Management. New student dormitories are also being designed. With Phase Two of the campus reconstruction plan in full swing, the University is striding steadily towards its eventual goal of an entire campus built according to principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design.

"With every old building that we demolish and every new building that we build according to Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design, we can feel our expansionary momentum increase," says Craig Pearson, executive vice-president. "In just the last few months we have been riding a rapidly rising tide of increased enrollment, increased financial support, and increased public recognition for the University. All this will help us implement Consciousness-Based education around the globe, to create enlightenment for every individual and peace for the world."

Christine Schrum is a part-time student in the Masters in Professional Writing program at Maharishi University of Management