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MINUTES – FEBRUARY 19, 2001 Corrected
The Enrollment Management Team (EMT) met from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Monday,
February 19, 2001. Present for the meeting were Sandra Close, Bill Cox, Lori Duke, Rebecca
Duncan, Gordon Folger, Ann Gleason, Sue Kearney, Carol Kercheval, Jeannie Morelock, and
LaRose Spooner (chair).
LaRose opened the meeting with a brief report on items to come before the Trustees
later this week, which include the budget proposal calling for tuition to be set at
$12,300 for full-time undergraduates for next year, and a proposal for awarding honorary
degrees by Meredith College. She also reminded the group of the "Free Your Mind
Forum" to be held on Tuesday night. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new
math/science building is scheduled for April 9th.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved with one spelling correction. Sue then
provided final reports on the Spring 2001 enrollment (copies attached to official
minutes). Although the enrollment for spring did not meet the projections, the overall
budget for the year has been met due in large part to the healthy number of full-time
undergraduates enrolled in both fall and spring.
Carol provided application reports for both traditional and 23+ Program admissions and
reported on the recent "Think Meredith" party held in Charlotte. Sandra
indicated that the 23+ Program advisers are calling the new students who recently
enrolled, and their belief is that we will have good retention among this group. The 23+
Program staff is also clearing students who have completed their specified programs so
that the admissions office can get their admission confirmed.
Bill indicated that the financial aid staff is seeing more new students now, as well as
continuing to talk with enrolled students. Postcards reminding enrolled students of the
February 15th priority deadline have been sent. Many students have received
tentative answers about their awards, and the official awards will go as quickly as their
applications are completed with all required records. Bill also commented on the
attractive publications provided for their office by College Foundation, Inc.
The group heard reports about student issues, many of which have to do with retention
strategies. Ann reported on the decision made to ban smoking in the residence halls for
the remainder of the semester, indicating that the letter informing students of this fact
should be received by them today. There will be a question on the election ballot about
banning smoking in the residence halls altogether next year. There will also be a question
about extending Open House hours on the ballot. The diversity forum – "Meredith:
Is Sisterhood All Inclusive?" – will be held at 6:00 p.m. on March 29th,
and Ann encouraged EMT members to attend. Sandra reported that the Summer School Committee
is underway and is surveying students and faculty concerning their opinions and
perceptions. A comment was made that Peace College will offer the introductory mathematics
and English courses to entering freshmen and to other high school graduates this summer
and will also offer classes for non-traditional students. Bill commented upon the
state-of-the-art computer labs he had found on the Peace campus while holding a FAFSA
workshop there for area students.
Gordon indicated that she has received a creative ideas grant for a "spotlight
program" that will allow her office to work with academic departments to highlight
various major programs. The plan is to do five of these "spotlights" per year.
Rebecca informed the members that Meredith’s first undergraduate research celebration
day will be held on April 2nd and that a number of performances, exhibitions,
presentations and poster sessions will be given by students.
Several members reported on enrollment strategies / activities. LaRose had earlier
circulated a Stamats report (copy attached to official minutes) on the six most important
characteristics when considering a college, as well as on the top six sources of
information about colleges. The group thought that Meredith would compete well on the six
items that seem to matter most to students in their college selection. Sue indicated that
she has met with the new Director of Graduate Studies concerning enrollment issues,
admission processes and record-keeping. Jeannie indicated that there is a new ad, and
expanded advertising, for the graduate school. The recruitment plan calls for more
marketing to current students and more intense work with inquiry files to see who is still
a possible candidate for the graduate programs. Recruitment for the new program in
nutrition has been launched through direct mailings. As additional information for the
EMT, Jeannie also indicated that a "theme committee" is at work looking for ways
to tie convocations more closely to initiatives and to academic goals of the College.
Carol spoke about the recruitment of 23+ students that is taking place through the web,
in libraries and in group sessions. Sandra reported that she is preparing a proposal for
an honor society for non-traditional students and is having a lunch meeting with academic
department heads concerning the advising of the 23+ population.
It was agreed that Jeannie would provide a report at the next meeting of where the
College is on the development / revision of the web site.
Sue circulated a draft of a recommendation concerning the EMT theme, which will be sent
to the Senior Management Team (SMT) if approved. (Copy attached to official minutes.) Two
options were presented and the EMT agreed that the second, more specific one would be
preferable. However, a question about the language used – specifically the use of the
term "service" and how faculty might interpret and react to that term – was
raised. It was agreed that Rebecca and Sue would work further on the wording of the
recommendation and bring it back for further consideration at the next meeting.
LaRose indicated that her plans are to ask the SMT to undertake the "Money
Walk" once the new vice president for institutional advancement is on board. Lori
reported that there is now a student financial services supervisor, which is a new
position, in the accounting office.
The meeting was then adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19th
at 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Sue Kearney, Vice-Chair
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For additional information, please contact
Sue Kearney, Vice Chair of Enrollment Management Team, at 760-2364
Page created by Laura McClain, Enrollment Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Last modified: March 20,2001 |