The Enrollment Management Team met from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 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.

Sue circulated a corrected copy of the minutes of the February 19^th meeting, and they were approved. Carol provided an update on admissions for the traditional-aged and 23+ Program students. A copy of the report, dated March 16^th, is attached to the official minutes. Sue announced that the Presidential Scholarship Program has been inaugurated for freshmen entering in 2001-02, with awards available for at least two superior students. These scholarships are valued at $10,000 per year, with the opportunity of applying for additional funding (up to $5,000) to help cover the cost of a study abroad experience.

Ann Gleason distributed a report on campus-housing contracts signed by continuing students for next year (copy attached to official minutes). The number of students who have signed up for 2001-02 is well below the projections and below the number of deposits received at this time last year. As the deadline for applications for the off-campus option is March 26^th, it is too early to determine whether students expect to move off campus or if they plan not to return. Concern was expressed, however, that a good number of currently enrolled freshmen have not indicated their intent with regard to housing for next year. The numbers for the residence halls will be closely monitored during the coming weeks and months. It was suggested that Heidi LeCount might possibly be invited to the next EMT meeting to share her insights on the housing situation.

Sue raised a question about the feasibility of having a tuition deposit in the future for continuing commuters and for new 23+ Program students as a way of getting a better sense of the level of commitment to enroll. (NOTE: new freshmen and transfers pay a $100 advance deposit, whether or not they will be residing on campus.) The EMT was not in favor of an advance deposit for the commuting population specified in Sue’s suggestion.

Jeannie provided a brief update on Meredith’s Web Site. Dan Williams has presented to the web committee a proposal to clarify the role of the web site and the responsibilities of those involved in its development and maintenance. After some revisions, the proposal will go to the Senior Management Team. Jeannie hopes to have more to report at the April EMT meeting. There was a brief discussion of where the web master needs to be in the administrative structure, and the group then moved on to the Laptop Initiative. It was suggested that Karen Postma be invited to the next EMT meeting to talk about the project and how the technology staff will interface with the students. It was noted that the College needs to have clear network policies and procedures and that a handbook needs to be provided for the students.

Sue distributed a copy of the Retention Strategies Work Group Report that incorporates the responses to the recommendations received from various individuals throughout the campus. She asked the EMT members to review the report carefully prior to the next meeting, when a discussion will be held concerning any recommendations that the group believes still merit attention.

Sue then presented a revised recommendation concerning the EMT theme, which was edited by Rebecca and Sue. A copy is attached to the official minutes. After two suggestions were made for the wording, the group approved the recommendation, which calls for "an integrated strategy to focus on excellence in all that is provided by the Meredith community and in all that students and visitors to the campus experience." A question was raised about where the recommendation goes now, who addresses the points in it, and who decides on whether or not it will be implemented. LaRose and Sue will give thought to the appropriate process for consideration and, hopefully, implementation of the recommendations.

Ann led the EMT in a discussion of the 2000 Meredith College Freshman Survey (CIRP), which has been sent to various members of the Meredith community. A copy of the report is attached to the official minutes. Ann reviewed the findings and offered some comparisons to data on freshmen at other 4-year private protestant colleges and to the national sample. Sue indicated that her office is preparing the six-year trend report for CIRP data and that members of the EMT will receive a copy of that report when it is completed.

LaRose reported that the Senior Management Team is scheduled to participate in a "Money Walk" on April 3^rd. LaRose also announced that the groundbreaking for the new Science and Mathematics Building is scheduled for April 9^th and that the President’s annual report has now been published. Extra copies are available in the office of marketing and communications. Ann informed the group that a temporary director of academic advising has been hired to assist students and faculty.

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for April 16^th in the Admissions Conference Room.

Sue Kearney, Vice-Chair