The Enrollment Management Team (EMT) met from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on April 16, 2001. Present for the meeting were Sandra Close, Bill Cox, Gordon Folger, Ann Gleason, Sue Kearney, Carol Kercheval, and LaRose Spooner. Karen Postma attended part of the meeting as a guest presenter.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved, and the group then heard reports on applications and housing for Fall 2001. Carol provided information on traditional-age and 23+ Program admissions. A copy of each report is attached to the official minutes. Sandra updated the members further on the 23+ Program outlook by distributing a report on advising and retention (copy attached to official minutes). Sue informed the EMT that steps were taken this spring to restore the option of applying either through regular admission or through the 23+ Program to students who are age 23 or older. This option will be particularly helpful to women who are seeking second degrees, those who are currently enrolled in other colleges who would be qualified for transfer admission, and students who are applying for re-admission to the College. They will be able to gain full admission and go directly to faculty advisers, but will still have the opportunity to work with 23+ advisers on orientation and assimilation issues.

Ann distributed and discussed a report on housing prepared by Heidi LeCount (copy attached to official minutes). The total number of continuing students who have paid deposits/signed housing contracts for Fall 2001 is 621, which is down considerably from the projections. A total of 169 students have applied for the off-campus option; 162 have been approved. Ann indicated that the Longview Village housing project will not be available for next year, as had been anticipated. She reported that the housing office plans to contact current freshmen who have not signed housing contracts or initiated withdrawal procedures. After some discussion, it was agreed that the office will wait until freshmen have pre-registered and then tailor the communications to those students accordingly. Sue’s office will provide lists of the freshmen who have, and who have not, pre-registered as soon as all of the advising groups have supposedly filed their papers in the registrar’s office.

Karen Postma joined the meeting to update the EMT on the Laptop Initiative Project, which has now been officially named Meredith Technology Initiative. Approximately 50 faculty are receiving laptops this spring, and freshmen will receive their laptops on August 21^st. A student RTA (Resident Technical Assistant) will be available in each residence hall, compensated at $2,500 per year. Training will involve an initial general session, continuing sessions on special topics, "how to" documents on-line, and a technology handbook. Karen also spoke about the expansion of technology staff, wiring for wireless, and the option for upperclass students and faculty/staff to buy laptops if they wish. There were various questions and discussion centering primarily on the importance of good training and of high quality service in order to ensure the success of the project and the satisfaction of the students.

Sue led the group in a discussion of the responses to the retention strategies work group recommendations and the areas still needing attention. Sue reported that the items assigned to her addressing systemic needs still need attention and reported that several responses point to the needs faculty have for more support if recommendations made by the group are to be achieved (e.g., help with web sites and newsletters and with tracking alumnae.) Carol indicated that on-going attention is needed if we are to have "recruitment liaisons" in each academic department. Several members indicated that they believe the needs of transfer students and their advising are being handled satisfactorily now. The entire report was not covered and discussion will continue at the next meeting. However, the following recommendations were approved:

• That the College set a goal for the freshman-to-sophomore retention rate that would be no lower than the average rate achieved by selective public institutions in the nation, as reported in Postsecondary Education Opportunity each year.
• That the EMT investigate, starting with Dr. Reichard, the possibility of adding "support of recruitment and retention efforts" to the list of activities that are valued among a faculty member’s contributions to the College.

The group also asked Ann to investigate with Dr. Reichard and Dr. Jackson what progress has been made in establishing standards and criteria for evaluating faculty advisers, as there was an indication that work was being done in this area. Ann was requested to report back at next meeting.

LaRose informed the members that the SMT has completed a "Money Walk" focusing on the residence halls, that they praised the report of the EMT, and that they saw the needs that had been identified. Although some of the needs can be addressed, the SMT realized the complexity of the problem, as some renovations will require taking a residence hall off-line. When that happens, housing issues and increased costs of potentially lost revenue come into play. The SMT plans to feed the "Money Walk" report into the facilities study that is currently being conducted and into a long-term plan for renovations/refurbishing.

Sue distributed a copy of the final wording of the EMT recommendation concerning the theme, "It’s All About Excellence." A copy is attached to the official minutes. At this time, LaRose and Sue have not had an opportunity to discuss who should receive this recommendation and who should address the points included. They will report back at the next meeting of the EMT, which is scheduled for May 7^th.

The meeting was adjourned.

Sue Kearney, Vice-Chair