MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Enrollment Management Team (EMT) met on June 3, 2002, with the following members present: Sandra Close, Bill Cox, Lori Duke, Kristi Eaves-McLennan, Gordon Folger, Ann Gleason, Deborah Horvitz, Carol Kercheval, Sue Kearney and Sue Todd. Prior to the end of the meeting, Gordon and Sandra were recognized for their invaluable contributions and congratulated upon their upcoming retirements. Also, Jeannie Morelock was thanked in absentia for her work on the EMT. These three received gift certificates from Quail Ridge Book Store as tokens of appreciation for their service.

The minutes of the May 6th meeting were approved, with one editorial correction. By way of follow-up, Sue indicated that she will talk specifically with Dr. Reichard about the suggestion that the Staff Affairs Committee might be asked to plan a session on quality service for the Faculty and Staff Planning Conference in August. Sue shared with the Senior Management Team the valuable work done by the weekend committee and stressed to them the need for the College to make a culture shift that would emphasize a seven-day week, versus a five-day week mentality.

Ann provided a report on follow-up being conducted with students who have not signed housing contracts. Contacts have been made with most of the freshmen and letters have been sent to those who pre-registered but did not sign for housing. There are 14 upperclass students who want to move off campus but who do not have a 2.0 GPA. Also, Ann will be writing the students on leave-of-absence who should be returning in the fall.

Brief reports were given on new students and on pre-registrations. Carol indicated that there are currently 13 Teaching Fellows who have deposited and 22 students who have accepted the Honors Program invitation. Sue inquired what the team wanted to do about contacting students who have not pre-registered if it is possible to extract from Datatel the information needed – call , as in the past, or communicate in writing (Sue to do) due to the likely shortness of time. The members indicated that they would want to call the students. Sue’s office will continue to investigate whether or not good data can be obtained this year.

Ann circulated withdrawal reports for Spring/Summer 1999, Fall 1999, Spring/Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Spring/Summer 2001 and Fall 2001. (Copy attached to official minutes.) The reports provide numbers of traditional-age, 23+ Program and teacher certification students who withdrew and summaries of the major reasons cited for leaving. When provided, the names of institutions to which students were transferring were listed. Clearly financial reasons are cited more often, beginning in Spring/Summer 2001, but there continues to be a wide range of reasons for withdrawing.

There was some discussion of the report, and Sue requested Ann to provide data that combines the major and minor reasons so that we would have comparable information to previous years. Sue’s office will develop a three-year longitudinal study of the data. Ann reported that she and Sue Todd have developed a leave-of-absence / withdrawal packet for students who are choosing one of these routes.

Carol shared with the EMT information about the work of an ad hoc committee formed earlier this year to look at Teaching Fellows and Honors recruitment. Some of the resulting changes were early invitations and increased scholarship amounts for Honors students, pre-printed applications for Teaching Fellows, and a special TF information session at Junior Visitation Day. Recommendations were also formulated and given to Dr. Reichard and Dr. Hartford. Among the recommendations are a study abroad option for Teaching Fellows, each department or program having a web master / person to respond quickly to inquiries, all admission brochures and application to be placed on line, and e-blast capabilities.

Sue requested the group to contribute other ideas for how the College could raise academic quality, which is one of the I2000 goals. Discussion took place in which questions were raised again about whether or not the College is conveying its value added benefits appropriately and whether or not faculty and staff realize the impact they have on decisions (ideas that have been discussed by the EMT in recent meetings). Specific suggestions included the following:

· Promote undergraduate research, perhaps through an information session on this opportunity on visitation days.

· Publicize performances and research, including summer research, in hometown papers.

· Highlight academic aspects and how students are engaged academically to prospective students (e.g,. summer reading, orientation, pre-registration for freshmen).

· Clarify the benefit of having an academic major along with teacher licensure.

· Have clearer information about pre-professional tracks and the special advisers available for interested students.

· Expand and publicize IB and AP policies to appeal to students who have taken diploma-type programs in these challenging programs.

Sandra provided a report on the work of the 23+ Program Committee (copy attached to official minutes). Recommendations have been passed along to Dr. Reichard concerning some of the matters discussed by the committee.

No subsequent meeting date was set, although Sue suggested the possibility of a meeting on July 8^th or 15^th. The meeting was adjourned.

Sue Kearney, Chair