Arts and Sciences Chairs and Directors Meeting

Arts and Sciences Chairs and Directors Meeting

minutes

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Ellis 113

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Attending:

C. Asleson, L. Bauer, S. Bergmeier, B. Carlson, R. Colvin, H. Duschinski, J. Dyer, T. Eisworth, B. Frank, J. Gilliom, S. Gradin, J. Grant, L. Hatch, D. Ingram,

K. Jellison, C. Mattley, B. McCarthy, S. Miner, R. Muhammad, B. Owens,

B. Partyka, B. Quitslund, L. Schoeppner, B. Shambora, G. Springer, C. Thompson, M. Vis, J. White, M. White.

Guests:

Candace Boeninger, Assoc. Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management and Director of Undergraduate Admission

Lindsay Shirk, Asst. Director for Communication

Megan Drapcho, Manager of Communication and Academic Relations

1.  Discussion items

a.  Admissions update and spring recruitment strategies

Representatives from the Admissions staff reported that current data indicates robust application growth for Fall 2017 and an increase in admitted students likely due to changes made in the Office of Admissions this year:

-Joined Common App

-Earlier application deadline - December 1(while retaining rolling admissions)

-Opening date for FAFSA is 3 months earlier (now October 1) using 2015 tax data (not 2016)

Suggestions and available/new resources for recruitment:

-New Technology: SLATE – customer relations management system. The system is used to trigger automated customized communication to perspective students and their families.

-Target specific populations

-Email messages (not letter content) including current stories, research, etc.

-Lists provided to faculty to make phone calls

-On line chat rooms with specific subjects – training is provided

-Student/parent visits (Gilliom will put together a tip sheet for departments)

-Student calling (Gilliom will gather information from Admissions and forward to departments)

-Interaction with faculty

CAS current recruitment initiatives in place:

-Department letter initiative

-Dean’s letter & Scholar’s letter to admitted students

-Postcards from current students

Frank encouraged all departments to take this opportunity to use available resources and new tools in recruitment strategies. Concrete actions/plans are needed to take advantage of the increase in applications and admissions. Frank is expecting complete participation and asked for suggestions by the following week.

b.  College retention efforts- we will be discussing ideas for increasing student retention and graduation rates

Asleson submitted a list of strategies for faculty to improve student retention including the following:

-Class attendance

-Homework

-Students helping students

-Student engagement

-Referrals

In addition Asleson noted that Kacey Schaum is looking for students that have completed internships to participate on panels for Career Week. In addition please encourage all students to participate in Career Week.