Strategic Enrollment/Retention Management (SERM) Subcommittee

Meeting of November 17, 2009

The Strategic Enrollment/Retention Management Subcommittee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Trenda Boyum-Breen in the Saint Paul Room.

Present: Nancy Bagshaw-Reasoner, Ron Beckstrom, Trenda Boyum-Breen, YeeLeng Hang, Paul Hesterman, Robert Heuermann, Monir Johnson, Ed Mack, Rosa Rodríguez, Adrianne Slaymaker

Absent: Robert Bode, John Henrickson, Daryl Johnson, Noel Opoti, Gary Seiler, Jill Wilkie

Guest: Gary Fretwell of Noel-Levitz

Welcome / Members were welcomed and introductions were made. Gary Fretewll of Noel-Levitz, who has been retained to assist Metropolitan State in a strategic examination of recruitment and retention efforts, was welcomed.
Members of SERM provided Mr. Fretwell with organizational background and an historical perspective on the university’s enrollment management efforts.
Review of Preliminary Results of Adult Student Priority Survey / Mr. Fretwell reviewed very preliminary results of the recent Adult Student Priority Survey. Early indications are that satisfaction with the admissions and financial aid processes are somewhat below national norms. Concerns were expressed by SERM members that the university is in financial distress and is without a strategic recruitment or staffing plan, at a time of significant enrollment growth. Mr. Fretwell affirmed that there is a danger of reaching the “capacity point” at which flat staffing levels in the face of increasing enrollments result in deterioration of instruction and service, with the result of a flattening or drop in enrollments and image. He noted that this initially manifests as a drop in retention, which is followed by a subsequent drop in ability to recruit students. .
Members of SERM noted that consultants retained by the university since 1986 have consistently noted how much the university does with so little, but consensus is growing that that the university is at the breaking point.
Next Steps / 1.  In December 2009, SERM will complete the institutional self assessment and a engage in a thorough review of survey data.
2.  In 2010, Noel Levitz will conduct a need/gap analysis that will inform the development of a 3-5 year enrollment management plan. The information provided at this meeting will be built into Mr. Fretwell’s next presentation is scheduled for January 2010, as part of the university’s self assessment.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Lacy

Recorder