ARFAC Meeting Minutes 21 September 2005
Present: Amundson, Hellen (student), Kelly, Kyle, Porterfield, Reece, Strichartz
1. Agenda - Suggestions for the agenda were taken. Items can be considered specific to this meeting as well as for the 2005-06 academic year.
a. Student Binder
b. Faculty involvement in recruitment process
c. Week One - reflection of its role as a retention issue
d. On-going communication/updates from Enrollment Division regarding events/calendar
2. Faculty Involvement - Discussion on current practices and suggestions for further development of faculty involvement.
a. Support given to continue the “traditional” ways faculty have been involved - such as scholars’ day, and to make efforts to invite newer faculty members.
b. Make sure academics are “front and center” at key events such as Junior Day. Student related how faculty were not featured at St. Olaf events, but knew that had occurred at similar events on other campuses.
c. New approach being implemented for student visits to campus involving classes. Faculty were asked to submit syllabi and schedules to streamline process. Response from faculty thus far has been good.
d. Make sure faculty understand the admissions calendar and the various ways to be involved throughout process.
e. Provide a means for faculty to be aware of the “culture of financial aid” and the processes involved.
3. Admissions Calendar - Upcoming events were highlighted.
a. Fall Open House - occurs during MEA. Boe has produced a brochure. Angelique Deitz is coordinating.
b. Scholars’ Day - first Saturday in March (Music last Saturday in Feb.) Faculty participation with this event much more involved as it asks for assessment of candidates interviewed.
c. Spring Open House - April.
d. Applications: Goals are efficiency and a more assertive process. Overall intent is to make entire process easier and move it along earlier as a means to grow pool. Additional hope is to be able to track applicant contact with the campus. Use of common application form now available on either St. Olaf site or App site. Entire process can now be completed on line. New to the process are an Information request form and a Merit Scholarship form.
e. Recent brochures/publications were shared with the committee.
4. Response to Hardwick/Day audit - Related that three additional steps will be taken at the request of the Board:
a. Financial Aid review
b. “Price and Position” study
c. New Tool: how do we talk to families about how to finance a college education? Especially in light of applicants looking at less expensive institutions believing they can’t afford St. Olaf.
d. Presentation to Board in two weeks.
5. Campus Tours - Discussion on current practices and suggestions/current initiatives for improvement.
a. Put more resources into campus visits. Students should eat on campus given recent food service accolades. Visit needs to be an even more positive experience. Need to encourage more people to visit.
b. Faculty nominate students for tour guides.
c. Students were asked to submit a proposal regarding possible compensation for service as a tour guide.
d. Currently, guides are trained. How do we have a uniform, positive tour program? Emphasis on message/new philosophy: “show” more than tell.
e. Question: what else do students do besides visit classes? Could they be invited to conversation tables, for example? Currently the visit program does emphasize other events and looks at campus calendar for suggestions. Faculty could share additional events for prospective students. A “dream” is a prepared folder for each visit, customized for student and that particular day.
6. Director of Admissions Search - Update on process and dates.
a. Representative from ARFAC will be needed to replace Kelly. Representatives from search firm will be on campus Oct. 12 with a set of applicants for initial screening. Intent will be to form two initial lists, with 3 ultimately invited back. Want to insure ARFAC involvement. Other members can be integrated into various meetings with candidates. Porterfield will serve as representative Oct. 12.
b. Search firm involved as initial pool did not produce appropriate candidate.
c. Timing is critical as there is some anxiety about changes in Administration. Decision to be made by November 15.
d. Thus far, 12 names have surfaced in national search.
e. Search committee serving “advise and consent” role. Students have not been involved with the process thus far but will be later. Invitation was made to send questions/concerns to Kyle regarding search and process.
7. Misc.
a. Kyle will be able to attend next faculty meeting to provide updates and information.
b. Future meetings: may be able to wait until November for next meeting -- certainly prior to next Board meeting.
Next Meeting: November 9, 2005
Respectfully,
MK
