Enrollment Planning Team

Minutes

October 17, 2005

Present:  Mr. Randy Duckett, Mr. Andrew Hendrix, Dr. Ann Willbrand, Dr. Braden Hosch, Mr. Corey Feraldi, Dr. Ed Callen, Mrs. Gail Ratchford, Mr. Glenn Shumpert, Ms. Gwen Ashley, Mrs. Katya Terry, Mr. Marshall Davis, Mr. Randy Warrick, Ms. Stephanie Foote, Dr. Tom Mack, Dr. Val Lumas, Mrs. Vivian Grice, Ms. Jennifer Lake Guest:  Dr. Deb Kladivko, Dr. Suzanne Ozment

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 pm.  Randy welcomed everyone, and informed the group that Jennifer Lake and Tony Ateca were new members of the Enrollment Planning Team.  He recognized Dr. Suzanne Ozment and Dr. Deb Kladivko who were joining us today, and said they would also be joining the EPT when available and would also serve on EPT Action teams.

Programmatic Updates

• Dr. Deb Kladivko reported that the Orientation Planning Committee was taking a closer look at USCA orientation process.  They are looking at how to mesh with other areas on campus and have formed three sub-committees: academic content area, co-curricular content group and a models committee.
• Stephanie Foote, chair of the First Year Experience Committee stated that they now have 15 members of both faculty and staff.  They have formed two sub-committees: learning communities and first year issues.  They are now gathering data at this point.
• Randy Duckett reviewed  Early Warning process that was being streamlined to help the faculty and students.  The new process should make it much easier for faculty to alert the Academic Advisement Office when they recognize that a student needs some additional assistance..  A couple of issues were discussed.

Dr. Callen – felt the faculty needed a better definition of what early

                    warning is and the date deadline.

Dr. Willbrand suggested that the data be re-organized.

• The next item on the agenda was an explanation of the process of complete withdrawal from the University; the procedures students must follow, the follow up that takes place through the Office of Enrollment Services, and the reports generated for further review.  While this process will continue to take place in the Office of Enrollment Services, the results will be delivered to the Survey and Strategic Plan Action Team for further discussion and possible action.
• Randy Duckett informed the group that when new faculty or staff are hired, he makes an effort to inform them about the importance of their contribution to the learning environment at USCA. He is able to convey this message at the staff orientation meetings, and makes individual appointments with full time faculty to inform them about the Enrollment Services Division and the Enrollment Planning Team. We are being intentional and communicating with new employees as to how they can contribute to creating a “high quality learning environment” at USCA.
• Andrew Hendrix provided a review of the newly implemented (last Spring), Discipline Based Transcript Evaluation Process.  The early reviews indicate it has been a success and will continue to save time for faculty members, especially Department chairs/School Heads/Designated Evaluators.  Rather than evaluating individual student transcripts, faculty members are evaluating course descriptions from other institutions. 
• Vivian Grice gave an update on the Degree Audit program (DARS) and stated that all bulletins beginning with the 2001-2002 bulletin should be programmed, with the exception of the Music Education Degree. She also announced that in the near future the students will be able to use this tool on VIP.

Research Updates

Braden Hosch distributed the Retention Rates of 2004 First Year Cohort and shared information about what these charts provide.  The charts indicated that freshman to sophomore retention rates continue to decline. He did however indicate that students who lived on campus tended to be retained at a higher rate.

Action Team Reports

• Stephanie Foote stated that the At Risk Action Team has met twice to work on developing a model of Provisional Programs and should have a model together by October 27^th.  Details are being worked out and they should have something for the November 21^st EPT meeting.
• Jennifer Lake reported that the Communications Team was distributing information  about the EPT by: e-mailing and posting meetings on the web-site. Braden has been working to make the web-site more visual, information will be in the November Post Time Notes, Jennifer and Braden are working on an internal image campaign and Randy and Braden will be meeting with Academic Council and Student Government and in the spring with the Classified Employees Association and Faculty Assembly.
• Glenn Shumpert shared that the Financial Aid/Scholarship Team would be meeting on October 19^th to review state scholarships and continue to work on a portion of the scholarship/financial aid strategy proposal.

Perspectives

Randy Duckett informed us that this would be the time set aside at our meetings for an opportunity to share experiences, observations and thoughts.

Resources/Learning Opportunities

Randy shared that he had several resources in his office regarding recruitment and retention initiatives and welcomed any takers. He also informed EPT that he and Stephanie Foote attended a USC Retention Committee meeting and indicated that they have started a supplemental instruction program and feel that it is a benefit to their students.

Action Team Meetings

Randy asked that the Action Teams provide Gail with their next scheduled meeting, so she could inform the campus community.

Brief Action Team Chair meeting

Randy stated he and Braden would be making individual appointments with each of the Action Team Chairs in the next couple of weeks.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Ratchford