8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Virtual Meeting via Teams
Attendees
Voting Members
- Martin Abraham
- Lorraine Acker
- Mike Andriatch
- Alexis (Lexi) Bradley
- Monica Brasted
- Austin Busch
- Frances Dearing
- Michael Doyle
- Kristin Hartway
- Tom Hernandez
- Sara Kelly
- Stephanie Learn
- Yin Liu
- Theresa Martinez
- Carl O’Connor
- James Onley
- Kathy Peterson
- Heather Raczkowski
- Elliot Weininger: Co-Chair Elect
Non-Voting Members
- Julie Caswell
- Steve Cook
- Eileen Daniel
- Mike Harrison
- Skye Paine
- Darson Rhodes: Co-Chair
- Melissa Wight
Guests
- Don Bigelow
- Laurie Boyd
- Nathan Bull
- Keith Davis
- Kandie Gay
- Jennifer Green
- Scott Haines
- Debbie Jacob
- Rachael Killion
- Joseph Long
- Jose Maliekal
- Frank Mancini
- Tammy Jo Manz
- Tim McNamara
- Brandon Nunnery
- Janet Roy
- Darlene Schmitt
- Bonnie Swoger
- Sarah Unger
- Susan Wielgosz
- Aaron Wilkinson
- Robert Wyant
Regrets
Voting Members
- Grace Wright
Non-Voting Members
- Jackie Clark: Co-Chair
- Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall
- President Macpherson
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.
Approval of the Minutes
Dr. Rhodes asked the committee to review the minutes from the September 7, 2023, meeting. Dr. Peterson motioned to approve the minutes; Dr. Weininger seconded the motion. 15 members voted to approve the minutes. Therefore, the minutes were approved.
Announcements & Introductions
Dr. Rhodes made the following introduction:
- A new student member was welcomed to the committee. The student is:
- Alexis (Lexi) Bradley – Graduate Student Representative
Undergraduate Admissions Update
(Presentation is available in Teams)
Mr. Wyant provided an update on Undergraduate Admissions. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- Appreciation was extended to the Undergraduate Admissions team for their hard work and for sharing good news. As well as hearing about the collective efforts of the community to help with enrollment.
- The question was raised regarding what the University’s acceptance rate is and how it compares to other SUNY institutions. It was stated that it is high and so are all of the SUNY comprehensives. The quality of the applicants has not changed in the last handful of years. A 90 high school GPA is not what it was five years ago. We have a very rigorous review process. Anyone applying with below an 85 GPA, we look at the whole picture of an applicant. We look at their academic rigor. It was added that we have a 70% acceptance rate. In addition, we have maintained our scholarships for an 88 GPA and up.
- The question was raised regarding if the scholarships are a one-time scholarship or is it over the course of a student’s studies at Brockport. It was stated that some scholarships are a one-year scholarship, but a majority of the scholarships are four-year scholarships. There are requirements for the scholarships like maintaining full-time status, living on campus and they have to have a 3.25 GPA. Our Eagle scholarships and residential scholarships are first year only.
- The question was raised regarding if the university centers have stabilized their undergraduate enrollment or are growing their enrollment as a competitor. It was stated that it is believed that the university centers will still be aggressive in their enrollment because institutions will be fighting for fewer students in New York State.
- The question was raised regarding targets for out of state students. It was stated that it is an area the University is investing in, and we have the lowest out of state tuition of all of SUNY. Out of state recruitment does take time. Wyant will be visiting high schools in western Pennsylvania. We are looking into New Jersey. It is a balancing act because we don’t want to lose focus on downstate.
- The question was raised regarding the deposit terminology and if it refers to students who have deposited or is it a deposit category. It was stated that the term is used for students who have paid a deposit or requested a waiver.
- The question was raised regarding what the trends are behind the increased enrollment. It was stated that college affordability has become a major concern for students and the investment into scholarships seems to have helped with the enrollment at Brockport and at other schools.
- The question was raised regarding the difference of the residential scholarships from $2.8 million to $4.2 million and is this something the University is going to be able to maintain over time. It was stated that a few years ago it was decided the University would invest in scholarships and it is paying off with our enrollment. We are monitoring the program and we have some budget retreats coming up to analyze the impact.
- The question was raised regarding the initiatives that were implemented to mitigate the melt rate and if one or two of them could be discussed. It was stated that early advisement/registration seemed to engage the incoming student. Students were sent emails to fill out their course preference surveys, and this was utilized for course placement. In addition, the first-year orientation was highly attended, and parents were very engaged. We continue to engage parents. It is all about making the enrollment process easier, helping them understand what the cost of attendance is, getting them registered and getting them involved in the institution before they start classes. It was added that as an institution we have moved away from just recruitment to recruitment and onboarding.
- The question was raised regarding what the strategies are for making the gains in New York City. It was stated that we are revamping our program. We have a very strong recruiter down there that spent the last year in our office. The challenge we see with recruiters is we hire them, and they do not have any office experience with us. Every school the recruiter has gone into has asked her to come back. It is all about relationship building that helps us be successful. We are looking at our EOP program and opportunities to grow enrollment. We have meet with EOP and have some good strategies to move forward. Lastly, it is getting students access to our institution. SUNY recently announced an initiative for prospective student bus trips. Historically, it has been accepted student bus trips.
- The question was raised if CUNY sends their admissions directors around the state to recruit outside of the city. It was stated that CUNY has not been seen in Western or Upstate New York, but they have been in the Hudson Valley and Westchester County. They do really well recruiting in New York City and the Burroughs especially with affordability concerns. We are looking at two-year CUNY transfers and we want to branch out to the community colleges in CUNY this year. This is another one of our strategies for New York City.
- The question was raised if CUNY has recovered from their enrollment declines since COVID. It was stated that it is believed they have increased their enrollment numbers, but the official numbers haven’t been released yet.
- The question was raised regarding some of the SUNY Potsdam programs being cut and if there are opportunities to market our programs in that area. It was stated that nothing is official yet, so we cannot do anything yet. We just try to be supportive to the schools that have gone through this in the past and see if there is anything we can do to assist their students.
- The question was raised regarding professional programs and if we have any strategies for growth in this area. It was stated that Academic Affairs reaches out to Undergraduate Admissions to see if there are any programs that students are asking for that we do not offer. That has led to the development of programs like the Engineering Technology bachelor’s degree. If the program is in the realm of possibilities and meets our mission, we work on developing the proposal in order to offer the requested program whether it is at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- The question was raised regarding the FASFA opening date change and will these cause a lag with deposit numbers. It was stated that it is possible, but this will be a higher-ed wide.
- The request was made to have a presentation on the scholarship program and our return on investment in terms of tuition dollars and student retention. It was agreed that a presentation would be done after the analysis and budget review was complete.
Graduate Admissions Update
(Presentation is available in Teams)
Mr. Harrison provided an update on Graduate Admissions. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The question was raised regarding if there is any data to show that if graduate programs had not shifted their mode of delivery would the growth of the program not occurred. It was stated that there were some programs that were in person and their enrollments started to decrease. They decided to change their mode of delivery to online and saw significant increases. Nothing changed with the program other than the mode of delivery. This incoming fall class, 38% came from Monroe County. The county with the second most incoming students was Suffolk County on Long Island. Historically, we would not be attracting students from Long Island to come to Brockport for graduate studies. With the online programs, we are able to attract students from this area. Not every program can shift to the online mode of delivery. Institutions across New York and the country that have been slow to shift to the online mode of delivery have seen decreases in enrollment and are struggling. The marketplace has shifted at the graduate level to be significantly online. Being able to move in this direction has helped us with maintaining and increasing our graduate enrollments.
- The Center for Graduate Studies team was commended on their efforts to go beyond Mr. Wall’s enrollment projections.
- The question was raised if the projected enrollments will level out or continue to grow at the current rate or slower rate. It was stated that we are optimistic about the upward trajectory of the graduate enrollment growth. We have several graduate programs on the horizon and some of them will attract a large number of students. One of them is the Masters in Health Administration and it will be fully online. Another one, is the Doctorate in Educational Leadership and will be fully online. The only other programs are offered by private schools and the tuition differential will be in our favor. Other programs are a Masters in Chemistry and a Masters in Computing Science. These will be in-person programs. We are looking forward to attracting international students in these programs.
Global Education and Engagement Update
(Presentation is available in Teams)
Mr. Davis provided an update on International Student recruitment and services. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- Appreciation was extended to the Global Education and Engagement team for all of their efforts.
- The question was raised regarding if the visa and other challenges causes retention issues for international students. It was stated that some students decide during the visa process to not continue with international studies and others are awarded a visa and may decide to go to another school.
- It was stated that Career Services has developed an understanding the international students can only work at certain places due to their visa. Career Services is reviewing their practices on how to make the process more simplified and equitable to international students.
- The question was raised if SUNY has a group to provide administrative support for international students. It was stated that there is a collective out of Global Affairs it is called International Student Services Collective. They meet very often to discuss student services and immigration. It is unknown if there is an advocate at the system level at this time.
- It was suggested that within the communication to departments regarding reserving jobs for international students, it should be stated it is to help them with their visa application to have a confirmed job.
Additional Items from the Committee
The following items were discussed:
- Another new student member was welcomed to the committee. The student is:
- Gavin Miller – Undergraduate Student Representative
- Members were encouraged to wear their Brockport apparel tomorrow for Green and Gold Friday.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
JC/DR/mw