ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMITTEE DATE: April 12, 1983 TO: Faculty Senate FROM: Student Recruitment and Retention Committee Membership of the Committee Ex officio: Elmer Meyer, Vice Chancellor for Student Life Charles Seeley, Director of Admissions Donald Bailey, Dean of the General College Tilton Willcox, Chair John Daniels James Kirkland Robert Muzzarelli, Vice Chair Melvin Stanforth Belinda Barker, student Committee Meetings (dates and members absent) August 23, 1982 None October 12 Stanforth January 11, 1983 Muzzarelli, Daniels, Kirkland February 8 Barker, Muzzarelli, Stanforth March 22 Barker, Muzzarelli, Meyer April 12 Barker, Daniels, Seeley Date of reports to the Faculty Senate during the year. None Specific instructions, if any, given to the committee by the Faculty Senate, other than those found in the committee's Constitutional None A brief statement of committee organization , subcommittees, research activities, etc. No specific subcommittees were formed. List of committee accomplishments including recommendations made to agencies other than the Faculty Senate. A. Action taken and areas considered: 1. The committee reviewed the University policy on allocating graduate assistantship funds. (See recommendation number 1 below.) 2. The committee discussed a number of "perceived barriers" that may be affecting enrollment and retention at East Carolina. (See recommendation number 2 below.) 3. The committee voted to endorse the concept of the organized Educational Tutorial (ET) program sponsored by the University Athletic Committee. 4. The committee studied the role of the University Chaplains in student recruitment and retention. B. Recommendations to the Faculty Senate. 1. Student Recruitment and Retention Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate, in cooperation with the University administration, develop and implement procedures to (1) allocate graduate assistantship funds for the academic year by the end of the preceding spring semester so that departments can compete more effectively for outstanding graduate students, many of whom now receive offers from other state institutions before departments at East Carolina can make a commitment; and (2) fund assistantships for the entire academic year, using the previous year's allocation as a basis for determining the level of support, to facilitate departmental planning, recruitment, and retention. The Student Recruitment and Retention Committee recommends that the Faculty Sente, in cooperation with the University administration, organize a task force to identify perceived barriers to recruiting and retaining students at East Carolina and to recommend action to the appropriate University administrative unit. Some examples of questions to be considered by the task force are: a. Is there a need for an organized University-wide program promotion effort? If so, what office should be responsible for coordinating the activity? Should students, both undergraduate and graduate, be permitted to register by mail? Could administrative offices remain open during evening hours and on a Saturday morning during the first week of school each semester to permit part-time student to register, pay fees, and buy books? Could all examinations that are used for admission purposes be administered during evening hours and/or on Saturday mornings? Are there special programs that are desired and needed by potential students that are not now available to them at ECU? Are there University policies, published and unpublished, that have a negative effect upon students considering applying for admission to ECU? THE RECOMMENDATIONS STATED ABOVE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY SENATE AT ITS FIRST REGULAR MEETING IN THE FALL OF 1983. Citation of the resolution numbers of Senate resolutions that originated with the committee. None Proposals and/or business to be carried over to next year. Recommendations in Item VII should be considered further during 1983- 84, Evaluation of the committee: A. Structure: excellent B. Dputies: clear C. Functions: excellent D. Personnel: excellent This committee wishes to commend the Faculty Senate Secretary, Helen Broaddus, for the excellent support she provided for the committee. Her cheerful attitude and efficiency made it a pleasure to deal with the Faculty Senate Office. Suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the committee: The committee could improve its effectiveness if the Student Government Association would appoint a student member who will attend the meetings and take an active part in the work of the committee.