ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Target Enrollment Projections:
Board of Regents anticipates annual enrollment growth at 6% for Savannah State University. Their projections for the Fall 1998 through the Fall 2002 are as follows:
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Target -2% 3,087 3,161 3,210 3,234 3,259
Target +2% 3,213 3,290 3,341 3,366 3,392
The Fall 1996 enrollment was 2,783 students. A 6% increase for Fall 1997 would lead to a projection of 2,950 students. If the same +/- 2% interval is applied, the enrollment projection for Fall 1997 is between 2,891 and 3,009 students.
Actual Enrollment will be compared to the target enrollment figures each Fall quarter/semester. Approproprite revisions will be made to recruiting practices and enrollment projections, as needed.
Enrollment Management
Planning Unit: University
Responsible for Implementation: President and administrators
Objective Relates to University Goals: 1-12
Planning Objective: The Admissions Office is presently preparing for the implementation of the Board of Regents Phase-In Admissions policies and the Banner Student Information System. The Project Director is being trained to recruit. Our recruiting plan for fiscal year 96/97 is on track, and our contact pool is up. Strategies have been developed and are being implemented to halt our enrollment decline and increase our enrollment Fall 1997. The new admissions standards will require us to increase our recruiting activities during the next five years. The proportion of students by gender will remain constant, but the number of minority students will be increased. Also, the Transfer Articulation Agreement with Florida Community Colleges will increase the number of transfer students.
Action Plan
FY 1998 - 2000:
Implement revised recruiting plan for FY 96/97 (January 1, 1997)
Involve Alumni Director with Alumni Recruiting Program (January 23, 1997)
Review and prepare new admissions phase in policies (February 14, 1997)
Sponsor Visitation Day Program for minority students (January 25, 1997)
Sponsor Visitation Day for Honor Students (February 1, 1997)
Provide recruiting workshop for alumni at the Southern Regional Meeting (March 14, 1997)
Sponsor Spring Open Campus (April 5, 1997)
Provide recruiting workshop for alumni at the SSU National Alumni Meeting(May 3, 1997)
Publish Alumni Recruiting Manuel (July 1997)
Move into Admissions Annex (August 1997)
Complete reorganization of the Admissions Office(August 1997)
Hire one temporary recruiter for Fall Quarter(September 1997)
Implement recruiting plan for FY 97/98 (September 1997)
Involve Student Ambassadors with recruiting
The President has established the administrative methodology for the development of an enrollment management plan. The enrollment management plan addresses five areas:
1. Enrollment Management - a single coordinated view and method of coordinated management of enrollment services will be developed. The enrollment management plan will include: admissions, registration, financial aid, orientation, housing, academic program analysis, retention, student records, student affairs, and fee payments.
2. Academic Services - The academic leadership of the University will develop an "Academic Growth Plan" to include plans for: academic program expansion, academic staffing, faculty recruitment, class scheduling, part-time faculty hiring, and space utilization.
3. Development and Public Relations - A fund raising and public relations plan, including alumni, will be developed to support the growth needs of the University.
4. Support Staff Growth Plan - The Vice President of Business and Finance, the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Executive Director of Development will assess current staffing plans and develop staff growth plans which will emphasize maximization of current staff resources.
5. Facilities Growth Plan - The University will develop a comprehensive campus facilities master plan which will determine the current capacity of University facilities and develop a comprehensive campus development plan to meet future growth needs. (see Institutional Support - Campus Plan)
Resources Needed: Enrollment management planning will be carried out with the existing administrative resources of the University: the President's Cabinet, the Committee on Recruitment and Admissions, the President's Planning Group and faculty governance structures. Resources Needed for implementation of specific enrollment growth strategies will be reflected in individual unit planning objectives.
Student Enrollment and Retention:
Planning Unit: Management Team and Office of Academic Affairs
Responsible for Objectives: Director of Admissions
Planning Objective: Establish an effective Student Enrollment and Retention Program
Student Enrollment and Retention are primarily based Student Satisfaction. To address student satisfaction we must evaluate and improve upon the areas below:
Retention rates/targets
Alternative scheduling/delivery
Optimize enrollment
Implement alternative deliver systems
Increase degree programs
Improve residential facilities
On-threatening learning environment
Outcomes assessments
Keep technology current
Recognize and reward
Recognize quality...creativity...
Expand internal relationships
Action Plans
FY 1998:
Examine use of tuition waivers. Increase overall financial aid to foster diverse clientele and keep students informed about all forms of aid available. What is the state aid policy for part-time students? Investigate we may be able to change, or utilize to attract students.
Reach more students in different ways--focussing on learning rather than teaching, realizing the role of faculty is changing rapidly. Flexibility/creativity in work assignments is critical as is investment in resources and faculty development to realize capabilities of new technologies for learning.
Initiate scheduling and delivery alternatives based upon market research of attending and on-attending students. Encourage and support faculty in use of alternative teaching methods.
Optimize enrollment in existing courses by developing a long-term schedule and flexible delivery system.
Increase the number of bachelors and masters degree programs offered in areas where there is projected to be significant and sustainable demand. Look into getting the Education degree program back at Savannah State. Improve upon the Business Program. Stop sending our students to Armstrong to take business courses and our faculty to teach.
Keep strong technology-based curriculum areas as current as possible in the availability of equipment, software, and information.
Develop telecommunications-based and information access infrastructures both internally and externally.