AFA MINUTES

November 7, 2005

 

Present:  Laura McClusky, Leslie Miller-Bernal, Cathy Patella, Jackie Schnurr, and Susan Sloan

 

Absent:  Angela Azevedo ’06, Alyssa Frederick ’06, Karen Green, and Ellen Hall

 

1.      Minutes approved from October 26, 2005.

 

2.      Chair McClusky expressed concerned regarding the absence of the student representatives to AFA meetings.  The group was informed that students must report to Collegiate about the activities of their committee.  Our minutes are also on the web site.

 

3.      Discussion occurred regarding what materials should be posted to the web site.   There was a retention report and fall enrollment report that was handed out at the last meeting. The retention report, if not understood, could be misleading since it deals with class cohorts and does not represent the actual number in the class.  It was agreed that we wpuld not post the retention report but the fall enrollment report could be posted to the web site.

 

4.      Cathy handed out the final Class of 2009 report. 

·        There were a total of 28 need based aided first generation students.  This number could be greater but she does not have stats on those students who do not apply for aid.

·        There were (6) Legacy scholarships, one male.  This is an increase from previous years.

·        A discussion occurred about work-study and how it is awarded and to whom.  Cathy explained that out of the $300,000+ funds awarded in work-study, only $100,000 is federal funds, the remaining being supplied by Wells College.  Due to our location and students inability to easily find off-campus employment, the college has been committed to employing students who want to work, even those who do not demonstrate financial need.  In addition, many positions involve working in the academic area, where only a few students could be eligible to serve in these positions.

·        It was suggested that the last chart detailing need levels be revised to include merit only and full pay students in the category of “Need Less than $11,000.”  Cathy agreed that this was more accurate and would revise the chart to include these numbers.  She would also include numbers as wells as percents.

 

5.      Cognitive is not yet on campus.  They are the company doing our branding project.  Susan Sloan informed the group that they should be arriving in the next two weeks. Susan said that she placed AFA on the list of people they should talk to while on campus.  Cathy commented that in the last two off-campus meetings she attended that “branding” was being done on other campus.  Susan Sloan said that colleges are trying to understand this generation of students.  Laura McClusky asked who else was on the list to be interviewed by Cognitive and could this group see it.  She was going to ask Ann Rollo, who is in charge of coordinating this project, answers to these questions.   A discussion occurred but was not resolved about what should be on the college’s web page and what should be on aurora.wells.

 

6.      Susan shared with the committee the report she gave to the Board regarding the Class of 2009.

 

·        The results of the select student application yielded 509 applications, 34 enrolled students and student search yielded 204 applications, 13 enrolled students.

·        45% of the incoming class were student athletics, an increase of 8% over last year.

·        Enrolled a total of 131 freshmen and 32 transfers.  62% were from New York State, 35% were from out-of-state, and 2% were international students. 

·        80% of the enrolled students qualified for need-based aid, 15% were full-pay and 5% only received merit scholarships.  All categories increased except for the merit only category.

·        Next year’s goals are 150 freshmen and 50 transfers.

·        It is too early to speculate about the Class of 2010, but as of Sept. 23rd the admissions office has seen a 100% increase in the inquiry pool and an increase in campus visits of 35%.

 

7.      Susan informed the group that 65 students left last year.  7 students have left so far.  This is mid-year and mid-term grades are out.  It was suggested that this group look at these numbers.  

 

 

Respectfully submitted by:

Cathleen Patella