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Attract and retain a more diverse student body with stronger academic profiles by developing a campus climate that fosters academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, integrity, civility, and social responsibility along with admissions and student affairs policies that reflect these priorities.
Initiative 1: Raise the Academic Profile of Freshmen and Keep Them at the College.
Activities
| ID |
Activity |
Implementation |
Metric |
Status |
| 1.10 |
Freshman Seminar |
DC |
Establishment of seminar. |
In the spring of 2001, the faculty adopted in principle a new general education program that included a freshman seminar. A pilot version of the seminar was developed in '01-2002 and taught in '02-2003. |
| 1.11 |
Retention Data Analysis |
DC, RC, R |
Completion of study. |
Completed; further analysis needed. |
| 1.12 |
Improve the Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rate |
RC |
82% |
See comments. |
| 1.13 |
Create Group to Define Quality and Evaluate Predictors of Quality |
P |
Create group: completion of study |
Group created: Study completed '99-2000. Academic validity study completed '01-2002. |
| 1.14 |
Study Advising System |
DC |
Completion of study |
To be initiated. |
| 1.15 |
Increase Size of Applicant Pool |
DA |
Increase by 10% to 2055 by 2004 |
Increased the applicant pool by 5% in '99-2000; Initial goal completed. '98-1999, 1869; '99-2000, 1984; '00-2001, 2083; '01-2002, 1863; '02-2003, 1824 |
| 1.16 |
Increase Merit Financial Aid |
DA |
|
Increased the financial aid budget by 1 discount point ($84,000) '01-2002 and '02-2003. |
| 1.17 |
Telemarketing |
DA |
Increase applicant pool by 10% to 2055 by 2004. |
Funded for '00-2001. |
| 1.18 |
Fund On-Line Services |
DA, WC |
Contract with on-line provider. |
Funded for '00-2001 out of admissions budget. Discontinued in '01-2002. |
| 1.19 |
Increase Recruitment Travel |
DA |
No metric established |
Not funded for '00-2001 or '01-2002. |
Comments
1.12: The Board authorized $48,000 to be used at the President's discretion to improve retention. To date, $34,500 of this amount has been allocated for specific retention improving purposes. The $48,000 has been allocated to other budgets for '00-2001 to support retention efforts.
1.15: In '98-99, personal correspondence and search mailings increased. That year also witnessed a growth in both the inquiry and applicant pools. In '99-2000, the Admissions Office plans to improve its web site, contract with an on-line service, further increase mailings, review recruitment in secondary and tertiary areas, engage in marketing activities to improve name recognition, and, if financially feasible, contract with Noel-Levitz Company for their predictive modeling services.
Contract with College Edge on-line service and assess results at end of '99-2000.
With the exception of the $2,000 provided by the Board to increase the recruitment of transfer students, the budget did not provide funds to support added recruitment travel. Therefore, the Admissions Office does not project an increase in travel during '99-2000.
Initiative 2: Increase the Diversity of the Community.
Activities
| ID |
Activity |
Implementation |
Metric |
Status |
| 1.20 |
Increase African-Americans |
DA |
7% of entering class is African-American. |
In progress; hired a director of multicultural recruiting; added recruiting efforts for African Americans. The percentage of the entering class that is African-American is: '98-1999, 7.0; '99-2000, 4.0; '00-2001, 4.0; '01-2002, 7.4; '02-2003, 6.2. |
| 1.21 |
Increase Hispanics and Other Minorities |
DA |
3.5% of entering class is Hispanic. |
In progress; additional recruiting efforts. The percentage of total enrollment that is Hispanic and other minorities is: '98-1999, 3.1; '99-2000, 2.8; '00-2001, 2.9; '01-2002, 3.5. |
| 1.22 |
Double Transfers by Fall 2002 |
DA |
40 transfers/year by fall 2002. |
In progress; additional recruiting efforts. Transfer students recruited: '98-1999, 18; '99-2000, 24; '00-2001, 31; '01-2002, 24; '02-2003, 30. |
| 1.23 |
Evening Classes for Nontrad Students |
DC |
|
A decision was made in 1999 to discontinue this initiative. |
| 1.24 |
Cost Analysis of Foreign Students |
DA, DC, OIE |
In progress; complete study. |
Consultant from the University of Richmond helped to develop a recruiting plan for R-MC. Improved recruiting efforts; cost/benefit: two students net $7000. |
| 1.25 |
Increase the number of international students |
DA |
7 non-exchange students |
See 2.18 below |
| 1.26 |
Establish Women's Resource Center |
DS |
Hire part-time director. |
Completed; additional money provided '01-2002 to increase programming. |
Initiative 3: Foster an Environment that Promotes Academic Excellence and Curiosity.
Activities
| ID |
Activity |
Implementation |
Metric |
Status |
| 1.30 |
Create Study Spaces in Dorms |
DS |
Creation of study spaces |
Not funded for '00-2001; authorized but not funded for '01-2002; funded for '02-2003. Not implemented because of summer budget freeze. |
| 1.31 |
Enhance HAC |
DS |
Multiple metrics. |
Budget for '00-2001 was increased for student mentors and tutors. Part-time secretary was funded in '01-2002. |
| 1.32 |
Develop Special Interest Housing |
DS, T |
Increase from 3 to 5 |
Four completed. |
Initiative 4: Foster an Environment that is Defined by Civility and Social Responsibility.
Activities
| ID |
Activity |
Implementation |
Metric |
Status |
| 1.40 |
Freshmen/Sophomore Programs |
DS |
See below. |
In progress. |
| |
-- Freshmen/Sophomore Center |
DS |
Creation of space. |
Completed |
| |
-- Outings Club |
DS, DSL |
Creation of club. |
Completed |
| |
-- Energize Existing Clubs |
DS, DSL |
No metric established. |
To be initiated '00-2001. |
| 1.41 |
Improve Freshman/Sophomore Academic & Athletic Activities |
DS |
No metric established. |
To be initiated '99-2000. |
| 1.42 |
Create Task Force on Alcohol Issue |
DS, CLC |
Creation of task force. |
Completed. Report completed. |
| 1.43 |
Study Adult Presence in Fraternities |
DS, CLC |
Complete study. |
In progress. Ad hoc Board Committee on Greek Life created. |
Initiative 5: Provide Faculty With Time and Resources to Accomplish Goals of Plan.
Activities
| ID |
Activity |
Implementation |
Metric |
Status |
| 1.50 |
Faculty Work on Planning is Service to the College |
DC, COF |
DC & COF to consider. |
Completed |
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ABBREVIATIONS
AO - Alumni Office
CAB - Cabinet
CC - Career Counseling
CLC - College Life Committee
CoF - Committee on the Faculty
DA - Dean of Admissions
DC - Provost
DS - Dean of Students
DSL - Director of Student Life
DV - Vice President for Development
FDC - Faculty Development Committee
I - Internship Director
ITS - Information and Technology Services
OIE - Office of International Education
OUR - Office of Undergraduate Research
P - President
PBC - Planning and Budget Committee
PP - Director of Physical Plant
PR - Public Relations/Marketing
R - Registrar
RC - Retention Coordinator
SPC - Strategic Planning Committee
T - Treasurer
WC - Chair of the Web Committee