Present:
Bob Szafran, Chair
DawnElla Rust
Doyle Alexander
Lauren Scharff
Roger Bilow
Marty Turnage
Piero Fenci
Absent:
Florence Elliot-Howard
Mike Legg
Pat Spence
I. Old Business
A. Bob Szafran distributed SFA's results from last fall'snational survey of entering college students. This survey isconducted by UCLA and has been tracking the characteristics ofbeginning college students for about 30 years. Last fall was thefirst time SFA participated in the survey. SFA is also participatingin a pilot national study of student learning activities andoutcomes. The study is being done through the University of Indianaand should have some informative results.
B. Lauren Scharff reported to the committee that she spoketo the Faculty Senate about the existence and operation of theAdmissions Committee. Among other things, she informed them of thecommittee's web page. Bob reported that the consultant's report isexpected to be online very soon. Lauren added that a link will beavailable from the SFA home page, and a list serve will be createdfor the faculty to inform them of the consultant's report. Bob willalso be speaking with the Chairs Forum from each department to informthem of the site.
C. The committee will arrange to speak to the StudentGovernment Association about the consultant's report and thecommittee review of admissions standards.
II. New Business
A. Bob Szafran asked the committee to think about andrequest additional information about admissions that they need inorder to make a sound recommendation but still do not have. In thenext meeting the committee will discuss the consultant's report. Keypoints in the discussion will consist of conclusions andrecommendations to the report.
B. Bob lead a discussion regarding admission criteria andspecifically the review process at other universities. Roger Bilowsupplied information regarding the percentage of students at schoolswhich include a review process who are granted admission through thereview process.
C. Bob recommended any resolutions passed by SFA groupsthat addressed admission standards and the retention of students begathered and brought before the committee. Examples might include SFA'03, SFA98, the retention committee reports, possible resolutionsfrom the faculty senate or the SGA.
D. Roger pointed out that the consultant's report includedsix case studies of schools that increased their admissionsrequirements. The review included sixuniversities, three in Texas andthree outside of Texas. The results in the state indicated that byraising the academic profile of admission criteria, some experienceda decline in students for a period of time and one had an increase intransfer students. The universities outside Texasexperienced the sameresults
E. The committee discussed the correlation between SAT/ACTtest scores and the student's academic success, and whether highschool extra curricular activities predict college academic success.Roger reported that standardized test scores alone are not a goodindicator of how the student will perform at SFA, however randomstudies related to involvement of students with a variety ofactivities in their schedule lend toward a more positive attitudeabout their university. The committee also discussed how effectivecollege intervention strategies were in assisting academicallystruggling students.
F. Roger reported that the Texas Common Application wouldbe used solely inFall 2000. The application will gather studentactivities, which could beused in a review process.
G. The committee discussed the possibility of areas withinthe university that could be reorganized to create a more supportiveenvironment for incomingfreshmen as well as transfer students.Possibilities could range from concentrating on remedial assistanceto implementing an advising program.
H. Roger stated that the SFA Office of Admissions' purposeis primarily recruiting. It gives less emphasis on retention. Rogernoted, and Bob agreed, that there is no one central office withprimary responsibility for student retention. Bob stated that SFA 101has had a positive outcome for entering freshmen, however, themagnitude of itseffect on retention and GPA have been moderate. Theeffect of our freshman seminar program seems to be consistent withthe magnitude of other freshmanseminars at other schools.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.