In This Issue Current Issue Archives

February 2006

Recruitment & Retention - February, 2006 - Full Issue
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Intercampus Shuttle Makes City’s College Life Richer
Baltimore Collegetown Network, a consortium of 15 Baltimore-area institutions, has had success recruiting and retaining students through a cooperative effort at making college life in the city richer and more engaging. Especially successful is a shuttle service that ferries students among campuses to cultural and entertainment spots and to volunteer and internship opportunities.

LUCERO Helps Latino Students Make Connections
At Lansing Community College in Michigan, administrators are addressing the needs of a growing Hispanic population through the school’s LUCERO (Latinos Unidos Con Energía Respeto Y Orgullo) program. The program has an impressive track record. The retention rate for all of Lansing’s students is about 50 percent. The freshman-to-sophomore retention rate for those involved in the LUCERO program, however, is 80 percent.

Don’t Assume ‘Unknown’ Students Are Multiracial
Students who don’t check a racial or ethnic category on admissions applications are not necessarily multiracial, according to a new study. Assuming so is a mistake that can distort the accuracy of an institution’s data about student population diversity.

Public Needs More Information on Affordable Degrees
A recent National Center for Education Statistics report notes that the net cost of attending a pubic two-year college increased at a slower rate than the inflation rate—or even decreased—between 1999 and 2002. And in October 2005, the College Board announced that tuition increases at public institutions have been significantly smaller in 2005–06 than they were in the last two years and that increases at private four-year colleges are similar to last year’s. Yet the perception exists among too many families that college is unaffordable.

Newswire
Minority medical and dental school enrollment; GMAT adds security measure; Federal law prompts accounting enrollment increase; Tuition discounting study; more

Recruiting Middle Eastern Students Takes Commitment, Perseverance
Recruiting students in the Middle East does not typically offer a quick return on investment. But the time and attention it takes are often worthwhile.

College Board Will Consider SAT Split
The College Board will consider allowing students to take the three sections of the newly expanded SAT in more than one sitting. The announcement comes after a group of about 250 college admissions officials and high school counselors sent a letter in December to College Board President Gaston Caperton requesting significant changes in SAT testing procedures.

Recruiting Graduate Students Out of High School
More than 470 students have applied to Vanderbilt University under a new program that offers incoming freshmen the chance to gain advanced admission to any of its professional and graduate schools.

Resources
Postsecondary Education Opportunity blog; National Office of Community College Initiatives; New retention conference

Podcasting Makes its Mark on Collegiate Communications
Podcasting is already becoming a staple of collegiate communications, being used to attract new students, help current students decide on majors, and stay in touch with parents.