By Travis DeNeal 27

(Editor’s note:This is the final installment of a four-part series analyzing recruitment and retention policies of the eight SIUC colleges in light of the University’s overall increase in enrollment Previous stories can be found on-line at www.dailyegyptian.com)

Two colleges that have faced decreased enrollment this semester are focusing on increased recruitment efforts to boost enrollment in their colleges in the future, administrators say.

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College of Engineering enrollment dropped from 1,077 to 1,044 this semester, a decrease of 33. College of Liberal Arts enrollment fell from 2,976 to 2,925, a decrease of 51.

James Evers, College of Engineering associate dean, says his college will keep its current strategies for recruitment and retention next year, although recruiting initiatives will be increased.

We have stepped up our efforts, Evers said. With recruitment, we are still continuing to visit community colleges and talk to counselors, math and physics instructors and classes of students.

Evers’ college developed a brochure that works in conjunction with Illinois community colleges.

The brochure gives details about what our programs here are like and what types of courses students should take while at the community college, he said. The idea is to make the transition from the community college to the University smoother.

Evers said College of Engineering also participates in Illinois high school career days, and sends representatives within the college to guest presentations in high school math and science club meetings.

A mailing program also is used, which recruits students whose ACT scores reflect a knack for engineering.

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Anita Hutton, College of Liberal Arts’ coordinator of recruitment and retention, has worked since December to boost enrollment. One of the recruitment tools she is using is a college brochure she developed.

The brochure lists, in a nutshell, all of our majors and degree programs, Hutton said. It includes a tear-off business reply card, postage paid, that students can mail us if they are interested.

Hutton mails the brochures to all Illinois community colleges as well as Southern Illinois high schools. She also travels extensively to recruit potential students, and visits areas like Downer’s Grove, St. Louis and the downtown Chicago area.

In addition, she will travel to Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 27 to recruit students from California’s surge of community college students.

The senior institutions there can’t handle them all, she said.

Hutton will accompany Marie Malinauskas, international development research project specialist, who will concentrate on recruiting international students there.

Between 9 a.m. and 1 or 1:30 p.m., we will meet between 24,000 to 26,000 students, Hutton said.

Also, Hutton said that before new students arrive for school, COLA mails a letter to them containing a checklist of requirements they will need. The list contains information like getting final transcripts, being compliant with immunization laws and getting parking stickers.

Both colleges also are emphasizing keeping students.

Retention-based programs in the College of Engineering includes a tutoring center and a student mentor program that aids study groups as well as individual students, Evers said. The college also has three different residence hall floors for engineering majors.

Also, for about $50, new engineering students also can participate in a program before the new student orientation at the beginning of a semester.

It is an expanded orientation that gives students the chance to come in early and make contact with our different departments, Evers said. Students do some small experiments in our various labs new and old which shows them what kind of lab work they will be doing a few semesters down the road.

Evers said about 60 percent of new engineering students attend the event each year.

Though College of Liberal Arts enrollment has declined for the past five years, there is an increased focus on keeping students at the college.

Robert Jensen, COLA dean, said that although his college’s enrollment decreased this semester, his college has a vigorous approach to recruitment and retention.

We are not sitting on our hands, Jensen said. The College of Liberal Arts is being very proactive toward recruitment, and we are looking at our programs to make sure students want to stay.

Jensen said retention mechanisms within his college are being reviewed.

During the 1992-1993 school year, COLA’s enrollment concerns were opposite of what they are now.

That year, our academic units were very heavily crowded, Jensen said. For instance, our administration of justice program had more than 500 majors but only 12 faculty to instruct them.

Jensen said COLA conducted a planned reduction of enrolled students. Around the same time, several faculty members resigned or retired, he said, which further reduced the number of sections that COLA departments could offer.

Some of the circumstances were beyond our control, Jensen said.

Enrollment in COLA is more stable now, he said, but it is a perpetual concern.

Though both colleges are emphasizing recruitment highly, though, their administrators say future enrollment is still dependent on student interest.

Hutton said recruiting and retaining students can be difficult during good economic times.

When the economy is good, people don’t want to go to school, she said. The economy is good now, and people want to be out there earning money.