One year ago

I have been doing some thinking about what I was doing, one year ago. After looking over my blog posts, I remember that time well. We were playing the waiting game with Continuum and trying to gear up for our new database. A year later we still have glitches from time to time, but for the most part we are more productive and becoming more proficient by the day.

Now, my Vice President has asked me to create a presentation displaying the highs and lows of the process, and where we are versus where we were. I’m looking forward to the chance to use Prezi for the first time. I’m not a really creative type, so the opportunity to create a really professional looking presentation is very appealing. Once it’s up, I’m sure I’ll post it for my loyal readers to see!

Now it’s time to read my application files (WOW they really started rolling in) and get started on that looming to do list.

NACAC Presentation: NCAA Division III Admissions and Financial Aid

I came in a little late and when I arrived they are presenting on what might flag a school to be reviewed with regard to their awarding of scholarships due to their Financial Reporting. Here are some notes.

31% of institutitions have been reviewed at the most basic level

25%- reviewed again to see if there are violations

10%- found in violation due to leadership scholarships, secondary violations (isolation, not meant to provide competitive advantage).

First violation in 6 years has been released with regard to awarding practices.

Admissions can consider athletic participation for admissions. But if there is a formula used, you must remove the athletic component before configuring for scholarships.

When you have athletic personnel, they are not permitted to have direct impact on a Financial Aid Awarding process. So if you have an awarding formula, the coach can not be involved.

Coaches are not allowed to sit in on any public or private committees that review for Financial Aid Awarding.

Typical violations include distinguishable pattern of awarding, communication with personnel regarding institutional gift aid.

Secondary violations penalties are education, corrective action, and administered by the enforcement committee.

The NCAA has issued a 4yr report overall and to individual institutions about their possible reviews and performance.

Interesting session and feels good to know we are doing things right.

NACAC Blogger Session

In Our Own Words: How to manage a student blogger program

Presented by Associate Director at Johns Hopkins.

Student admissions advisory board at Johns Hopkins is not just blogging. It’s really a social media program (blogging, YouTube, etc).

First, had to establish what the goals were, what jh wanted. Started with the freshman advisory board made up of 10 freshman who would meet with an admissions counselor. Started by discussing blogs and why/how should be done. The motivations were to more transparency, wanted to dispel rumors.

Launched Hopkins Interactive 1.0. Simple site, message board capability, blogs, etc. When starting to examine the first site, realized didn’t have enough of a reach. Launched version 2 with more bloggings, virtual tour, online chats, online videos, links to Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Today, 20 student profiles, dean of academic advising blogging, previous student blogs, fb, etc.

Program had been successful because of the students of the advisory board.

When starting the program:
-Start with freshman.
-Have an interview committee
-They are looking for creative, committed, diverse students with good interpersonal skills

Associate Director acts as an organizer/liasion between other campus constituencies. Sets the expectations, and keeps them involved in what’s going on.

When determining whether or not to pay them, think about if you need them motivate them. If you pay them, they may not be as transparent.

Group dynamics:
When managing this type of group, meet as a full group on a weekly basis, hold social events, provide leadership for students, make sure they feel equal, work on projects in smaller teams, and consider office hours for students.

Be creative when choosing what types of blogs to have: admissions, current students, guest blog, alumni, parents, faculty, deans, mascot, academics.

Could use shared blogs for freshman, letting them blog whenever and see how they perform to determine who gets a full time spot.

Has a student from each major write a blog post about their experiences so prospective students can see what the majors are like and what students studying that do.

Content: different blog entry types: introspective, retrospective, advice, day in the life.

Try to add pictures, video posts, videos of what is going on.

I am encouraged by the session because I feel like we are on the right track. We are still early in the process but we have the fundamentals down pat. I think it would be interesting to have some guest posts.

Interestingly enough, they don’t friend students ia social media because they have such a low acceptance rate (25%). They will though after they have been admitted/enroll in jh.