The admission and financial aid committee met at noon on Monday October 23rd in Science 1022. The following individuals were in attendance: J. Swartz, J. Sumner, T. Crady, A. Woods, B. Grey, B. Patch, R. Vetter, T. Pham, M. Durand, and M. Chon.

Jim Sumner started by handing out the table of statistical information on last year's admission cycle that had been included in the committee's report. He briefly went over a number of key features in the table. Jim outlined a number of changes in recruiting for this year including a somewhat expanded travel schedule, particularly in Texas. He also noted that we were in the second year of a full-time recruiting position in Chicago and a new full-time recruiter in Iowa. There was some discussion of the implications of the changed policy on the promise of contribution score. This change was implemented last year based upon the committee discussion in 1998-99. We believe that it had a positive impact on the quality of enrolling students.

Last year we delivered a new view book, sent out our admission materials earlier, purchased a list of search names from ACT, put our application forms on the WWW, used new methodology for merit based aid, wrote letters earlier to strong students encouraging them to consider enrolling at Grinnell, and involved faculty in phoning highly qualified admitted students. Together all of these things resulted in this naturally improved entering class.

Tom Crady reviewed the changes in financial aid policy that also aided us in more effective recruiting. He discussed a number of challenges that lie ahead if we are to net student revenues. This will be an item for further committee discussion.

Agenda items ahead of the committee include:

1. Future of the admission report

2. Faculty involvement in the admission process

3. Financial aid policy

4. Student retention

5. Specific recruitment (athletic, arts, etc.)

6. The open curriculum as a factor in recruitment and converting applicants to enroll students.

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