Tom Crady updated the Committee on the current status of applications. We are currently slightly ahead on the number of applications compared to the same time last year and the year previous. However, we have nearly doubled the number of Part II applications as in the past two years. We are slightly ahead in the number of early decision applications.

Tom indicated that our preliminary intelligence suggests that our financial aid budget may need to increase at a rate higher than it was projected to a year ago. This need, while a very high institutional priority, puts pressure on other aspects of the College's budget.

Tom then reviewed some recent directives from Immigration and Naturalization Services with respect to international student visas and reporting. We have been directed to report more information on international students than in the recent past, but some of the requests for more detailed information have been withdrawn. There may well be more difficulty in getting visas for international students, particularly males from Middle Eastern and some Asian and African nations. This is a concern, both with respect to current students returning home during breaks or the summer and for new students.

Jim Swartz briefed the Committee on a possible collaborative venture with Waseda University in Japan. The proposal, which has been developed with the Center for International Studies, would bring a Waseda faculty member and ten students here to study for a year. The faculty member would, with a Grinnell College faculty member, team teach a Tutorial-like course for the Waseda students. The Waseda students would enroll in some standard Grinnell College courses and have some independent English as a Second Language support. This project is still quite preliminary, but could strengthen the international flavor of the College and decrease by a few the number of weak domestic students admitted. Bill Patch pointed out that visiting faculty from Nanjing University found access to English language journals and books very restricted in China, and thus the semester in Grinnell was very attractive. Such would not be the case for Waseda faculty members. Jim Swartz responded that the reason that Waseda faculty would come was more for curricular development and to participate in teaching in a liberal arts environment. Charles Cunningham pointed out that this exchange might strengthen various offerings related to Japanese culture and language.

Return to Admission & Financial Aid Committee | Return to Academic Affairs