When I was appointed to serve as Interim President of the University of Maine at Machias (UMM), I identified enrollment management and technology as two of my major initiatives.  I plan to use this issue of the EBB & FLOW to communicate to the UMM community on the progress of these initiatives…. Following are some of the key new and additional management strategies being developed and implemented:
1.    Continued implementation of the Fall 1998 Enrollment Management Consultants
       recommendations identified as mission critical.
2.   Development of new program brochures and the redesign of existing brochures (e.g.
      Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary fine Arts, College Studies,
      recreation Management, etc.).
3.  Development and implementation of a telecounseling program.  UMM student
      telecounselors have called all prospective students for Fall 2000 and have just begun
      calling high school juniors for fall 2001.
4.   Substantial investment by University of Maine System chancellors Office in
      Noel-Levitz professional telecounseling program for Fall 2000.
5.   Addition of new college fair programs in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey for
      high school juniors
6.   Produced mailings to targeted groups of students in the Environmental Studies,
      Interdisciplinary Fine Arts, Marine Biology, and Recreation Management programs.
      These mailings included a letter from a faculty member with bullets highlighting
      important facets of the particular degree program, a new or revised brochure featuring
      the degree program, and an application form.
7.   Expansion of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) Search to include an
      additional 3,500 names for students throughout New England and specific regions of
      New York and New Jersey.  These student names are targeted also by their test results
      and specific programs offered by UMM.
8.   Telephone calls by professional Admissions staff  to all applied and accepted students
      to answer question about recently mailed financial aid award letters.
9.   Development and implementation of a series of welcome receptions for accepted
      students and their families in several central locations in Maine.  These functions
      should enable UMM to increase yield activity.
10. Implementation of an Early Warning System to identify students experiencing
      academic difficulties.  This program enables faculty and staff to provide early
      intervention to assist students with academic concerns.
11. Development and implementation of a revised freshmen advising program for “at risk”
      students for Fall 2000.
12. Implementation of an extended and redesigned new student orientation program for
      Fall2000
13. A proposal has been submitted to restructure and establish the Maine Experience
      program.
14. Continued development of programs including integrating e-commerce into Business,
      establishing a concentration in sports management, and the development of a minor in
      Woman’s Studies.

 April 25, 2000
To: President Jim Breece

Charge to the Committee

On March 2, 2000, the Enrollment Management Committee was charged with filing two reports with the Office of the President.  The first, due in early April, was to recommend short-term activities that could enhance enrollment for fall of 2000.   The second, due in May, was to recommend long-term activities.  This is the first of those two reports.   The committee continues to seek wide community involvement as it considers long-range priorities.

Background for Proposed Activities

The committee feels that the following proposed activities can be undertaken immediately.  All should significantly contribute to the on-going well-being of the campus.  In fact, many of the proposed activities are already underway and simply require vigilance to maintain.  We have marked those activities below.

Generally, the committee has implicitly believed that any steps that enrich the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and community will enhance the institution.  Any steps that create and spread a strong and positive image of the university and that connect early and effectively with potential students serve the goal of building enrollment at the University of Maine at Machias.  We firmly believe that our commitment to excellence and to a personal approach needs to inform every activity that we undertake.

Proposed Activities

Goal:  Foster a Caring Atmosphere

Review CLL policies and promote accurate information to the community (UNDER WAY)

Encourage faculty and staff to attend student events and to eat at the dining commons

Early Warning System (UNDER WAY)

1st-year Advising Program (UNDER WAY FOR FALL 2000)

General Advisor Training  for May 2000

Orientation  (UNDER WAY FOR FALL 2000)

Re-establish the "Maine Experience" (Proposal has been made)

Establish an "employee day" with awards and recognition for accomplishments,

    contributions, etc.

Institute a ten-minute break between all classes

Synchronize campus clocks (UNDER WAY)

Train front-line personnel serving students (UNDER WAY)

Establish welcoming receptions for accepted students at community homes

Open student activities to all students who have been accepted to UMM for the

    following year

Hire faculty/staff to do summer advising

Develop Information Check List for New Students (UNDER WAY)

 

Goal: Improve Communication in the UMM Community

• Establish a campus ISIS Users' group to improve communication among offices serving

    students (UNDER WAY)
• Improve communication between physical plant and residential staff for cleaning (UNDER

    WAY)
• Work on "getting the word out" to the community regarding school closings and campus

    activities
• Assure that students and others have important contact information for faculty, administration

    and staff
• 800-line to accommodate Continuing Students.
• Distribute Ebb N Flow in the mail
• Connect Housing Secretary to ISIS (Dorward Hall)

 

Goal: Empower Students and Enhance Services to Students

Establish a commuters' lounge

Re-establish the off-campus student organization

Locate computer Kiosk(s) in Powers Hall with access to PC DSIS

Enhance Technical Support for Financial Aid Services

Implement Financial Aid/Business Office functions on IVR (UNDER WAY)

Get Degree Audits activated on WebDSIS (UNDER WAY)

 

Goal: Strengthen Community Relations

Promote Kilburn Commons as a facility for weddings, proms, family reunions, high school

    reunions, and banquets

Phluxstock II: Repeat last year's festival of local and high school rock and roll bands

Invite the community to an Open House to showcase UMM's facilities, programs, and

    services (UNDER WAY)

Collaborate with the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival activities (UNDER WAY)

Develop a fitness/walking program free to the community

Increase community use of the Merrill Library

Hold a picnic on campus for area senior citizens

 

Goal: Increase Visibility

Further develop the WEB (UNDER WAY)

Enhance the UMM web site to feature campus activities (on- and off-campus groups)

Continue to support the televising of more campus activities

 

Goal: Develop New Markets

• Make the Calais Center a part of UMM and promote programs there (UNDER WAY)
• Offer courses at Ellsworth (UNDER WAY)
• Promote entry level courses suitable for high school juniors and seniors
• Promote the tuition waiver for qualified senior citizens
• Market special courses to non-matriculated students and community members through press

    releases, etc.
• Publicize WebDSIS transfer information for those considering transfer to UMM
• Expand placement of viewbooks

Foster a Caring Atmosphere

Improve Communication in the UMM Community

Empower Students and Enhance Services to Students

Strengthen Community Relations

Increase Visibility

Develop New Markets