COMMITTEE: Admissions and Recruitment MEETING DATE: November 2, 1998 PERSON PRESIDING: John Cope ACTIONS OF MEETING Description of action: Minutes of October 5 approved as amended. Description of action: Introduction of SGA representative. Not present. Description of action: Cope reported that he had sent a report on non-traditional formats to George Bailey, Chair of Educational Policies and Planning Committee, as discussed in last month's meeting. He had sent copies to A&R Committee members earlier this month. Description of action: Gulati reported on the subcommittee meeting with James Van Fleet, Director of International Programs. The number of international students has increased since 1995, when Van Fleet came here; there is a balance between graduate and undergraduate students; and a large number of countries are represented. However, there is a large concentration of students from one country (22 from China), and it is not healthy to depend on one country. ECU has a low enrollment, both in numbers and in percentages, of international students when compared to other institutions in North Carolina as well as to other Comprehensive and Doctoral institutions in the U.S. There is no concerted effort and realization of the need to recruit more international students here. Sixty-seven of the 72 international students have tuition waivers; that is, they pay the equivalent amount of in-state tuition and have assistantships. These students are mostly in Biology, Chemistry and Physics; this situation prevents tuition waivers from going to out-of-state students. In response to a question from Cope, Gulati said that this university can help, but we need an attitude change toward recruiting international students: We need to be active in recruiting tuition-paying students and to realize the payback in spending money to recruit students who will pay tuition for the full time they are here. We should also publicize successful efforts. Cope asked if ECU has any coordination among its international programs. Gulati said that he thought that Van Fleet has good ideas for recruiting. Lowe said that since Van Fleet was hired, the university has made some attempts to consolidate its efforts, such as assigning the advisor to international students to International Programs. He thought that ECU needs to make up its mind to be an international university and to establish a concerted effort to deal with administrative matters, English abilities, and finances. Gulati said that we need to emphasize the monetary aspect of the payback of recruiting international students, as well as the advantages of better student performance and the intangible aspect of diversity and the enrichment of culture of our local students. Muller said that we lack a marketing plan. Lowe said that we should be careful what we target, but marketing is important. Muller said that grants are available for recruiting. Lowe said that there is no clear stance regarding international students in the university's strategic plan; it needs explicit attention. Cope said that recruiting the first international student would be expensive, but that the costs decrease with additional students. Faculty are aware of the advantages of having international students for the flavor and cultural diversity they bring, and what they add to the educational experience. Cope asked what this committee should do. General comments were in favor of sending a resolution to the Faculty Senate to ask for more commitment and a concerted effort from the administration. Gulati recommended establishing a special Senate committee to look at all aspects of international students--recruiting and admissions, sending our students abroad, and a diversity course. Muller said that this committee prepared a resolution last year to add a representative from International Programs to the committee. Cope said that after discussion the committee failed to reach agreement about the need for a resolution, given that many of the policies pertaining to the International Programs office were in a state of flux. It was noted that the vice-chancellor for academic affairs could appoint a representative from International Programs to serve as his representative on the committee. Follow-up action required: The subcommittee of Gulati, Lowe, and Cotter will prepare a draft resolution for next month's meeting. Description of action: Muller reported that those ECU students who go abroad on exchange programs have to apply for readmission, unless they are part of the international student exchange program and have signed a form to that effect. She asked if this could be changed to eliminate re-applying. Discussion followed; committee members thought that it could be resolved without bringing it for formal committee action. NEXT MEETING: December 7, 1998 ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED: Draft resolution on international students. Michael Cotter, Secretary