Student Life Committee Meeting November 16, 2023
Present from the Board
- LTC (R) Boris G. Robinson
- Brently K. Archer
- Terri M. McKnight, CPA
- Kelli Purdy Meadows, CPA, CCIFP
- Lee Vreeland, Ed.D.
Christy T. Morton’s remote participation was permitted due to personal work-related travel to attend the Senate Finance Committee Retreat in Northern Virginia pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3708.3.
Absent from the Board
- Sean Miller
Present from Administration, Faculty, and Students
- Dr. Lisa Duncan Raines, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
- Dr. Kevin Hughes, Vice President for Student Affairs
- Dr. Rob Lange, Dean of Admission
- Dr. Benjamin, Lynerd, Faculty Senate Representative
- Kate Bennett, Student Government Association President
Visitors
- Dan Woloszynowski, University Police Chief
Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
Committee Chair Robinson called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m. Lee Vreeland made a motion to approve the September 15, 2023 Student Life Committee minutes as submitted, and Terri McKnight seconded the motion. The minutes were passed unanimously.
Student Affairs
Dr. Hughes greeted the Committee highlighting recent important events on campus: Homecoming, Alpha Phi Alpha’s Annual Stroll to the Poll and Glow in the Darcapella. The President’s Leadership Program (PLP) recently hosted another TEDxCNU event, working toward the goal of hosting an actual Ted Talk. PLP students won the International Leadership Association Case Study Competition for the fourth time, making CNU the winningest program at ILA in its history. CNU CEE Fund business students participated in a futures program, competing with 400 other groups from 250 universities; they finished first in the nation and second in the world.
Dr. Hughes discussed the increase of clinical services and academic integrity cases on campus. He reported that our Executive Director of Health & Counseling Services, Dr. Bill Ritchey, had the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, John Littel, in October to discuss the teaching clinic model practiced on campus. Christopher Newport is the only university in the Commonwealth using this model and would like to build the program. Dr. Hughes asked committee members to support this teaching clinic model moving forward. He discussed the impact felt on campus with regard to international tragedies and the importance of supporting our students.
University Police Department
Chief Dan Woloszynowski introduced himself and discussed the mission of the CNU Police Department as focusing on serving others, internally and externally, and adding value based on a heart-focused approach. The department is comprised of 25 sworn certified law enforcement officers, 8 communication officers (dispatchers), 8 full-time and 5 part-time security officers, an administrative assistant/police records specialist and a public safety technology specialist. He elaborated on the types of calls received and to which they respond. Reported services provided include crime prevention strategies, threat assessment, investigations, critical incident response, arrests and other issues related to mental health, medical and fire. Current initiatives include the expansion of the existing bike patrol to increase community engagement, continued crisis intervention certifications to de-escalate situations, and routine tactical training from law enforcement partners. The department is also a Certified Crime Prevention Community and has recertified every three years without issue.
The Chief touched on recruitment and retention of staff and indicated that it is a challenge in law enforcement overall. He confirmed the department is cognizant of budget limitations, and pursues grants when possible to assist with departmental equipment purchases.
Student Government Association (SGA)
Kate Bennett greeted the committee reporting that student organizations are in full swing with many of their campus traditions. The Panhellenic Council recently held their annual leadership summit, and the Student Government Association hosted an engaging listening session with President Kelly. In addition, an Accessibility Open Forum took place with Christine Ledford and Jeffrey Carnes from the University. Kate indicated students are ready for the upcoming break and excited for things to come.
Enrollment and Student Success
Dr. Lisa Duncan Raines highlighted the strong engagement between students and the Center for Career Planning and the various jobs, internships and graduate schools’ fairs hosted to date. Student appointments have increased by 11% as compared to last year, confirming that CNU students remain very interested in career preparation. The numerous jobs and internship postings have resulted in a 40% increase in applications from students and alumni. These factors all support the high rate of post-graduate outcomes over the last decade. With an importance on internships in the forefront, the University is working with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as one of their campus partners to continue work and data gathering related to internship and work-based learning.
Student involvement with the Center for Student Success remains strong, with increased tutoring appointments and group review sessions. Captain’s Care referrals, referrals made from faculty and staff for at-risk students, are down and 3-week grades for the spring semester reflected an improvement. Dr. Duncan Raines indicated that additional information would be available after the close of the semester.
Dr. Duncan Raines reflected on collaborations with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to provide more opportunities for transfer to CNU to complete the baccalaureate degree. Specifically, CNU is partnering with Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) in The Bridge to CNU at VPCC. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be finalized by early spring and will involve on-campus events to support this partnership. Future planning involves relationship building with additional schools within the VCCS.
On-site admission is already available at many of the community college locations to promote a “transfer friendly” transition. Dr. Duncan Raines thanked the Committee for any assistance that could be provided in terms of communicating the University’s desire to boost transfers as well as advocacy at the state level for scholarships and grants for these students.
Dr. Duncan Raines provided an update on the impact of the additional $513,000 received from the state, with most of the assistance going to the neediest students. She reported the Financial Aid application process has been delayed, with schools possibly not getting those results until February or March.
First-time-in-College (Freshman) Admission
Dr. Rob Lange began by confirming the first milestone in the admission cycle, the early decision application deadline, was November 15. The early action and regular action application deadlines are December 1 and February 1, respectively. Early decision applications have slightly declined, which is reflective of the national trend at less selective colleges; however early action applications have increased. Yield continues to be the biggest challenge in the admission cycle with net cost, academic offerings, and reputation cited most often by admitted students who choose to enroll elsewhere. Admission continues to engage with prospective students on campus through daily tours, interviews and recruitment events, and representing the university at high schools and other off-campus recruitment venues.
Dr. Lange highlighted a new initiative, direct admission through the Common App, which is aimed specifically at removing application barriers for low income and first-generation students. In addition, Christopher Newport University will be instituting direct admission for out-of-state prospective students after January 1, 2024 through a third party vendor, to increase geographic diversity in the freshman class.
Adjournment
With no further discussion, Dr. Vreeland made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Ms. McKnight seconded the motion. Chair Robinson adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m.