Board of Visitors

Student Life Committee Meeting February 3, 2023

The Student Life Committee met on February 3, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the Jefferson Room of the David Student Union with Acting Committee Chair Steven Kast presiding.

In attendance

Board Members

• The Honorable Richard S. Bray
• Steven Kast
• Sean Miller
• C. Larry Pope.

Administration, Faculty, and Students

• Dr. Lisa Duncan Raines, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
• Dr. Kevin Hughes, Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
• Rob Lange, Dean of Admission
• Celine Rosario, Student Government Association President

Visitors

• Dr. Robert Colvin, Interim Chief of Staff
• Andrew Crawford, Chief Information Officer
• Julianna Wait, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services

Not in attendance

Regina Brayboy

• LTC (R) Boris G. Robinson
• Lee Vreeland, Ed.D.

Call to Order:

In the absence of Chair Vreeland, Steven Kast served as acting chair and called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Due to a lack of quorum at the previous meeting, minutes from both the September 16, 2022, and the November 18, 2022 meetings were reviewed. Mr. Pope motioned to accept both sets of minutes as submitted, and Judge Bray seconded the motion.

Freshman Admission:

Dean Rob Lange began his presentation reporting that numbers are looking good from a freshman enrollment perspective based on early indicators, which include attendance at campus tours, interviews and recruitment events, as well as enrollment deposits received to date. This year’s goal of 1,150 incoming freshmen is unchanged from last year, with an incoming freshman class last year reaching 1,161. Dean Lange reported that the number of applications submitted to date are slightly lower than last year at this time, and noted that there were a record number of deferrals from the Fall of 2021. Last year, Christopher Newport received 7,500 applications for admission, one of the three highest years in the last decade. Dean Lange discussed the various types of admission: early decision, which involves a commitment to enroll if admitted by December 15, and requiring a deposit by January 31; early action, where students apply by December and are notified in January, but have until May 1 to decide. This is the applicant type that historically yields the most students; and regular decision, where students must apply by February 1 to receive an admission decision by the final March 15 notification date. The most important early indicator is enrollment deposit rate, which requires a $500 deposit. He reported that we are ahead of last year as of this date. Currently the Office of Admissions is focused on reviewing regular decision and previously deferred early decision and early action applications. Any applications for admission that were previously deferred based on the need for additional information, are once again carefully reviewed for admission.

Dean Lange reported this season as being a very busy time for the Office of Admissions with events, as they begin recruiting high school sophomores and juniors, while emphasizing yield efforts with admitted seniors. Reservations for the most recent President’s Leadership and Honors Visitation Day on January 28, 2023 had to be closed due to high numbers of registrants. On February 4, 2023, another large group is anticipated for this same event, and the new President will be in attendance. These events specifically target students identified as candidates for the President’s Leadership Program (PLP) and Honors program; they come to campus, interview with Office of Admission Fellows and current PLP student ambassadors if they have not already done so, and gather for addresses from Chancellor Trible, faculty and staff, and current PLP and Honors students. The visit culminates with a faculty reception, and oftentimes visits with their specific departments of interest to tour labs, classrooms, etc. Open House is scheduled for February 11, 2023, and an additional 10 Admission events both on- and off- campus are scheduled over the remainder of the spring semester. The Admissions staff is also busy visiting high schools, representing Christopher Newport at college fairs, and participating in various panel presentations.

Overall, Dean Lange said he is hopeful with regard to meeting the 1,150 goal for the incoming freshman class. He touched on the significance of GPAs in admission applications, citing inflated GPAs and the impact of COVID allowances, indicating this indicator doesn’t always mean what it once did. Weighted grades due to AP, IB or dual enrollment classes allow for very different GPAs mathematically, and every school system handles this differently. Dean Lange reported last year’s average GPA of the incoming freshman class was 3.8, with 25% under 3.4. He confirmed that some enrolling students had very little curriculum rigor expectations in high school due to the pandemic present challenges, but he was pleased with the strong application pool and the overall profile. Our holistic review model takes into account many variables. He confirmed that Christopher Newport University is test optional, but that test scores are reviewed and considered, if submitted. This information is required if the student is applying to the Honors program, and are important for students to be competitive within the higher scholarship level applicant pool.

In terms of competition, Dean Lange reported that Christopher Newport does not typically lose students to public regionals such as Mary Washington or Longwood, except when net cost comparisons are not favorable because of more financial aid and scholarship offers not linked to program participation (like PLP here). We lose the most admitted freshmen to James Madison and Virginia Tech. He discussed that enrollment trends in Virginia parallel national reports – flagship and elite private institutions have been more accommodating than ever (waiving fees, offering test optional, higher admit rates) and are receiving a record number of applications. Smaller public regionals and less selective private colleges and universities are experiencing the opposite – fewer applications, decreasing yield rates, increasing admit rates, and decreasing enrollment.

Dean Lange discussed challenges with college counseling in public high schools compared to many private schools, and confirmed students tend to apply to and be offered admission at multiple colleges, making it difficult to predict where they will ultimately attend. We have to wait until May 2 to predict the class size at fall census with any accuracy.

Enrollment and Student Success:

Dr. Lisa Duncan Raines highlighted the increased activity in the Center for Student Success. Last semester, the team held more than 2,200 individual success coaching appointments with 600 students to teach skills important throughout the semester. Topics included time management, study skills, and textbook reading. Our peer educators conducted more than 2,000 tutoring appointments last fall. For the spring semester, tutoring is available for 81 courses, and if a student requests tutoring for a course not currently offered, the Center will arrange to provide tutoring for that course(s).

Dr. Duncan Raines provided an update on Captains Care, a referral system in place where faculty and staff can refer students to the Center for Student Success for areas of concern. Last semester, the team responded to approximately 700 referrals, including financial issues, class attendance (most common), struggling with a particular concept, and counseling needs. Mental health referrals are routed immediately to the counseling center.

Three-week grades will be available next week, and will provide an early indicator of the success and academic progress of our undergraduate students. Early indicators are important so that there is time to make a difference before final grades; three-week grades have been helpful in providing insightful information.

The team in Enrollment and Student Success works closely with staff in Student Affairs regarding accommodations for learning. The Student Success Testing Center provides assistance to students with learning accommodations such as additional time for testing, note taking, etcetera. Last semester, 500 students benefitted from those services which reflect an increase of 30% from the previous fall semester.

The Center for Career Planning has seen a difference in overall operations post-pandemic. Last semester, roughly 3,300 students participated in Handshake, Christopher Newport’s career platform, which is 400% higher than the previous fall semester. Last semester, more than 44,000 new jobs and internships were posted, which is 50% more than last fall semester. On average, 2,000 jobs are posted each week.

A number of other workshops and career-related activities are planned for the remainder of the semester. The annual Spring Careers, Jobs, and Internships Fair is scheduled for February 14. Dr. Duncan Raines reported that, on average, 93% to 96% of Christopher Newport graduates are employed, in graduate school, or in some type of volunteer capacity within six months of graduation. All services remain open to current students and alumni.

Dr. Duncan Raines advised that efforts are in progress to recruit Cohort 5 of the Community Captains Program. Cohorts 1 and 2 are first- and second-year students enrolled at Christopher Newport, Cohort 3 includes high school seniors, and Cohort 4 is comprised of high school juniors. What initially began as a two-year pre-admission program has now morphed into a six-year program as we continue to work with these students throughout their years on campus as they make progress toward their bachelor’s degree. Of the lessons learned, we now know these students continue to benefit from our specialized services once enrolled. All programming is cohort-specific, meeting the needs of each individual group, and involves individual meetings and various check-ins. We also ask these enrolled students to assist with recruitment and programming for future cohorts. Of the 25 Community Captains currently enrolled in Cohorts 1 and 2, nine had GPAs greater than 3.0, five earned Deans List honors at least once, two are Bonner Service Scholars, one is a Wason Scholar, one is a Canon Scholar, twelve are first-generation, nine are in the President’s Leadership Program (PLP), and two are participating in undergraduate research.

Last semester we had ten formal programs on campus, and as of yesterday, 60% of Cohort 3 has applied for admission for fall semester. Spring semester provides an opportunity for the high school seniors to take an Elementary Statistics course on campus at no charge. Newport News Public Schools provides transportation. To provide maximum support, a learning hour has been added to their schedules so that campus staff can provide additional support i.e. study skills, tutoring, student life conversations, etcetera.

Dr. Duncan Raines reported 40 workshops and events are planned for this semester, including an Open House, a Welcome event for Cohort 5, a community service opportunity, a reflections dinner for Cohorts 1 and 2, and an end-of-year senior celebration for Cohort 3 prior to their graduation. A longtime supporter of this program, the Honorable Gabe Morgan will be featured as the keynote speaker. For the second time, we have partnered with our academic colleagues in the sciences to offer a Summer Community Captains STEM Research Program, offering high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to perform research in the summer with a faculty member. A $2,000 stipend accompanies this unique research opportunity.

Signing Day is scheduled for February 7 when second-year students will officially declare their major and sign with the respective academic department.

Student Affairs

Dr. Kevin Hughes began his address discussing the President’s Leadership Program (PLP), an admission-driven initiative involving a co-curricular element, as the University invests a great deal in this program. Last semester included a number of presentations involving the Leadership Educators’Institute. This semester, Christopher Newport University will host a Global Scholars Conference with participants visiting our campus from Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Africa. We have also established a partnership with Sister Cities of Newport News and are working on immersive service experiences which started prior to the pandemic. The partnership with Sister Cities will allow us to use their existing infrastructure in programming with the first event in Ireland this March.Additional opportunities will also be available in Germany and Africa

Dr. Hughes discussed trends in Greek Life, both locally and nationally. Christopher Newport University has a good Greek system in place with very involved students across campus.Numbers are lower, both nationally and locally; and this is largely due to financial reasons or students being under-prepared for the required academic standards. Total membership in our fraternities has dropped by 110 members over the past three years.

The concern about counseling trends he previously discussed continue. Dr. Hughes reported that counseling services, since the beginning of this semester, have increased by 14% as compared to the same time last year. The impact is felt by all. Clinical interactions have increased by 25% per student as the result of lengthier treatment. Today’s students are not well-prepared for life challenges and have issues navigating when they get to college. This is the number one topic he discusses with colleagues during weekly meetings.Dr. Hughes shared that 500 students were processed and granted accommodations this fall with 400 having been the previous highest number for any entire year. Students in need of accommodations are considered disabled under the law, and we have to make the accommodations as to not discriminate. Mental health disabilities have doubled since 2017–18. These challenges are very real. Dr. Hughes will be making a presentation to the full board in an upcoming meeting.

Student Government Association (SGA):

Celine Rosario greeted the Committee and provided an update on the “Meet the Counselors” event recently held, saying that it went well and was covered by the Captain’s Log. She shared that many of the other campuses at SCHEV meetings complain that they do not have enough counselors. She likes to say the “grass is greener on our side” in terms of counseling, our numbers are better than larger institutions. She congratulated Christopher Newport for a job well done. The Student Government Association is running a food accessibility survey to see if students are having difficulties accessing food or are fully aware of the offerings on campus. They are also hosting Staff Appreciation Day on March 14 to show they are grateful for the faculty and staff on campus. All are welcome. Celine discussed the upcoming conference sponsored by the Office of Orientation and Student Involvement to discuss bringing about social change which will involve working in groups. She recently attended the Presidential Diversity, Equity and Inclusion meeting and was pleased with the programming discussed.

Celine said that the anchored organizations are doing well, and that the Campus Activity Board (CAB) has served 1,600 students. Morale is high though Greek life numbers are declining.

Adjournment:

With no further discussion, Acting Committee Chair Kast adjourned the meeting at 9:34 a.m.