Please find below the Alumnae Trustee
Report. We apologize for the delay due to the unexpected resignation of one of
the trustees. This report will be printed in the July Wilson Magazine.

ALUMNAE TRUSTEES REPORT – JUNE 2013

Last year at this time, it was reported that a commission was studying opportunities to sustain Wilson’s future. Late in 2012, the commission presented its findings to Dr. Mistick. She then made her recommendations to the Board of Trustees. On January 13, 2013, the Board approved the following:

To adopt the Wilson Value Equation [lower the book tuition rate of the College to $23,745 (-17%) and establish a student debt buyback program];

To extend coeducation to the undergraduate college;

To establish an integrated Marketing Committee and to launch an integrated market campaign;

To evaluate the creation of a Division of Health Sciences; and

To repair Wilson’s ailing infrastructure by committing funding for deferred facility maintenance and fund annual depreciation to implement needed repairs and improvements.

Under the leadership of President Mistick, committees have begun to implement the Wilson Today: Positioning Wilson to Thrive Plan.  Among these initial committees are Gender Equity/Women Centeredness, Pedagogy and Curriculum, Standing Academic Committees, Retention, Coeducation Recruitment, Affordability and Value, Student Center, Traditions and Marketing. In line with the changes occurring with the Wilson Today Plan, the Board approved revisions to the Bylaws and to the Charter of the College at the May 2013 meeting of the BOT.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The faculty continues to respond to the Board approved findings of the Commission and the Strategic Plan of the College. The program ideas are studied for feasibility and then developed into programs. The faculty is also evaluating majors for elimination or retention based on enrollment, ties to a strong curricular area or appeal to male students.

The Board approved a Graphic Design major which includes Graphic Arts and Graphic Media. The Graphic Arts emphasis on artistic content and creation will ensure successful student outcomes in a wide variety of occupations. Graphic Media is a holistic approach to Mass Communication including use of text in design.

Other programs in development, but not approved, are additional Applied Animal studies and an RN-to-BSN in nursing. A budget was approved to continue the feasibility study in the health sciences with the assistance of two consultants. The College will be reformulating the education curriculum for certification in Middle School now required by the PA Department of Education.

There was a drop in headcount for the 2012 fall semester, including declines in CFW and TIP. In addition to the lower enrollment, there were a significant number of leaves of absence or withdrawals in the first semester. The first year student fall-to-spring retention rate was 70.67% compared to 71.22% the previous year. Reasons given were financial, medical and transfers to other institutions.

At commencement 2013, five Masters degrees, 55 Bachelors degrees and four Associates degrees were conferred. In addition, nine Masters, 18 Bachelors and one Associates degrees will be conferred if requirements are completed by August 2013.

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

In March, Enrollment & Student Development sponsored a webinar “Customer Service the Disney Way: Attract More Students & Boost Retention”. Carolyn Perkins, and Maryann Naso have been joined by Cami Rawleigh and Brian Speer to construct a first draft of Wilson’s Customer Service Philosophy & Standards of Service. 

To date, the following registrations have been received for Fall 2013: 201–College for Women; 155–Adult Degree Program; 16–MEd; 2–MHumanities; 4–non-degree. There have been three deposits for international students (Canada, Armenia & Ghana) and an additional 14 have been offered admission. Seven guest students from Seoul Tom’s University are registered.

Wilson is a founding member of CACHE – Capitol Area Consortium of Higher Education – a group of colleges working with businesses, corporations and government offices to have college fairs for employees. Additional opportunities to partner with high schools and community colleges to offer Wilson courses for credit are being explored to include Shippensburg Area School District, Big Spring School District, Carlisle High School (accounting courses), Elizabethtown High School (animal sciences & environmental courses), Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (accounting, business, environmental studies, history & psychology). Discussions are also
underway for a student exchange proposal offering an Equestrian Semester. 

The BOT requested additional information on veteran recruitment and learned that 44 students are enrolled in various Veterans’ Administration & Department of Defense educational benefits programs. Wilson has renewed its participation in the Yellow Ribbon program; covers remaining tuition & fees not provided by Chapter 33 benefits for full-time participants; has renewed its membership for 2013-15 in the Servicemembers Opportunity College and ConAp (Concurrent Admissions Program).

In Spring 2012, the Faculty By-laws were amended to reflect the dissolution of the Student Affairs Committee at the end of Spring 2013. A recommendation was made to faculty in January 2013, and subsequently approved, that the Honor Council/Joint Honor Council functions of SAC be continued through the newly created faculty Honor Council Committee. The BOT approved this change in February 2013. 

The Retention Committee, comprised of five faculty, two staff and two students, has met weekly since March. The Committee’s goal is a more cohesive process in all areas of the College, focusing on “the student can succeed” and what support services are available for this goal. New students will be added to the Committee in Fall 2013.

The following men’s sports will be available in 2014: golf, basketball and cross country; soccer and volleyball will be added in 2015.

COLLEGE ADVANCEMENT

The College was one of six recipients of an NCAA Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant for 2013-16. With $70,105 over three years, the College will create a full-time Athletics Communication/Sports Information Director position within the Athletic Department.

The Board of Trustees voted to accept the Lenfest Library Match gift of $3.6 million for February 1, 2013, through March 1, 2015. The money will be received in $1.2 million increments. The Board also approved a revised Gift Acceptance Policy (which includes procedures).

Point-in-time comparisons of FY13 to FY12 show that total giving to the College is down, but the donor rate is up. As of May 31, the Wilson Fund is at $765,403; with 1659 donors.

The Office of Marketing and Communications has conducted eight focus groups. These groups consist of students, faculty alumnae/i and staff.  The results of these focus groups, as well as brand survey results, will serve as the basis of the marketing message platform. A graphic designer, Kendra Tidd, has joined the office. A web site manager will be added in the future.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

The electrical grid of the College was upgraded this past year. Painting and new sidewalks will be completed this summer, as well continuing to address life safety and building code concerns. The Committee will continue to look at broader infrastructure needs. The administration provided a five-year plan outlining cumulative spending needs of the College. This will allow prioritization of needs and determination of funding needs. This plant will be reviewed at least annually.

The Board approved renovations to the Mac/Dav building. Renovations will include upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems and air conditioning will be installed. The Board approved the funds to create a Student Center to be located in the Fitness Center. The Fitness Center will be moving to the old gym. Some needs identified for the Student Center are food options, flexible space with a variety of seating options, gaming area and room for dances.

FINANCE

Trustees reviewed forecasts for income and expense for fiscal year 2013 and anticipate a deficit of $564,000. A summer working budget was approved for 2013-14. 

The performance of the endowment continues to improve under the able management of Solaris Advisors.  The market value of the endowment as of April 30, 2013, was $65,986,132. Of this figure, 52% is represented in the quasi-endowment and 48% is permanently restricted for various purposes, including scholarships, faculty/staff development, physical plant, library, etc. The value of the perpetual trust as of the same date was $10,872,758.

Respectfully submitted,

         Nancy Kostas ‘64
         Lisbeth Luka ‘69