Enrollment Update - March 31
From: Kaopuiki, Ryon D <RDKaopuiki@manchester.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 5:46 PM
To: NMFaculty <NMFaculty@manchester.edu>; NMStaff <NMStaff@manchester.edu>
Subject: Enrollment Update
Hello All –
I wanted to send everyone an update regarding a significant enrollment change we have made in our efforts to bring in a strong undergraduate class this fall. The COVID-19 pandemic is obviously bringing a host of new challenges to our efforts, but we have been actively engaged in looking for new answers to these new problems.
This time of year our biggest focus is on yield and getting commitment from admitted students in the form of our $250 enrollment deposit. In response to the COVID-19 situation, many schools are pushing back their deposit due date, and over the past week this has become a regular response from many schools. As our own collection of deposits began to slow down over the past couple of weeks, our admission counselors continued to report strong interest in attending Manchester this fall from students and families, but concern around the uncertainty in the here and now. We wrestled with the question: How can they keep moving forward in the enrollment process, but maintain some flexibility in the present? Rather than fall in line with other universities and just push out the deadline, we’ve chosen to be bold. Effective last Thursday, the university made the decision to waive the $250 enrollment deposit for our new students enrolling for the Fall 2020 semester.
Instead of committing to attend through the deposit, we’ve implemented an Intent to Enroll form where students declare their commitment and we’ve identified multiple steps through the rest of the enrollment process that we will measure commitment and intent through engagement and behaviors.
The response has been very encouraging. Since Thursday afternoon when we changed the process, we’ve had approximately 150 students declare their commitment to Manchester! We have a lot of work in front of us to keep these students committed. This will involve staying very connected with each student as we continue to help them experience what makes MU special and build value in the minds and hearts of these students and families.
I want to extend my appreciation to those of you who continue to help with recruitment as we adjust to virtual visits and new approaches to our outreach with prospective and admitted students. In the face of adversity, it has been great to see our community rise to the challenge and continue to help others see and experience Manchester.
If there are any questions, please let me know. For now, I simply wanted to update you all on this key shift in our recruitment strategy and say thank you.
RK
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RYON KAOPUIKI
Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing
Manchester University
260-982-5045