2009-10 Faculty Senate Committee Annual Report

Scholarship and Student Aid Committee

Members of the Committee

Faculty

Julie Bees  (Fine Arts)

Elizabeth Behrman  (LAS Math/Natural Sciences)

William Miles  (Business)

Douglas Parham  (Health Professions)

Craig Torbenson  (LAS Humanities)

Mary Walker  [Chair]  (University Libraries)

John Watkins  (Engineering)

Mark Vermillion  (Education)

Sam Yeager  (LAS Social Sciences)

Ex-Officio Members

Deb Byers  (Financial Aid)

Kim Sandlin / Bobby Gandu for Spring 2010  (Admissions)

Sheelu Surender  (Scholarships / Financial Aid)

Student Member

Vacant

Committee Activities / Business

1. Meeting Schedule:  3 meetings in the fall 2009 semester, 1 meeting during the spring 2010 semester

2. Distinguished Scholarship Invitational 2009
   1. Recruited Melissa Walker to write scenario
   2. Assisted with recruitment of DSI volunteers
   3. Reviewed DSI process and questions
   4. Received report from Admissions

                                      i.    374 student participants (all of whom had a 24 ACT & a 3.5 GPA)

                                    ii.    All participants receive some scholarship money

                                   iii.    120 observers (15 of those were WSU faculty)

                                   iv.    In comparison, the 2008 DSI had 278 student participants (all of whom had a 24 ACT & a 3.5 GPA) and 97 observers (17 were faculty).  Of the 278 participants, 201 of them (72%) ultimately enrolled at WSU in 2009.  Eighty-five percent of the top 10 participants came to WSU.

3. Scholarship
   1. Appeal – one appeal was filed but was later withdrawn by the student
   2. Report from Financial Aid

                                          i.    Scholarships are awarded based on criteria established by the funding source and by state and federal regulations. 

                                        ii.    Admissions uses an application for incoming students that is reviewed by a committee of WSU faculty and staff.  Over 1300 applications are received annually with about 95% being awarded some scholarship money.

                                       iii.    The DSI is another source of scholarship money for potential students.  Competitive packages are awarded to the top 50.

                                       iv.    Other programs include additional renewable scholarships which are awarded through targeted programs and guest scholarships which are awarded to high school students if funds are available.

                                         v.    Current student awards are renewed for up to four years if the student meets scholarship guidelines. 

                                       vi.    Academic college scholarships are awarded through each academic college and are coordinated with Financial Aid to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to maintain that scholarship packages to not exceed the cost of attendance at WSU.

                                      vii.    Athletic scholarships are awarded through the athletic department.  The awards are coordinated with Financial Aid to ensure compliance with NCAA regulations.

                                     viii.    Outside scholarships are awarded to students through external organizations.  Other scholarships are awarded through departmental funds, student fees allocations, and/or grants.

                                       ix.    The State of Kansas also provides scholarships through the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Student Financial Assistance programs.  Students apply directly to KBOR. 

4. Review of Committee Charges

The committee’s charges were reviewed during a meeting with Fritz Hemans in the spring semester as part of the Faculty Senate’s review process of Senate committees. 

5. Pending Issues
   1. Election of chair for 2010-2011
   2. Scenario for 2010 DSI
   3. Faculty Senate decision on status of committee

Recommendations for Senate to consider

None at this time.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Walker, Chair

April 2, 2010