LOUISVILLE, Ky. – What does it take to recruit and keep top notch students at the University of Louisville?
That was the primary topic discussed during a UofL Board of Trustees’ Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting held today in the newly constructed Student Recreation Center.
In a conversation about the changing face of student recruitment and scholarly experiences, Provost Shirley Willihnganz said, “This year’s incoming freshman class was terrific and we wanted to talk about what it took to get to this point.”
Jenny Sawyer, executive director of admissions for the university, told committee members that 86 percent of the 2013 freshman incoming class were college ready in both math and reading. “We are leading the way in college readiness,” she said.
Sawyer shared statistics showing that applications to UofL have jumped 71 percent in the last decade and the graduation rate has improved from about 35 percent to 54 percent over the same period. She said the recruiting landscape has also changed as more universities compete for students.
Student Government Association president Carrie Mattingly also spoke to committee members about SGA goals for 2013. Top goals are securing additional student space in the Swain Student Activities Center, launching an evening taxi or shuttle service, renovating Strickler Hall 101, expanding operating hours at Ekstrom Library and creating a program to increase student involvement in Kentucky legislative issues.
The full UofL board did not meet today, but is scheduled to meet Nov. 21.