Understanding Understanding Ethical Standards Ethical Standards

in College in College AdmissionsAdmissions

Tony Tony BankstonBankston

Dean of AdmissionsDean of AdmissionsIllinois Wesleyan Illinois Wesleyan

UniversityUniversity

Opening a DialogueOpening a Dialogue

Why do we do things the way we do?Why do we do things the way we do? What considerations do we make when What considerations do we make when

establishing different policies and establishing different policies and practices?practices?

Is it most important for a practice to Is it most important for a practice to benefit the institution or the student? benefit the institution or the student? Who do we think of first? Is there a Who do we think of first? Is there a middle ground?middle ground?

Have we truly established the ethics that Have we truly established the ethics that help guide the decisions we make?help guide the decisions we make?

Competition and SurvivalCompetition and Survival

Someone in your office bears the direct Someone in your office bears the direct responsibility and pressure of “bringing in the responsibility and pressure of “bringing in the class.”class.”

Nearly 4,000 institutions of higher learning Nearly 4,000 institutions of higher learning are competing for a finite number of college are competing for a finite number of college bound students, and that number is shrinking.bound students, and that number is shrinking.

Many colleges are facing tremendous Many colleges are facing tremendous financial challenges and are heavily financial challenges and are heavily dependent on tuition revenue, which is dependent on tuition revenue, which is directly tied to the job you do.directly tied to the job you do.

Nuts and Bolts of Ethics Nuts and Bolts of Ethics In College AdmissionIn College Admission

NACAC Statement of Principles of Good NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP)Practice (SPGP)

NACAC Students Rights and NACAC Students Rights and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

IACAC Statement of Practices and IACAC Statement of Practices and CourtesiesCourtesies

NACAC Admissions Practices CommitteeNACAC Admissions Practices Committee IACAC’s Admissions Practices CommitteeIACAC’s Admissions Practices Committee

Statement of Principles of Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP)Good Practice (SPGP)

SPGP serves as the college admission SPGP serves as the college admission counseling profession’s ethical code of counseling profession’s ethical code of conduct to which all members are conduct to which all members are expected to subscribe.expected to subscribe.

Mandatory PracticesMandatory Practices Interpretations of Mandatory PracticesInterpretations of Mandatory Practices Best PracticesBest Practices Core Values: Professionalism, Core Values: Professionalism,

Collaboration, Trust, Education, Fairness Collaboration, Trust, Education, Fairness and Equity, and Social Responsibilityand Equity, and Social Responsibility

IACAC Admission Practices IACAC Admission Practices CommitteeCommittee

Admissions Counselors, Deans of Admissions Counselors, Deans of Admission, High School Counselors (8 Admission, High School Counselors (8 members strong).members strong).

Represent public/private schools, 2-year/4-Represent public/private schools, 2-year/4-yearyear

Committed to the well-being of the students Committed to the well-being of the students we serve, the colleagues we support and we serve, the colleagues we support and the admissions profession as a whole.the admissions profession as a whole.

Rely on the diversity of perspectives and Rely on the diversity of perspectives and opinions to strengthen the work of our opinions to strengthen the work of our committeecommittee

Admissions Practices Admissions Practices Committee (Cont.)Committee (Cont.)

Resource for you and any admissions Resource for you and any admissions professional, parent, student in Illinois.professional, parent, student in Illinois.

The work that we do is educational and The work that we do is educational and not judicial.not judicial.

ConfidentialConfidential CollaborativeCollaborative

Violations of the SPGPViolations of the SPGP

A majority are compliantA majority are compliant When violations do occur, they are When violations do occur, they are

rarely deliberate or intentional.rarely deliberate or intentional. Most often unbeknownst to the Most often unbeknownst to the

member, institution, family, etc.member, institution, family, etc. Educational opportunities Educational opportunities Formal process for reporting Formal process for reporting

violationsviolations

Reporting ProcessReporting Process Admissions Practices Inquiry FormAdmissions Practices Inquiry Form Inquiry versus AllegationInquiry versus Allegation Contact the AP Chairs in your State and Regional Contact the AP Chairs in your State and Regional

Association. Association. Inquiry is brought to and discussed by the AP Inquiry is brought to and discussed by the AP

Committee to determine complianceCommittee to determine compliance If an allegation is determined, AP committee If an allegation is determined, AP committee

follows formal procedures for notificationfollows formal procedures for notification Inquiry is kept strictly confidential. The person Inquiry is kept strictly confidential. The person

filing the inquiry is kept in the communication filing the inquiry is kept in the communication loop with the AP Committee, but at no point is that loop with the AP Committee, but at no point is that person’s name revealed to whom the allegation is person’s name revealed to whom the allegation is made. made.

The Application GameThe Application Game Maybe more is better, but at what cost?Maybe more is better, but at what cost?

Your job is to generate interest and applications, Your job is to generate interest and applications, but how are you getting them, and is it good but how are you getting them, and is it good for the students?for the students?

Recruiting to DenyRecruiting to Deny – Are you really helping a – Are you really helping a student or your institution by encouraging an student or your institution by encouraging an unqualified student to apply for admission?unqualified student to apply for admission?

The Application GameThe Application Game

What exactly is an application?What exactly is an application? Completing applications over the phoneCompleting applications over the phone

Two-part applicationsTwo-part applications

Counting transcripts and/or official test scores as Counting transcripts and/or official test scores as applicationsapplications

Counting on-line application accounts as Counting on-line application accounts as applications, even if nothing is ever submittedapplications, even if nothing is ever submitted

All applications should be actionable. If a student All applications should be actionable. If a student would be surprised to get an admission decision would be surprised to get an admission decision from you, they are most likely not a legitimate from you, they are most likely not a legitimate applicant.applicant.

The Application GameThe Application Game How early is too early?How early is too early?

To:To: Prospective Student Prospective StudentFrom:From: Earlybird University Earlybird UniversityDate:Date: March 18, 2007 March 18, 2007Subject:Subject: Application for the Class of 2012 Application for the Class of 2012

Did you know that you can apply to Earlybird University using the Did you know that you can apply to Earlybird University using the Internet?Internet?

The application for undergraduate admission for the class entering in the The application for undergraduate admission for the class entering in the fall of 2008 is now available on our Web site at fall of 2008 is now available on our Web site at http://admissions.eu.edu

From the Office of Undergraduate Admissions home page, click on the From the Office of Undergraduate Admissions home page, click on the link for “Applications and Guides,” then select “Applications” from the link for “Applications and Guides,” then select “Applications” from the menu.menu.

Earlybird University accepts the Common Application and requires a brief Earlybird University accepts the Common Application and requires a brief Pre-Application Data Sheet/Supplement. You may complete and submit Pre-Application Data Sheet/Supplement. You may complete and submit the Pre-Application Data Sheet online and beginning later this spring you the Pre-Application Data Sheet online and beginning later this spring you may download the Common Application forms. If you prefer, you may may download the Common Application forms. If you prefer, you may submit the Universal College Application in place of the Common submit the Universal College Application in place of the Common Application.Application.

We are looking forward to receiving your application so we can learn We are looking forward to receiving your application so we can learn more about you.more about you.

SPGP on Applying SPGP on Applying TimelineTimeline

SPGP II B 13: SPGP II B 13: “Post Secondary members “Post Secondary members agree that they will not notify first-year agree that they will not notify first-year candidates for fall admission prior to the candidates for fall admission prior to the receipt of a transcript that reflects receipt of a transcript that reflects completion of the final semester of the completion of the final semester of the junior year of high school or the equivalent. junior year of high school or the equivalent. Institutions that require only an Institutions that require only an application prior to extending an offer of application prior to extending an offer of admission, including many community admission, including many community colleges, may accept students at the time of colleges, may accept students at the time of application.”application.”

The Deposit GameThe Deposit Game

What is the purpose of a pressured or What is the purpose of a pressured or refundable deposit?refundable deposit? Are we expecting students to make a serious Are we expecting students to make a serious

commitment? Do we want them to give serious commitment? Do we want them to give serious thought to the decision, or simply hold a spot?thought to the decision, or simply hold a spot?

Does encouraging “soft” contracts make Does encouraging “soft” contracts make enrollment management easier or more enrollment management easier or more difficult?difficult?

Are we truly committed to May 1Are we truly committed to May 1stst as a as a decision deadline, or is it just something we decision deadline, or is it just something we have to “deal” with?have to “deal” with?

The Deposit GameThe Deposit Game

How else do we put pressure on How else do we put pressure on students and their parents?students and their parents?

Early Housing DepositsEarly Housing Deposits Early Registration ProgramsEarly Registration Programs Early Orientation ProgramsEarly Orientation Programs

How do we expect them to respond to this How do we expect them to respond to this pressure?pressure?

Does it make our jobs easier or more Does it make our jobs easier or more difficult?difficult?

SPGP on May 1SPGP on May 1

SPGP II. B. 3: SPGP II. B. 3: ““Post secondary members agree Post secondary members agree that they will permit first year candidates for fall that they will permit first year candidates for fall admission to choose among offers of admissions, admission to choose among offers of admissions, financial aid and scholarship until May 1 and will financial aid and scholarship until May 1 and will state this deadline explicitly in their offers of state this deadline explicitly in their offers of admission.”admission.”

SPGP II. B. 5: SPGP II. B. 5: “Post secondary members agree “Post secondary members agree that they will work with their institution’s senior that they will work with their institution’s senior administrative officers to ensure that financial aid administrative officers to ensure that financial aid and scholarship offers and housing options are and scholarship offers and housing options are not used to manipulate commitments prior to May not used to manipulate commitments prior to May 11

The Financial Aid GameThe Financial Aid Game

Are we providing a clear picture Are we providing a clear picture when it comes to financial when it comes to financial assistance?assistance?

Should we be more concerned with Should we be more concerned with making our institution appear less making our institution appear less expensive or providing an “apples to expensive or providing an “apples to apples” comparison when it comes to apples” comparison when it comes to real costs?real costs?

The Financial Aid GameThe Financial Aid Game The University of Illusions ProposalThe University of Illusions Proposal

CostCost

Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees $16,228$16,228

Room and MealsRoom and Meals $7,370$7,370

Books and SuppliesBooks and Supplies $1,000$1,000

TransportationTransportation $1,530$1,530

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous $2,250$2,250

TotalTotal $28,378$28,378

Your Financial AidYour Financial Aid Semester 1Semester 1Semester 2Semester 2 TotalTotal

Federal Stafford Subsidized LoanFederal Stafford Subsidized Loan $1,750$1,750 $1,750$1,750$3,500$3,500

Federal PLUS Parent Loan – EFTFederal PLUS Parent Loan – EFT $11,439$11,439 $11,439$11,439$22,878$22,878

Arizona Excellence T1 GrantArizona Excellence T1 Grant $1,000$1,000 $1,000$1,000 $2,000$2,000

TotalTotal $14,189$14,189 $14,189$14,189 $28,378$28,378

The Waiting GameThe Waiting Game Snooty College announced earlier this Snooty College announced earlier this

year that they plan to wait list some year that they plan to wait list some 1,400 students, hoping to maybe admit 1,400 students, hoping to maybe admit 25 from that group.25 from that group.

IWU Wait List FormulaIWU Wait List FormulaDesired # of deposits from the wait listDesired # of deposits from the wait list 2525At 70% yield, # to admit from the wait listAt 70% yield, # to admit from the wait list 35 35 Desired # of wait listed students to considerDesired # of wait listed students to consider80 80 At a 20% response rate, # to place on wait listAt a 20% response rate, # to place on wait list

400400

When Does Leadership Begin?

You begin developing your leadership skills starting on the first day of your career.

The example you set early in your career will affect your opportunities for future leadership as well as how you are perceived as a leader.

“Lead by example.”

Early Opportunities for Leadership

Student Ambassadors

Student Workers

IACAC

Don’t just do the minimum. Ask the “deeper” questions. Don’t just settle for being knowledgeable; be an expert in your field.

Effective Senior Leadership

Good communication, both up and down the ladder

Get organized, stay organized

Don’t get emotional; the ship is as steady as the captain

Watch, listen and learn BEFORE you take action

Be flexible; be creative (Different Strokes, “blessed be the peacemaker”)

Ethics in Leadership The earlier you develop your ethical core, the

easier you will find decision-making as your career progresses.

As a leader, you set the tone. Is everyone rowing in the same direction ethically?

You WILL feel pressure to go against your ethics. How will you respond?

If you feel good about what you do, going to work each day becomes something you really enjoy doing.

Where Do We Go from Where Do We Go from Here?Here?

The decisions we make not only affect students The decisions we make not only affect students and parents, but they also affect our and parents, but they also affect our colleagues.colleagues.

Once a group of institutions decides to engage Once a group of institutions decides to engage in practices that may not be in the best in practices that may not be in the best interest of the process, it puts greater pressure interest of the process, it puts greater pressure on other colleges to respond.on other colleges to respond.

That pressure can then cause others to adopt, That pressure can then cause others to adopt, create, and utilize questionable tactics.create, and utilize questionable tactics.

If we can not provide a strong and uniform If we can not provide a strong and uniform example of ethical practices, and show strong example of ethical practices, and show strong support of those who choose to do things the support of those who choose to do things the right way, then we can not expect others to act right way, then we can not expect others to act ethically in return.ethically in return.