Emerging regulations require higher education financial aid staff to handle many tasks. Complying with these regulations and participating in mandated compliance audits are complex processes that require numerous departments to work in concert. This article discusses what steps colleges and universities can take to improve their compliance audits.…

As the technology landscape is continually evolving, transitions to newer software are commonplace in higher education. Change is often difficult to navigate, especially when the change that is implemented fundamentally impacts entrenched business processes. In no place is this more evident than when implementing a new system, whether the…

This is the second installment of the AACRAO management series focusing on project management in the academy. In this article, the authors focus on white papers (often called charters, briefs, or fact sheets) and their partner, the work plan. The work plan is a detailed document that defines each aspect of a project. It is often preceded by a…

This is the first in a series of forum articles on applying project management (PM) techniques and tools to the nonprofit sector with a focus on higher education. The authors will begin with a traditional look at project management because they believe that the integration of the tools and the processes associated with PM into many campus offices…

Applying a consumer satisfaction model to higher education program administration provides the manager with a systemic view of satisfaction, related variables, and postpurchase (alumni) actions. By manipulating the variables leading to consumer satisfaction, the institution can satisfy its consumers and increase the likelihood the consumer will…

A model using four categories of college applicants (enrollment deposit paid, deposit not yet paid, applicants not yet admitted, and those who have not yet applied) that allows forecasting of freshman enrollment from any point in the admission process and simulates the effects of trends and strategies on enrollment is outlined. (MSE)

The process of project management is illustrated through application to one activity, development of a new brochure, within the admissions program of a fictional college. The project life cycle is described, and a work responsibility schedule, project completion schedule, and critical path chart are used as planning and implementation tools. (MSE)

While enrollment management bears a great resemblance to marketing, the interest in it is symbolic of a new step in the evolution of American colleges, acknowledging that higher education needs a more professional approach to self-management. (MSE)

A survey of four-year undergraduate institutions concerning enrollment management looked at program prevalence and form, differences among institutions using and not using them, and obstacles to program development. Results suggest that while many institutions are pro-active, most do not believe projected enrollment declines will affect their…

Results of a survey concerning the student recruiting practices of the 114 graduate academic units in one large public research university are presented. They concern recruiting activities before and after initial student expression of interest in the program. (MSE)

The principles and common practices of enrollment management efforts in colleges and universities are outlined, and institutional conditions favoring effective enrollment management are discussed. (MSE)

The current status of computer use in student admissions and records functions in colleges and universities is briefly reviewed, and the changes occurring in Brigham Young University's admissions office functions during the 13 years of computer applications are outlined. (MSE)

A marketing information system approach for college admissions is outlined that includes objectives, information needs and sources, a data collection format, and information evaluation. Coordination with other institutional information systems is recommended. (MSE)

Recommendations made as a result of a Wingspread Colloquium on college marketing and student recruitment are reported. Abuses and specific remedies in recruiting, providing information, pricing and financing, student selection, and performance obligations and guarantees are outlined. Focus is on ethical and public interest issues. (MSE)

A systems analysis-based process of structured observation is proposed as a means of describing and determining the value of college admissions and records program procedures. The process involves data collection, interviews of the personnel responsible for specific procedures, diagramming the system, and observation. A sample case is presented.…