Brenda Major told the Faculty Senate Tuesday that Illinois is the second highest exporter of college-prepared high school graduates in the nation; California is the first.

The bottom line, how can Eastern get more of those students on to campus earlier?

Major said that although the number of transfer students for this semester has increased, they would like to see a highenumber of initial freshmen enroll at Eastern.

Major, Eastern’s Director of Admissions, told the senate that more students are applying for colleges online than ever before, and, as a result, many do not thoroughly read through enrollment packages to gain a full understanding of the school.

“When they apply online they are less likely to communicate with their guidance counselors,” Major said.

Major has been a regular at the first Faculty Senate meeting of the year for many years and Faculty Senate Chair, Lynne Curry, said her presence is beneficial for the senate members.

“We find it to be a good way to find out who our students are and have an idea of the numbers,” Curry said.

Major said Admissions has been working very hard to send the enrollment packages directly to the students and guidance counselors.

The department will also focus on connecting on a more personal level with high school juniors and seniors.

“We are also going to start contacting those students through e-mail, mail, and telephone to talk them through the enrollment process,” said Major.

She said the Admissions office will also be working more closely with Financial

Aid, Housing, and Orientation to make sure that each student is continuing to get consistent information throughout the process.

Curry said the meeting accomplished important objectives that will help the year go by efficiently.

Faculty Senate members were appointed to several committees, including the nominations committee, student faculty relations committee, and faculty forum committee.

The Faculty Senate Web site will be undergoing improvements throughout the next weeks but will still be accessible.

For more information on Faculty Senate, click here.