Enrollment management and financial aid status will be the focus of the Faculty Senate meeting today.

Jerry Donna, Director of Financial Aid, will be giving a report on the Financial Aid Department’s work and plans for the future.

With the economy not improving any time soon, further stress has been placed on aid for students.

The cost of attendance at Eastern, which has risen in recent years, is currently $18,240 for entering freshmen. As a result, students are finding money-saving alternatives.

Donna said he is prepared to take questions on how budget concerns affect financial aid.

“We’re seeing a lot more students choosing to spend their first two years at community colleges,” Donna said. It is an issue that is likely to continue to affect students in the years to come.

Brenda Major, Director of Admissions, will address the Senate on enrollment management.

This year, transfer enrollment is up, while new freshman enrollment has decreased, with 213 fewer freshmen enrolled since last fall.

Eastern’s total enrollment for Fall 2010 is at 11,630, down from 11,966 at this time last year, according to a press release issued from the university.

The Faculty Senate will hear the reports from Donna and Major in hopes of finding out what can be done in the future.

“We want to make sure we’re keeping pace.” said John Pommier, Faculty Senate chair.

Old business being reviewed by the senate from their previous meeting from Aug. 31 will be the senate nominations and elections committees as well as other reports.

Faculty Senate will meet in the Booth Library conference room at 2 p.m.

Mel Boydston can be reached at 581-7942 or mmboydston@eiu.edu