12/19/2023 EMSS Division Communication

December 19, 2023

EMSS Team Members:

I hope this finds all of you doing well, as we move towards winter break and some well-deserved time away from campus for the majority of our team – although, we should never forget that we do have EMSS team members who work through breaks to support students who remain on campus. Many thanks to every member of our team for your hard work throughout this semester, and all you have done to support the success and engagement of our students.

As your time allows, please take a few moments to read some of the current highlights from our division below:

Admissions and Enrollment Update

We are in the midst of a strong application cycle for the Fall 2024 semester and have extended our application deadline to January 31. Our applications are trending well ahead of most historical time periods, though slightly behind last year and our growth target for the new cycle. However, EM has a number of efforts underway that will continue to drive new applications. Our Enrollment Target Progress Team meets regularly to review performance to target, and is now sharing out monthly reports to leadership – you can read the Dec. 18 report here.

As part of the ongoing Slate reimplementation, new admission and decisioning processes are now underway. As of Monday, more than 12,300 freshmen have been admitted, and today, more than 7,000 transfer applicants will receive their decisions, which will then continue to roll out on a regular schedule through the remainder of the cycle. Students have only recently been able to deposit to share their intent to enroll next fall, but more than 70 students have already done so.

We are also excited to have a very similar number of applicants for Spring as we did last year, which was a growth semester for us, and we are welcoming 83 new housing residents joining us in January. We have about the same number of students leaving housing due to graduation, so this spring growth will serve to keep housing occupancy relatively stable between semesters.

EM Structure Update

This summer’s reorganization of various roles in the Admissions and Registrar’s offices has clarified the mission of these two offices – Admissions can now focus on outreach and recruitment efforts, and the Registrar can focus on the processes to get students enrolled. Both of these areas are essential to the planned growth of our campus and require significant new strategic work by these teams. We wanted to share some clarification regarding the work now being done within the Registrar’s Office.

Formerly known as the Admissions Call Unit (ACU), what is now the Admissions and Records Call Unit (ARCU) is a one-stop for all students to get their questions answered about admissions, transcripts, records and registration, and this unit reports to the University Registrar. Current contact information: 707-826-4402 or apply@humboldt.edu

In the same vein, the Office of the Registrar will now be known as the Office of Records and Registration. For more specific questions around graduation, enrollment verifications/proof of enrollment, DARS, etc. our front office continues to provide service to the public in SBS 133, or via phone: 707-826-4101 or email: records@humboldt.edu

Position Changes & Searches

Julie Koeppel, Publications Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar will be retiring in mid-January 2024. Julie has been a rockstar on our team and for the campus community on all things related to the catalog, forms, curriculum change tracking and more for many years in our office and earlier in other departments on campus like Academic Programs.

Isabelle Eddisford, Administrative Support in the Office of the Registrar changed roles beginning Monday, December 18, and starting as the Enrollment Services Specialist (a new role). Both Registrar Office vacancies will be posted soon.

Steve St. Onge was recently announced as the new VP of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, effective in early March. In the coming weeks, he and VP Holliday will work with his team regarding transition planning, in a manner that allows Cal Poly Humboldt to continue the good work already underway and ensure stability for the team and the students they serve.

Events

Pineapple Express food truck: Please welcome this community partner to The Campus Store Arcata on Fridays, from 11:30am to 5pm. Stop by for lunch and support great local food, as well as our store location on the Plaza.

Admissions Receptions: The Admissions team, along with partners from across campus, will be on the road first thing in the new year at January receptions – be sure cheer them on!    

Globetrotters: This exciting entertainment event returns to campus Wednesday, Jan. 17. Get your tickets before they sell out!

EMSS Division Spring Welcome: Plan to join your colleagues for a welcome message and lunch from 11 am-1 pm on Monday, January 22nd in the Great Hall. Be on the lookout for a calendar invite and be sure to RSVP – if you haven’t received your calendar invite, reach out to Jess Etter.

As always, if you have items for inclusion in this division communication, share them with me via e-mail, or with the EMSS Leadership Team member in your area.

I wish you all well over winter break and whatever celebrations you may enjoy – take time to rest, refresh, and prepare for the spring semester. The next division communication is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Chrissy Holliday

Vice President, EMSS

Cal Poly Humboldt

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