Admissions News @ FVSU

FVSU tops in enrollment growth for second year

clinem — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:49:28 -0500

This week, Fort Valley State University can boast about playing a significant role in the University System of Georgia’s growth. For the second year in a row, FVSU tops growth charts among accredited, comprehensive four-year institutions in the system. Wildcats, 3,093 in all, packed the campus and increased enrollment by 21 percent. Total USG enrollment grew by 4.8 percent.

Among the 46,711 first-time freshmen enrolled in USG schools, 1,909 call FVSU home. Ongoing construction, new academic programs, and an aggressive recruitment campaign are drawing new Wildcats to the Valley according to Dr. Dawn DeVeaux, interim executive director of enrollment management.

“I am blessed to work with a great, hardworking team. Every office devoted time and sacrifice so that we could take this university to a new height,” DeVeaux said. “Meeting this historic landmark again is a great pleasure.”

“We are elated about accomplishing yet another milestone. We anticipate that our growth will be even greater next year, particularly given the new academic program offerings along with the online and distance education programs that were recently approved by the Board of Regents,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Daniel K. Wims. “This should allow us to boost enrollment at the Warner Robins Center and online. Additionally, our new graduate programs should continue to raise graduate enrollment. With the new academic science classroom and laboratory building, we anticipate record numbers in biology and other science majors on campus.”

Of FVSU’s expanded student population, 1,646, or 53 percent are freshmen. 1,712, or 55 percent of FVSU’s students are female, narrowing the gender gap compared to USG totals. The percentage of female students in the system overall is 57.7.

FVSU to host Fall Preview Day

miltonc — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:20:27 -0400

High schoolers and their parents are invited to experience life through the eyes of students at one of Georgia’s premiere educational institutions when Fort Valley State University hosts its 2008 Fall Preview Day. The event is Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Health and Physical Education Complex. “This is an opportunity for parents and students to enjoy the best that FVSU has to offer,” said Donavon Coley, the university’s director of admissions. This is a family affair because we are a family-friendly campus.”

To get a slice of campus life, prospective students must arrive at 8 a.m. promptly to sign in. Departments will highlight academic programs and course offerings through special informational displays on the complex floor. Professors will be on hand to meet students.

The day officially kicks off with an assembly at 9:30 a.m. Immediately following, participants will take a campus tour of FVSU facilities such as the newly-constructed Wildcat Commons student housing complex and the school’s academic facilities. University representatives will walk parents through the financial aid process and registration for housing.

All guests are invited to stay for lunch at 12:30 p.m. then catch the sights and sounds of wildcat spirit in action during the FVSU vs. Miles College football game beginning at 1 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. To register online for Preview Day, visit www.fvsu.edu by Oct. 17. After Oct. 17, call the Office of Recruitment at (478) 825-6307.

Record-breaking enrollment expected at FVSU

lewiss — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:39:09 -0400

Fort Valley State University administrators, faculty and staff are celebrating a milestone in the institution’s history. Newly arrived students have pushed fall 2008 enrollment figures to an all-time high. FVSU ended a second week of registration with more than 3,400 students registered, most already attending classes. The number represents a jump of nearly 35 percent over comparable figures last year.

FVSU administrators caution that when the final calculations are submitted, there will be a decline of, perhaps, 5 percent or more in current totals. But even with the slight decrease, the final tally will break FVSU’s highest enrollment of 3,024 in 1996. “Preliminary figures this summer indicated a rise in the number of students on campus. Today, we’re happy to see it realized,” said FVSU President Larry E. Rivers.

Terrance Smith, FVSU’s vice president of student affairs, placed the student population increase in context. “When President Rivers arrived on campus 28 months ago, we had fewer than 2,000 students enrolled. Last fall, we set the University System of Georgia record with a 17 percent bump. The university family embraced the president’s vision of ‘enrollment, enrollment, enrollment’ and worked together to double last year’s increase.”

The student influx is visible in the campus cafeteria and filled-to-capacity residence halls. “We increased our staff by one third and hired an additional 40 workers,” said Mia Buck, Thompson Hospitality’s resident district manager.

“The new residence halls now under construction could be filled right now,” Smith says. The new arrivals represent the largest freshman class in FVSU history and the largest number of students ever to live on campus.

“Final totals will not be tabulated until October. Some students who are registered may not attend and others will face withdrawal because they lack sufficient funds,” Rivers observed. “We are straining every resource to provide assistance, and will keep looking for every dollar we can find for scholarships and loans. And, we still can accept contributions this semester!”

Financial Aid announces new budget

clinem — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:26:48 -0400

Fort Valley State University’s Financial Aid department is increasing its budget to help students cover the higher cost of college. Each new budget reflects the increased expenses associated with tuition, fees, housing and transportation to better serve students depending on their financial situations. Eula Solomon, director of financial aid, says that budget categories have been expanded from twelve to sixteen – to increase the aid eligibility amount for students.
“Bottom line, the budgets were changed because of changes in the cost of living,” Solomon added. “The old budget — that had not been changed in nine years — was based on old cost of living figures. Gas prices have made everything more expensive. We’ve had to adjust our budget to help our students meet the increased costs.”
The pricing structure will also change because of the University System of Georgia’s Guaranteed Fixed Tuition Rate started in 2006. The GFTR ensures that a new student entering an institution will pay the same tuition rate for a maximum of four years. The four additional categories will be based on the year that students enter FVSU.
“New budget categories were created because students are facing different financial situations, so we have different budgets for each individual,” Solomon continues. “For example, a student living out of state will have additional expenses – like travel – compared to an in-state student.”
“Under the leadership of Ms. Solomon, the budget has increased to help FVSU students,” said V. Regina Rockingham, associate director of financial aid. “The additional money will help students pay for college necessities like room and board, a personal computer and insurance.”

Under the old formula — a sample budget for a FVSU dependent, in-state student who lives on campus might read:
Books and Supplies - $900
Student Loan Fees - $100
Personal Expenses $1,000
Room & Board - $5,910
Tuition and Fees - $3,558
Transportation - $600

Under the new budget — dependent, in-state students who live on campus will receive:
Books and Supplies: $1,200
Student Loan Fees: $100
Personal Expenses: $3,300
Room & Board: $6,094
Tuition and Fees: $4,018
Transportation: $1,600

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (478) 825-6351.

FVSU goes to electronic awarding system

clinem — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:47:34 -0400

By Brandon Mackey, student intern

Fort Valley State University’s Office of Financial Aid and Veteran affairs is using an all-electronic computer system this fall in an effort to prevent long registration lines. Director Eula Solomon expects to see great success with the kiosks. The eleven desktop systems were purchased through Title III funding, for a total of $9,191.00.

“We did not invent the wheel, we just duplicated it and implemented it into our system,” Solomon says of the awarding process. The kiosks, which have been in use in small numbers since August, were designed to shorten lines, free up counselors’ time and ease students’ minds.

During past registration periods, the Financial Aid office has been swamped with students who form lines that go down the hall and around the corner. This year will be different. “There will be lines,” says Solomon, “but they won’t be registration lines.”

The electronic system is expected to help greatly with time management. In the past, it could take an advisor up to forty-five minutes to walk one student through the financial aid and registration process. After activating the kiosk system in 2007, the department served 1,300 students in less than fifteen minutes. By using the computerized system, the department has already helped 2,800 students for fall 2008.

FVSU hires Financial Aid Counselor

clinem — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:28:44 -0400

Fort Valley State University’s Office of Financial Aid welcomes Charles Kendrick as its newest financial aid counselor. Kendrick enjoys supporting the educational endeavors of young people.

“We’re fortunate to have him aboard,” said Eula Solomon, director of the Office of Financial Aid.

Kendrick earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida A& M University in 1984 and an associate’s degree in teaching from Miami Dade College. He taught at Miami Central High School for more than four years. The Miami native earned a master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2005.

FVSU’s anticipated record-busting student enrollment this fall has the new counselor busy learning the policies and procedures of the financial aid office and making sure that students can focus more on academics and less on college expenses.

Kendrick, whose grandparents are from Fort Valley, has visited Peach County since childhood. “Fort Valley is in my blood,” he said. “I have so many relatives here.”

Incoming freshmen attend packed orientation

clinem — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:44:47 -0400

It looks like fall classes at Fort Valley State University are in full session to visitors in the W. W. E. Blanchet CTM building. That’s because of a standing room only crowd of parents and students spilling into the lobby from the auditorium there. Today, the newcomers to campus attended a pre-orientation event to learn about academic programs, student life, housing and any information that will help make the transition to college life a smooth one.

“This orientation will give students an introduction to several key areas of our institution,” said Wallace Keese, director of student services and coordinator for the event. “We are one of the most affordable universities in Georgia. We have very caring professors. Since we are a small institution we can customize our programs.”
This is the second orientation held this summer to acquaint new students with their home away from home. Two more events are scheduled next month for incoming students: July 11 and 18.

“It was a good event. They covered every department pretty well and went into depth about the requirements,” said Xavier Adams, an incoming freshman from Kathleen.
“I’m majoring in computer science,” said Kandise Giles, a Sparta native. “At orientation, they taught me what core classes I’d need to take and even gave a tour of the building where I’ll be taking my courses. I also saw a model of the room I’ll be staying in during the fall and met with some of the deans.”

To register for the free event, students should find out if they need testing at 478-825-6384 and then contact FVSU’s Student Activities Center at (478) 825-9133.

FVSU holds Atlanta recruiting event

clinem — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:28:10 -0400

Atlanta high school graduates and non-traditional students ready to take a step toward college will receive expert advice and a tasty meal at Fort Valley State University’s Annual Blue and Gold Social Cookout. The event gives potential metro area students and their families a taste of wildcat hospitality, Saturday, June 14, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Atlanta’s J.C. Birdine Center. The festive barbecue is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta FVSU Alumni Chapter. Qualified students who apply will be admitted to the university on the spot.

“We’re holding this event in an effort to seal the deal with potential Wildcats and show others that FVSU is the place to be,” said FVSU recruiter Sammie Haynes.

During the cookout, a deejay will spin tunes while parents and future Wildcats chow down on hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and veggie burgers hot off the grill.

The Offices Recruitment and Admissions will walk individuals through the application process. Michael Dinkins – FVSU’s new scholarship coordinator – and other financial aid officers will smooth out the financial process for new students. Director of Bands Kevin Jones and Concert Choir Director Alvin Tuck will also be on hand recruiting new students.

Expect door prizes and giveaways throughout the day. Students are encouraged to RSVP prior to June 13. For more information, call (478) 825-6307.