OASFAA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation, Columbus, OH

March 9, 2007

 

 

Pamela Arrington*

Mary Arter Bell*

Amy Baker*                  

Robin Belleville

Stacey Black*

Doran Brock*

John Brown

Mike Clouse*

Don Chenelle*

Bev Dalheim*

Deb Divers*

Joan Dornette*

Roger Eldridge

Steve England*

Carrie Euype*

Ann Marie Gruber*

Greg Guzman

Lee Harrell

Jennifer Hayes*

Pamela Hughes

Sherri Jianuzzi

Angela Johnson*

Betsy Johnson

Karen Kopp

Scott Lehman*

Marty Maliwesky*

Donna McCullough

Amanda McPherson*

Kim Nash-Yore*

Melony Ohalek

Mayme Patthoff

Mary Lynn Perri*

Francis Robbins*

Wendell Schick*

Michiale Schneider

Carmen Sears-Edwards

Charles Shahid

Becky Shinaberry*

Doris Smith

Stephanie Sutton*

LaToya Sykes

Karen Tijanich*

Lee Ann Timmerman*

Andrea Tracy

Randy Ulses*

Michele Wade*

Ralph Walker

Karen Wallace*

Claudia Wenzel*

Cheryl Willard*

Connie Williams

 

*Present

 

Meeting called to order at 10:10 a.m.

 

 

I.  Announcements and New Business                             Claudia Wenzel

 

Claudia thanked Kim Nash-Yore for taking on VP for Training

 

Claudia requesting names of supervisors of all of exec members for thank you for their service.  Also requested that your committee members are up to date on the OASFAA website.  Also be sure that they are OASFAA members.

 

James White Award-Claudia looking for assistance and input to select award recipient.  Claudia to send out an official notice soliciting input for the award process.  Don suggested sending out a list of past recipients and a description of the award.

 

Bluffton University baseball team tragedy-Cheryl Willard suggested offering a scholarship in deceased students’ names on behalf of OASFAA.  Don mentioned that there is precedent for OASFAA provided scholarship dollars for similar incidents.  ($500)  Mike Clouse mentioned that there is a memorial fund set up for the students at Bluffton.  Mike to get further information.  Maybe have Lawrence Matthews present the gift.    Claudia also to check the budget for funds.  The charity fund drive for Spring conference was suggested for raising funds for the scholarship.  Randy Ulses mentioned to be careful of precedent.  (In favor of scholarship) 

 

Lawrence Matthews update.  Lawrence to work with families that affected by the Bluffton tragedy.

 

Policy breakfast-Invitations to the breakfast were mailed to exec committee earlier this week.  Breakfast is March 28.  Governor Strickland was invited.  Not confirmed that he will be in attendance.  Mailed to all state legislatures.  Approximately 80 RSVPs.  Approximately 20-25 students to be attendance.  Many speakers are confirmed.  (Updated from Moralee)  Exec members and past presidents (still in the business) were all invited for OASFAA.  Approximately 200-300 attendees expected.  Discussion on what OASFAA members that attend what should be some talking points.  (amount of aid to students, meeting with your particular legislature, membership numbers, etc.)  State issues committee to take a lead in this.   

 

II. Old Business

 

P&P issues

 

Archivist (Ann Bauers) at BGSU is willing to pull the minutes from the OASFAA website to update the archives.

 

Proposed changes to P&P passed around by Michele Wade.  Executive committee to review changes for next meeting.  Executive committee needs to approve the updated P&P.  Updates to the committee descriptions also requested to be updated.  

 

Randy asked why offer registration fees covered for certain OASFAA members and not the hotel registration since they have to be in attendance.  Claudia suggested that it may be a budgetary issue.  Discussion:  Who gets registration and hotel fees covered by OASFAA.

 

Michele to send changes to the proposal to exec committee prior to next exec meeting.  Executive committee to vote on changes at the next executive meeting.

 

III. Secretary’s Report                                                     Scott Lehman

 

Minutes from the November 3 Executive Committee meeting posted to website.

 

Stephanie Sutton motioned to approve Jan. 26 minutes.  Deb Divers seconded.  Minutes for 1/26/07 approved.  Will post to OASFAA website.

       

IV. Treasurer’s Report                                                     Stephanie Sutton

 

Summary of activities:

 

§            All accounts reconciled with bank statements.

 

§            Federal and State Tax Returns filed and mailed on 2/14/07, thus meeting the 2/15/07 deadline.  Confirmation receipts received to confirm delivery.

 

V. Regional Representatives Reports

 

A.)    Northeast                                                          Stacey Black

 

Summary of activities: 

4th Meeting @ Cleveland Foundation- March 23

tax information and verification

FA/ OASFAA past present and future

5th Meeting@ Akron Zoo- April 25

 Need Analysis         

 

Activities planned but not yet completed: 

Still need presenter and topic for afternoon session for 5th meeting

           

B.)    Northwest                                                          Sherri Jianuzzi

 

March 30 Northwest Regional meeting will be held at Winebrenner in Findlay.  Two speakers have been confirmed.

 

C.)    Southeast                                                         Amanda McPherson

 

Next to last meeting is Friday March 2nd.   Haven't had many responses for attendance, I think there are some people that didn't get the email to the region.  I heard from several people that said they never received the email.  I resent the email 2/26 to see if I get any more responses.  The last meeting is scheduled on April 20th at Zane State/OU-Z.

 

D.)    Southwest                                                         Doran Brock

 

Summary of activities:

 

The Second Southwest Regional Meeting was held on February 8th at Wilmington College. We had the Need Analysis committee give us a wonderful presentation and training.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

The next regional meeting will be on March 8th at Xavier University. In this meeting we will be covering Loan Consolidation and Consortium Agreements.   

 

Doran having problems with members receiving e-mails.

 

VI. Executive Committee Reports

 

A.)    VP for Training                                       Kim Nash-Yore

 

1.)     Support Professional Committee                   Karen Tajanich

 

Emails sent out soliciting nominations for Support Professional of the year.

 

2.)     Need Analysis                                             Carmen Sears-Edwards

 

Summary of activities:

 

We conducted our Need Analysis sessions in each of the four regions:

 

·         February 1st, 2007 NE at Baldwin Wallace College – Four attendees. Session will be repeated on April 25th due to conflict with NASFAA training

·         February 7th, 2007- NW at Bowling Green Firelands Campus – 30 Attendees

·         February 8th, 2007- SW at Wilmington College – 20 Attendees

·         February 16th, 2007 – SE at Franklin College – 18 Attendees

 

Evaluations were very positive; will forward to committee.  One suggestion if Need Analysis does go back to four sessions for next winter that the fourth session be a detailed review of completing the FAFSA.

 

3.)     NASFAA Training

 

No report at this time.

 

4.)     Outreach Committee                                    Bev Dalheim

 

Summary of activities:

 

The committee held its last meeting for 2006-07 on Feb. 22.  At the meeting we reviewed 2006-07 and began planning for 2007-08.  Activities include:  OACAC Articulation Workshops, Honda Fair Days, OACAC conference and advisor training, Regional Meetings, OASFAA winter conference, and the biggest challenge of all, the Counselor Workshops.

 

The 07-08 Committee is off to a great start with a lot of great ideas and suggestions, as well as great volunteers…..but we always welcome everyone who has time and interest.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

None for 2006-07.

 

Recommended discussion items for the Executive Committee:

 

Budget for 2007-08?   including the EAC/NASFAA funds from OASFAA.

 

Claudia asked that Bev and Carrie review budget to see what is causing overages.

 

5.)     Early Awareness Committee             LaToya Sykes

 

No report at this time.

 

6)       College Goal Sunday Committee                   Doris Smith

 

Summary of activities:

 

College Goal Sunday ’07 has come and gone and been a great success!  On Sunday, February 11, 2007, we assisted 1371 students/families in completing their FAFSA’s for 2007-08.   The number of volunteers from OASFAA, OCAN, high school guidance offices, etc. totaled 437.  Over all there were 3141 people participating in College Goal Sunday ’07. All 35 sites have reported excellent evaluations from students and families.

 

The wrap-up meeting for CGS ’07 was held Friday, February 23rd at Great Lakes Higher Education Corp.  Most site coordinators were in attendance and offered good comments and suggestions which will be reviewed for next year.  Evaluations and surveys have been collected from all sites and are being reviewed by the co-chairs and then sent on to Marcia Weston at NASFAA.  They will evaluate and record all survey results and send us a report showing the results.

 

(Handout passed out to Executive Committee members of numbers at each site.)

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:


Another meeting of the co-chairs will be held in the near future to review the time table and suggestions discussed at the wrap-up meeting.  We plan on meeting in the next two weeks to finish the wrap-up for ’07 and get started with the planning of CGS ’08.  Save the date now…Sunday, February 10, 2008!!

 

7)       Web Manager                                              John Brown

 

No report at this time.

 

B)      VP for Conferences                                Angela Johnson

 

Goal is to have registration to be on website by March 19.  On-line program to be on website on 19th as well.  30 interest sessions.  Hoping to have Governor Strickland on site for opening session.  Student success stories will be part of conference.  Angela asking for student success stories suggestions.  Discussion of what type of student to bring in.  What defines “success story.”

 

“Ask Jamie” session after her general session on Thursday morning.  Various other sessions were discussed.

 

1.)     Corporate Development                                 Karen Wallace

 

Summary of activities:

     

For Winter Conference 2006 we had 40 exhibitors and 20 sponsors; for a total dollar commitment of $42,100. There are still two vendors unpaid, but they have been contacted. 

       

For 2006-2007 General Corporate Sponsorship we have received all payments.

 

Attended pre-conference site meeting on February 8th.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

Revising sponsorship website for Spring Conference.

 

2.)     Professional Development                             Pamela Arrington

 

Considering a committee’s fair at spring conference.  Working with Jennifer Hayes for new members.  Asking committee chairs to update their committee responsibilities with the P&P and get that information to Jen.

 

3.)     Conference

 

a.)     Site                                                      Frances Robbins

 

Summary of activities:

 

·                     Betsy participated in the conference site visit on Feb. 8 and conference planning meeting on Feb. 9

·                     We had a conference call with Angela on February 16 to plan the timeslots and rooms to use for break-out sessions

·                     We redesigned the interest session form to be submitted by the moderator.  The new version asks the moderator to inform the site chairs of all A/V plans for the session – not just the A/V needs the presenter will have from OASFAA.  This will help us in room assignment and set-up. 

 

Future activities planned:

 

·                     We will be working on interest session A/V needs and room assignments as we receive interest session forms from the moderators

 

Recommended discussion items for the Executive Committee:

·                     We will need to clarify who will be able to provide projectors, laptops and other A/V needs for the spring conference.

 

b.)     Program                                                Lee Ann Timmerman 

 

Looking at designs for Spring Program.

 

c.)     Entertainment                                        Martha Geiger

 

Summary of activities:

 

·                     Formed entertainment committee (Lee Harrell, Michael Jacobs, Tasha McDaniel, Michiale Schneider)

·                     Held initial individual meeting with some committee members to discuss options and events needed for conference.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

·                     Entertainment

o                    Decide on spring conference entertainment ideas: “Amazing Race”, “FAO Connections” + DJ or Live Band.

§                     Decide on game

§                     Investigate pricing between DJ or live band

o                    Coordinate with hotel for drink tickets and hotel restaurant/bar hours during conference.

o                    Coordinate with hotel for Evening on your Own options for guests

·                     Charitable

o                    Investigate opportunities for charitable event or drive at winter conference. Ideas from committee members are requested.

·                     Student Group Performance

o                    Identify a “student” group to perform for 60-90 minutes during the welcome lunch on Wednesday.

 

Recommended Discussion Items for Executive Committee:

 

No items for Entertainment Committee at this time. I will keep in contact with Angela on any new developments.

 

Recommended Action Items for Executive Committee:

 

I am looking for guidance on a charitable activity.  I would like to break away from the book drive if possible. I am not sure how broad the charity need to be. Inner City options in Cincinnati as well as help for the homeless and Shriners Hospital are options that have been mentioned. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

d.)     Registration                                           Ann Marie Gruber

 

No report at this time

 

4.)     Leadership                                                  Mike Clouse

 

Summary of activities:

 

We are in the process of gathering current e-mail addresses for all the past leadership graduates, and then we will be e-mailing them to see if they are interested in serving on the leadership committee for next year.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

We are working on a session for spring conference.  The session will focus on recruiting for 2007-2008 leadership class and answering any questions that the participants may have about leadership.  Also, are encouraging all new members to attend this session.

 

Working with Michiale Schneider for pictures from past classes.  Also looking to have a panel discussion.

 

Considering putting together an overnight “retreat” possibly Oct. 11-12.

 

Recommended discussion items for the Executive Committee:

 

We feel and the recommendations showed that there is a real value for having a leadership retreat either a one-day event or an overnight stay.  This helps break the ice and makes things run smoother for winter conference.  We would just like to hear some thoughts from the executive committee on this. 

 

5.)  New Member/Mentor                                    Jennifer Hayes

 

Summary of activities:

 

We will be having a conference call on March 20 to discuss session topics and other ideas for spring conference. 

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

We are planning to have a mentor/mentee reunion at Spring conference and get ideas from them to see how things are working and their suggestions for future years.

 

 

C.  President-Elect                                       Amy Baker

           

Summary of activities:

 

·                     2007-2008 Executive Committee Transition meeting will be at Sawmill Creek on Wednesday, June 13th and Thursday June 14th

·                     Submitted two names for the MASFAA Leadership retreat for June:  Jason Reinoehl and Jackie Tracy

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

·                     Will be attending the NASFAA leadership conference March 4-6, 2007 in Washington DC

·                     Currently working on finalizing the nominations for the 2007-2008 year

 

Amy announced ballot.  Statements to candidancy to all candidates.  Voting date to be determined at a later date.

 

Transition meeting at Sawmill Creek June 13-14, 2007.

 

1.)     College Goal Sunday Corporate Development Mary Arter Bell

 

Summary of activities:

 

·         Meeting took place between Mary and Cheryl on 2/8/07.

·         Finalized Corporate Contact list.

·         Finalized letter and phone script.

·    Contacted OASFAA Associate Members on 2/16/07.  (Completing grant with US Bank)

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

                 

·         Mail letters to prospective corporate sponsors on March 16, 2007.

·         Develop follow-up correspondence.

·         Create invoice.

·         Make follow-up phone calls to prospective corporate sponsors between April 1 and April 10, 2007.

·         Send packet to interested parties by April 25, 2007.

 

Project plans circulated to Executive Committee.  (Mary to e-mail that document to me)

 

Discussion about recognition of sponsors.  (How?, where?, levels of sponsorships, marketing & promoting)

 

Discussion about marketing and promoting College Goal Sunday.  

 

D.       Past President                                      Mary Lynn Perri

 

1.)     Association Governance Planning                  Michele Wade

 

Summary of activities:

 

Committee will met on March 2nd to discuss:

·         2000-05 AG&P revisions to P&P that were approved but are not in P&P.

    • Continue refining P&P revision that covers prohibition from sponsorship (general & conference) and exhibiting for vendors whom are not operating in accordance with OASFAA’s mission, vision and goals.

·         Go through entire P&P for general revision recommendations.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

- Once totally revised, we will send updated P&P to John Brown for posting to the web.

 

Recommended discussion items for the Executive Committee:

-None at this time.

 

Recommended action items for the Executive Committee:

a) Approve/discuss any recommendations from AG&P that come from above.

 

2.)     Membership                                                Melony Ohalek

 

OASFAA Membership Statistics 3.8.07

 

All membership payments for applications/renewals processed directly through the membership data base received as of 3.8.07 have been processed.

                                                           

Current membership as of March 8, 2007                                           600

 

Compared to January 26, 2007                                                          477

 

123 memberships processed in little over a month

 

Objective --- to have membership data base as accurate or “clean” prior to the opening of Spring 2007 conference registration.

 

Worked with Ann Marie and Emily to ensure, to the extent that is possible,  that all folks who had made membership payments with conference were properly recorded.

 

Have also been working with Paula to “clean up” the membership data base

Several different issues

They have been working on this but as of 3.8.07 there are still 150 entries on the possible duplicate list and others that I have found that I feel should be on the list that are not appearing ATAC will research these as well.

 

Future action:

Still need to coordinate conversation with conference and oasfaa president , president elect and past president to discuss how membership application./renewal is set up

Also need to look at functionality of the payment data bases such as conference and the capabilities of the chairs. 

 

3.)     Communication                                            Michiale Schneider

 

Summary of activities:

 

Gazette was submitted to ATAC; awaiting proof

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

Two additional Gazettes

 

Recommended discussion items for the Executive Committee:

 

We would like include text at the end of all Gazettes as follows (borrowed from MASFAA):

“Articles may be submitted by any person, committee, state association or organization.  All submissions are subject to final acceptance and review by the editorial board prior to the publication of the newsletter.  Submissions may be rejected, edited for content or edited for length.  Articles must be intended for the benefit of OASFAA members and not for company or promotional purposes.”

 

It was decided that the above recommended item is accepted and implemented.

 

4.)     Regulatory Committee

 

a.)     Federal Issues                                       Martin Maliwesky 

 

Summary of activities:

 

We have compiled an up-to-date contact list for all Ohio members of Congress should OASFAA need to correspond.  We met on February 22nd and discussed the multitude of issues currently being debated by Congress.  As any legislation is finalized, we would be willing to provide updates at upcoming Regional Meetings and/or Spring Conference.  Additionally, if the Executive Committee believes OASFAA needs to take an official position on any pending legislative issues, we offer to draft the document and upon approval of the Executive Committee forward to members of the legislature.

 

Activities planned but not yet completed:

 

Roger will be providing HERA updates at the upcoming Southeast Regional Meeting on March 2nd.

 

b.)     State Issues                                          Connie Williams

 

Summary of activities:

 

A. Clarification from last Exec. Meet.  The Board that governs the Ohio Board of Regents is the Board that the governor is considering disbanding.

 

B. Mike Kinney, College Resource Coordinator for Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission will present at the Spring Conference.

 

 C. Posted on the list serve the new proposed legislation regarding restoring the state income tax deduction for College tuition and fees.

 

Activities planned, but not completed:

 

Contacted Alex Murdoch to arrange to have the Governor speak at Spring Conference.

 

Discussion:  Will OASFAA have an official position about the proposed elimination of the Ohio Choice Grant?  Greg Guzman is gathering more information about the issue.  Concern about the lack of communication from the State. 

 

c.)     Reauthorization Issues

 

No report at this time.

 

d.)     Task Force                                            Wendell Schick/Don Chenelle

 

OHIO ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS

            TASK FORCE ON STUDENT ACCESS AND EARLY AWARENESS

                                    FINAL REPORT – March 7, 2007

 

TASK FORCE CHARGE:

 

The Task Force on Student Access and Early Awareness was charged by President Claudia Wenzel to determine and define OASFAA’s role in Student Access and Early Awareness.

 

The Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and the Economy set a goal of increasing the Ohio college matriculation rate by thirty percent. It was determined that the Task Force should consider:

 

1.    What can OASFAA do to best support students’ needs in the college preparation, planning and selection process?

2.    What role can and should OASFAA play in achieving the matriculation goal of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and the Economy, i.e. to increase the postsecondary matriculation rate in Ohio?

3.    What can and should OASFAA provide to other agencies and organizations to empower them to improve the postsecondary matriculation rate?

4.    How can OASFAA best interface with and support the activities of other interested agencies and organizations whose primary focus is college access?

5.    What assistance would be most valuable to access agencies, Gear Up Programs, Trio Programs and other organizations with a stake in the college planning, preparation and matriculation process?

6.    What can OASFAA realistically accomplish within its defined resources and limited volunteer base?

 

Wendell Schick and Donald Chenelle met to consider the charge and identify Task Force members who would represent the stake holders involved in access and early awareness. A diverse committee was essential to determine the need and properly define a role for OASFAA.

 

The first step in the process was to review OASFAA’s history to determine if OASFAA had previously established any principles of which the committee should be aware. The only previous discussion of OASFAA’s role in access and early awareness had occurred during Wendell Schick’s presidency. Wendell was faced with the potential loss of associate member financial support as a result of a potential change in federal regulations. Therefore, Wendell asked the Executive Committee to determine the core functions that OASFAA must maintain in the event that funding was drastically reduced in the future. The Executive Committee determined that ACCESS was a core function for OASFAA while EARLY AWARENESS was not a core function.

 

Guiding principles were defined against which to measure suggested roles for OASFAA. The guiding principles were applied in evaluating various options that were considered. The guiding principles also should be used to evaluate roles for OASFAA during the college selection continuum, namely aspiration, academic preparation, affordability, availability, academic planning and advancement. All activities should be evaluated on the basis that the specific activity is focused, targeted, consistent and sustainable.

 

What has emerged during our deliberations is a philosophy of access and early awareness, a road map not a blueprint for action. By establishing guiding principles, OASFAA will be able to position itself to react appropriately to changes in the future.

 

At the Task Force meeting, the representatives of the access programs stated their two most pressing needs were funding and staffing.  Even when funding and human resources were initially available to initiate early awareness initiatives, continued funding and staffing to evaluate, maintain and improve the initiative were not readily available.

 

OASFAA member institutions are uniquely positioned to address both of these access and early awareness problems. The use of Federal Work-Study funds to pay student salaries to work in access and early awareness will address both of the primary needs by providing both staff and supplemental funding.

 

To be most effective, it was determined that OASFAA must:

 

·   Define the population to be served;

·   Be aware of trends and initiatives that occur in the state and nationally;

·   Identify and support the activities, efforts and initiatives of the Ohio College Access Network;

·   Identify and support the activities, efforts and initiatives of the TRIO and OACHE (Ohio Appalachian Center on Higher Education) Programs

·   Identify and support initiatives to disseminate information to members of OACAC, OACRAO, and other professional organizations:

·   Support the information needs and activities of the State of Ohio’s Hotline and College Access Portal, both of which are now operational:

·   Continue to support College Goal Sunday;

·   Establish a link within Ohio that ensures the continuous support of the aforementioned agencies;

·   Stay focused and targeted in only those areas in which OASFAA can make a difference;

·   Work diligently to provide continuity and sustainability in the areas of our strength.

 

 

If we examine the data on college matriculation since 1970, the increase in the college going population has occurred primarily among the students whose family income levels place the family in the highest income quartile. That quartile has seen an increase of 39.6 percent while the overall population has only experienced an 11.8 percent increase. Today, a student in the lowest income quartile is five times less likely to attend postsecondary education than a student in the highest income quartile.

 

Therefore, it is our recommendation that OASFAA focus its activities on improving the college matriculation rate of students in the lowest two income quartiles. It is in these two quartiles where there is the greatest potential to affect the matriculation rate and consequently the lives of the students. How can OASFAA maximize its efforts to affect the matriculation rate? Who are these students and how do we reach them.

 

Students, who enter postsecondary education in the next two decades, will increasingly look very different than previous students. They will be increasingly from minority groups, particularly Hispanic and from lower income families. As a result of the dramatic increase in the Hispanic college age population, it will be increasingly important that information and materials be provided in both English and Spanish.

 

OASFAA has neither the manpower nor the forum to reach these potential students on its own. It must do so in cooperation with other organizations whose primary purpose is college access. By matching college and university financial aid offices with individual access organizations, Trio Programs, the Gear Up Lighthouse sites, the Centers of Excellence OASFAA can cooperate with these professionals to provide the neediest students with the motivation, the information and the resources to make the dream of a college education a reality. Schools and access programs with existing relationships and/or written contracts should be matched, for example Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Scholarship Programs and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the Lima Access Program. In areas of the State in which we do not have functioning access programs, OASFAA should match colleges and universities with individual schools in which there is a high concentration of students in the lowest two quartiles of family income.   

 

In addition to the matching of schools and programs, the use of Federal Work-Study to expand the volunteer base and funding of access programs, OASFAA should commit itself to assist the Ohio Board of Regents to maximize the benefits of the College Access Hotline and the College Access Portal, both of which are operational.  OASFAA is in a unique position to help expand the volunteer base and funding of those needs by using Federal Work-Study funds from their institutions to enable students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to supplement programmatic staff, to expand program capabilities and provide direct contact with program clients, i.e. students, parents, counselors and other interested community and access partners.

 

OASFAA can further provide information & training support concerning the financial aid application process and funding opportunities to all the interested agencies.  By doing this, it will not only increase the capacity and capability of these agencies, especially the Regional Centers of Excellence and OCAN, but it can provide correct information about financial aid through them to the students who have the need for the information reducing the concern for the non-availability of funding.

 

While the commitments envisioned by this Task Force Report are substantial, they are well within the capability, resources and volunteer base of OASFAA. The commitments envisioned in this report are focused, targeted, consistent and sustainable. OASFAA would need to commit itself to maintain at least four different functions. First, a group would need to focus on the message itself and delivery of the message. Group Two would have to focus on the matching program. Group Three would have to focus on follow-up and quality control. Finally, Group Four would have to concentrate on the gathering of statistical information and analysis to monitor the effectiveness of OASFAA’s Early Awareness and Access Initiatives.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

The Task Force on Access and Early Awareness

 

Discussion about findings.

           

VII. Liaison Reports

 

A.)    OBR                                                           Charles Shahid

 

No report at this time.

 

B.)    Great Lakes                                                Lee Harrell

 

(Submitted by Tim Hewitt)  Mike Clouse has joined GLHEC with their Outreach area.

 

Training sessions for Ohio will take place the week of March 19

 

C.)    OCAN                                                         Mayme Patthoff                                                

 

Legislative Breakfast

 

OCAN is finalizing plans with OASFAA, OACAC and the TRIO Programs in Ohio to host a legislative breakfast on March 28, 2007. The purpose of the breakfast is to educate the legislators on the work that these associations do to promote higher education in our state.  We are awaiting confirmation that Governor Strickland will speak at the breakfast.  Other speakers confirmed are the Chairs of the House & Senate Education Committees.  A couple of students who have received services from the associations will also be asked to speak.  We are also inviting additional students so that we will have one at every table at the event.  All members of the OASFAA Executive Committee will receive an invitation to the event.  The invitations are being mailed this week.

 

OCAN would like to thank OASFAA for co-sponsoring the event.  Each association is kicking in $1000 which should cover the cost of the event. 

 

Each organization will prepare an information sheet to be included in a packet of materials provided to all attendees.  All groups appear to be very excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively on this project and to have the opportunity to help educate the legislators about our work.

 

If Governor Strickland cannot attend, will plan a press conference at a later date.

 

KnowHow2Go Campaign

 

Much work is underway to launch this national college awareness campaign in Ohio.  It is anticipated that if the Governor speaks at the Legislative Breakfast that he will launch the campaign that morning.  OCAN is in the process of developing web content for the KnowHow2GoOhio web site.  The web site will be targeted at students in grades 8-10 but will contain information for high schools students and adults.

 

College101

 

The winter edition of the magazine was produced just prior to the College Goal Sunday event.  Magazines were shipped to CGS sites for distribution to all who attended.  There was a full page CGS ad and an article in the magazine.  The next edition will be Fall 2007.  If you like the magazine, please speak with your marketing people at your campus about purchasing advertising.  The more ads, the more magazines we can produce and give to high school students and parents.

 

September 16-18 for OCAN Conference at Marriot North.  Governor Strickland has been asked to attend.   

 

Higher Education institutions can now join OCAN.

 

Motion to adjourn meeting by Scott Lehman, seconded by Amanda McPherson.  Meeting adjourned at 1:36 p.m.

 

Next meeting: April 27, 2007