Enrollment Services
Fall 2015 saw the largest entering new class in Eastern Washington University’s history with the largest ever freshman class and the third largest transfer class. 1,711 new freshman (up by 113 students, or 7.1%, from fall 2014) and 1,296 transfer students joined the Eagle family this fall. When adding in former students returning, EWU welcomed 3,207 new students, which was larger by 69 students (2.2%) than fall 2014.
| 2014 | 2015 | Difference | |
| Freshmen | 1,598 | 1,711 | 7.1% |
| Transfer | 1,324 | 1,296 | -2.3% |
| All New Students | 3,138 | 3,207 | 2.2% |
The regional transfer market continues five years of enrollment decline. EWU is expanding transfer recruitment to broaden market share. To this end, additional recruiters have been assigned to focus on transfer recruitment, in the Spokane region and the central part of the state.
Some interesting characteristics of EWU’s freshman class:
- 91% come from Washington
- Average GPA from high school was 3.21 (fall 2014 was 3.23)
- Average SAT was 969, which continues a two year trend of declining SAT scores (Fall 2014 was 980)
- 34% of the 2015 freshmen class identified with ethnic groups other than white, which is a 2% increase from new freshmen in fall 2014
| 2014 | 2015 | |||||
| Total Freshmen | % of Class | Total | % of Class | Change in Total from 2014 | Change in Percentage from 2014 | |
| International | 13 | 0.8% | 28 | 1.6% | 15 | 0.8% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 249 | 15.6% | 277 | 16.2% | 28 | 0.6% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 21 | 1.3% | 15 | 0.9% | -6 | -0.4% |
| Asian | 33 | 2.1% | 61 | 3.6% | 28 | 1.5% |
| Black or African American | 73 | 4.6% | 60 | 3.5% | -13 | -1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 12 | 0.8% | 11 | 0.6% | -1 | -0.1% |
| White | 1069 | 66.9% | 1119 | 65.4% | 50 | -1.5% |
| Two or more races | 110 | 6.9% | 136 | 7.9% | 26 | 1.1% |
| Unknown | 18 | 1.1% | 4 | 0.2% | -14 | -0.9% |
A number of improvements contributed to the successful enrollment effort this year:
CRM: This was the first recruitment cycle with a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system. With the fully operational CRM, EWU was able to send over 750,000 communications (electronic, print, and telephone calls) to approximately 80,000 prospective students (the 80,000 students is a combination of high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, transfer students, and international students).
Predictive Modeling: The 2015 cycle was also the first time EWU employed a predictive model to help gauge the relative level of probability of an applicant enrolling. By using the characteristics of the 2014 enrolled students, EWU applied a probability score to the 2015 applicants and targeted messaging accordingly.
New Scholarship Management System: EWU also improved administration of scholarship awards this year, enabling the scholarship committee to manage applications in an online venue and enhancing our turnaround time and responsiveness to students. EWU received 3,191 scholarship applications, up from 2,314 in 2014 (a 38% increase).
Early awarding of Financial Aid: EWU moved up the awarding of financial aid to new students from June/July in previous years to March of this year. Knowing the estimated financial aid as early as possible in the college choice decision is vital to a student’s decision. EWU also increased our messaging to prospective students about the availability of financial aid through the CRM. By the priority deadline of February 15, 1015, EWU received 12,196 FAFSA’s (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), up from 10,964 the prior year (a 11.2% increase).
Increased Branding of Academics: EWU substantially increased messaging about the quality of the academic programs. Recruitment materials (brochures, flyers, web, electronic messaging) were revised to focus on academics. Each Dean also provided a letter to prospective students interested in their respective programs. Additionally, pictures of faculty interacting with students and students engaged in academic research are more prominently displayed in recruitment publications and on the web.
Diversity Outreach: EWU has worked very hard to diversify the recruiting staff, including individuals who are bilingual and who have experience working with diverse students. Increased diversity recruitment events and visibility within the community have been part of the Admissions team strategy.
High School and College Fair Visits: EWU now applies a source code to new students that tracks where the student had a first point of contact with Admissions. Through the CRM, EWU identifies the more successful high schools and college fairs and spends more time visiting the higher yield fairs and high schools. This allows for EWU to prioritize events and visits and more wisely expend resources in areas that will most benefit EWU.
Transfer: In response to the declining regional transfer market, EWU is creating partnerships with community college institutions beyond the Spokane area. Partnerships are being created with Walla Walla Community College, Columbia Basin College, Green River Community College, and North Idaho College. At the same time, EWU is strengthening our relationships with Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College through reverse transfer agreements as well as data sharing agreements allowing EWU to promote transfer. A project underway with the State Board of Technical and Community Colleges will allow EWU to market the reverse transfer program more seamlessly with all state community colleges
Student Life
Approximately 1,400 students participated in EWU Welcome Week programs, up 5% from the previous year. 1,375 students attended Convocation, up 53% from the previous year. We are thrilled that this tradition on campus is blossoming into such a meaningful event
Campus Recreation: EPIC Adventures has hosted more than 225 students on a variety of weekend and day trips since the start of the year, including such activities as bouldering, mountain biking, backpacking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, and fishing. Club Sports has an active fall roster of 32 clubs with an estimated 600 participants. Thus far, attendance for Club Sports events has reached more than 2,800, with hockey leading the way during its first two weekend series—nearly 1,200 spectators! Intramural Sports fall team entries have topped last year’s numbers, already reaching the 800-mark (and more signing up each day). Notably, the EWU-Spokane campus is “representing” with seven teams!
EWU Spokane opened the quarter with WelcomeFest on Sept. 23 and featured campus resources, Rockwood Health Clinic and academic departments. The event attracted an estimated 390 attendees. Beginning fall quarter, Student Affairs partnered with the University of Washington WWAMI program to provide support services to their medical students.
In partnership with Rockwood Clinic, Health, Wellness and Prevention Services (HWPS) hosted three flu shot clinics—two in Cheney and one in Spokane—through which more than 600 students received influenza immunizations. At our October City University Partnership for Student Safety (CUPS) meeting, EWU and City of Cheney representatives reviewed our annual National College Health Assessment survey data (which compares EWU students to our peers across the country) and reviewed approaches we’re currently employing to minimize safety concerns related to alcohol. We also discussed future strategies we plan to pursue, including obtaining “last drink” information (for students who receive MIP and DUI citations), as well as working with local bar owners to promote the warning signs of alcohol poisoning and free drinks for designated drivers.
Student Services
Veterans Resource Center: The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides an incredible opportunity for our student veterans to complete their degrees at Eastern – in Academic Year 2014-15 (through Summer Quarter) this provided $2,746,978 in tuition and fees to EWU in support of our student veterans. Chris Bateman was awarded the Randy Van Turner Scholarship this year. Chris is currently a senior majoring in biochemistry and biotechnologies, with a 3.73 cumulative GPA. He is a U.S. Navy submarine veteran, who served aboard the USS Memphis (SSN 691) as a submarine Electronics Technician First Class and nuclear reactor operator.
The fall has been very busy for Career Services, hosting several fairs: internships/volunteer opportunities fair, Computing, Engineering and Construction Management fair (featuring high visibility corporate opportunities with companies including Boeing, Garco, Itron), Graduate School fair, and a robust Accounting recruiting event. Also launched for the first time, was the “Monthly Majors Meetup”. The Majors Meetup focuses on specific majors and incorporates faculty and alumni to help students develop an academic identity and strategies for success. October’s Majors Meetup focused on nursing, one of the popular fields listed by freshmen that also has limited seats. Learning what it takes to be successful could help these students either do well or make alternative career decisions in a timelier manner.
