Brenau: the way it should be.

I have developed a very brief outline of the conversations that took place at the Brunch on July 19, 2008.  We met from 11am to about 3:30pm so we talked A LOT! This is really just touching on the general outcome of the most relevant issues.  If you were there and want to post your own outlines or add/correct anything below please do!!

 

Up front, I want to thank all of the Brenau administrators and staff who took time out of their Saturday to attend this Brunch. And a HUGE thanks to the Women’s College graduates who were able to make it!! Each of you really MADE it aan open and honest exchange of ideas and concerns.

 

 

Brunch Topics Outline

 

Admissions- We bounced around the idea of adding essays to the application process and that was quickly nixed due to concerns that the applicants would not complete their own and the problem with not having enough staff to wade through them. However, we naturally progressed to the possibility of establishing an interview round.  Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about this idea and Christina White, Director of Admissions, will start making investigations into the logistics of putting this into practice.  Naturally, we all understand this can’t be enacted over night and are looking forward to receiving more information on the progress.  Christina is 100% committed to finding the right fit for students and we all have the greatest confidence in her abilities!  No worries with her at the helm. 

 

We also discussed recruiting incoming classes and the methods utilized.  The idea was introduced of establishing more on-campus visits for potential students as Scholarship Weekend is no longer in effect (with rolling admissions, this became impossible to make relevant).  Interesting statistic revealed: 80% of those who attended Winter Weekend enroll in classes.  It was asked what percentage of that 80% actually completed their education at Brenau.  Those numbers were not known, but might be tracked in the future. 

 

Retention- Retention is a huge concern for the Student Affairs office and they are constantly making changes to accommodate the new generations.  The big idea that Melissa Gardner Edge, Director of Alumni Relations, is now exploring is establishing an alumna mentor program.  This would match incoming freshman to a Women’s College alumna to encourage the new students to break out of their dorm rooms, explore what Brenau has to offer, to pass down the love of the Traditions, to give a sense of perspective, and to help the young women see someone just like them thriving outside the Brenau Bubble and better for the experiences gained while enrolled at Brenau.  I am REALLY excited about this idea!

 

Going Co-ed- While adding men to the day classes (i.e. the Women’s College) was stated or inferred in three separate places in the 2025 plans that Dr. Schrader provided, he stated emphatically that the Women’s College would remain just that for as long as he was president.  He actually got forceful.  Later he pointed out that the 2025 plans were drafts, and subject to changes and that the aforementioned statements will need to be reworded to reflect his position.  The point of view that the real concern was the “trickle down effect” of the Evening Weekend and Online College would blur the line between the different colleges and that the Women’s College would lose her identity altogether.  He stated the from a business point of view and the opinion Board of Trusties, co-ed is the economical way to go, but so long as he was president, there will always be a Women’s College and that we better make sure that the next president feels the same way.

 

Campus Crime- This was briefly discussed, Dr. Schrader is looking into the statistics over the past few years to see if there was indeed an increase in activity or if there is just more communication about incidences.  He did tell us that Brenau just hired a brand new Head of Security who is extremely qualified in criminal justice and dispute resolution.  It was discussed that Campus Security should conduct a program of sorts for new students on the art of resolving problems and differences in a constructive way.  She (yep, she!) will be a tremendous asset to the campus.

 

Greek Housing- Well, it IS happening, although we were told the Brownstone idea was not 100% certain.  The plan would require participating Chapters to contribute significantly to the project in order to “buy in” if you will.  Each sorority is discussing the pros and cons on their own, however…. Here are some of the major points that were discussed: the size has not yet been determined- could be anywhere from 15-23 beds in each house.  Each Chapter would be allowed to divide the space and create floor plans in their own way.  I don’t think there was ever a definitive answer if that extended to every floor of the individual housing units or just the ground floor.  I’m sure the advisors of each Chapter will have all the details on that.  There are cosmetic features on the exterior of the brownstones that will be customizable to each Chapter’s tastes.  It was asked how Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha would be taken into account with the new Greek Housing Initiative, Dr. Schrader didn’t have a definitive answer but did say there was a possibility of building them in the same style, different scale.

 

The REALLY good news about the new Sorority Circle: they are planning on bringing back the sunken gardens!  How cool will that be?!  I have a promise from Debbie Thompson that the Sundial and other special monuments in that area will be taken care of in good order, so no fear.  The Tri Delt Gazebo will remain in place.

 

Personally, I have resigned myself to this happening.  It’s a done deal that at least 4 houses are coming down, and half of another.  However, I would feel better if the new housing plan called for separate houses, close together but completely architecturally unique.  Here’s hoping that something will develop on that front with the sorority advisors and the administration.

 

Student Housing- There are plans for the renovation of the residence halls as well.  The halls in historical buildings will be refurbished with the unique qualities maintained.  Hooray!  There is hope that even the features that were concealed during previous updates will be revealed and highlighted.

 

 

Other Items

 

Centennial Circle- Front Lawn

“The World” is being moved!! Yes, ladies, the giant white art sculpture on front campus is going to be cleaned and relocated to the new Nursing Building on the Brenau East Campus! Word is that a beautiful gazebo-like marble structure, in a style matching the front campus buildings, with each of the Portals of Learning engraved on the upper portion will be erected in its place. Debbie Thompson is so excited about this that she and the Student Services staff are creating a specific tradition for it involving incoming classes. 

 

Study Abroad Program

There are some great international programs currently in progress, the fashion merchandising department is collaborating with two Chinese universities on creating a clothing line for all four seasons.  These types of programs are becoming more readily available to every major, though it was not said they would be mandatory for graduation.

 

Dean Hellen Ray

It was confirmed that she is retiring in December of 2008.  Dean Ray has always been a true and loyal friend to the Women’s College.  Her departure from Brenau is a blow and she will be sorely missed.