The University of Illinois and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) serve Illinois and its citizens in many different ways, through many different stakeholder partnerships. Through these periodic communications, College of ACES Dean Robert "Bob" Hauser hopes to convey the importance and mutual value of these interdependent relationships. Your feedback will be much appreciated.
Friends:
While new-student enrollment in ACES is slightly up this year, the more significant trend involves the composition of incoming freshmen compared with transfers. In August 2011, about 435 students enrolled in ACES directly out of high school, while about 168 new students came in as transfers, most from community colleges. These enrollment figures reflect a general trend downward in the number of freshmen coming into ACES and a general trend upward in the number of transfers.
These trends reflect the quality and breadth of education available at community colleges, coupled with a significant increase in tuition at the University of Illinois. As described in the last issue of Illinois for ILLINOIS. the dramatic drop in state support during the past 10 years has been offset by tuition revenue. The new balance between tuition and state support has led to two major initiatives in the College of ACES.
First, we are now working very closely with community colleges throughout the state to develop understandings and agreements about what it takes for a successful transfer into ACES. The resulting written agreements with community colleges offer students a clear path into our College by defining courses and performance expectations. Admission agreements have been formalized with 10 community colleges; four will be completed soon; and we hope to have at least three more in place by the end of the year.
The second initiative is aimed at lowering the cost of attendance through scholarship and fellowship awards. Thanks to the generosity of private citizens and corporate support, the College awards nearly $2 million each year in scholarships to undergraduate students, benefitting more than 400 individuals. In addition, more than $500,000 is awarded each year in graduate fellowships, but our goal is provide much more support to the undergraduates who want access into the state's flagship university.
As indicated by a large increase in applications from high school students this fall for August 2012 admission, the demand for our programs is exceptionally high. We have asked our Advancement Office to help make that U of I dream possible by placing scholarships at the top of their priority list when exploring gift opportunities. So . . . when you get that call, remember the cause. We can't control the State's persistent decline in support, but through your support we can help students hold their costs down.
While we try to keep expenses manageable, we also like to point to the tremendous "returns" of investing in tuition at the University of Illinois. Our graduates earn hundreds of thousands more in lifetime income than those graduating from similar programs - even after accounting for the differences in tuition. Our students have an exceptionally high graduation rate while graduating "on time." And most importantly, job market and graduate school opportunities abound. A Wall Street Journal survey of 479 of the largest public and private employers, who collectively hired more than 43,000 graduates, made that point clear last year: the results showed that the University of Illinois is the third most popular campus nationwide among employers for hiring the best prepared students who are most able to succeed.
In closing, we are very happy with new programs that help community college students find an academic home in ACES, with the increased interest in our majors by students at both high school and community college levels, and with the opportunities facing our students at graduation time. We now need to do everything we can - with your help - to open these exciting doors for those who need financial help.
Happy Holidays,
Robert J. Hauser
Dean, College of ACES
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Strengthen your support of the College of ACES and the University of Illinois by joining Illinois Connection, a grassroots advocacy network for the University of Illinois. Through this initiative, alumni, students, faculty, and friends serve as advocates for the University to ensure support from the state and federal government. To learn more about Illinois Connection, visit www.ic.uillinois.edu.