Was anything notable presented or asked?
Wasn’t there but saw on the registration pages that 45 folks had signed up.
Here is the report from the Chicago Tribune. All sounds very positive, expecting a growth in enrollment, beginning of dorm renovations and possible sale of Eastgate property. Negative is that the Nursing building wouldn't be expected to be under construction for at least five years.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/21/valparaiso-university-town-hall/
While I certainly hope that enrollment (specifically new Freshmen enrollment) is up, I am dubious about the validity of what was said. Last year, the pace of deposits was very slow because of the FAFSA disaster. Thus, stating that deposits are ahead of last year is (for the most part) misleading.
I want to believe these people, but I just can't. Why don't they just share the numbers - even when recruitment is in progress? That is what many universities (including mine) do.
@vu84v2 I’m more aware of schools waiting to post what their enrollment numbers are until much closer to the beginning of the semester. Similar in state schools (Butler, Evansville, Southern Indiana, etc.) have not announced their expected or current enrollment numbers. There are a few factors why, but mostly because things can change over the course of a few months.
While I certainly hope that enrollment (specifically new Freshmen enrollment) is up, I am dubious about the validity of what was said. Last year, the pace of deposits was very slow because of the FAFSA disaster. Thus, stating that deposits are ahead of last year is (for the most part) misleading.
I want to believe these people, but I just can't. Why don't they just share the numbers - even when recruitment is in progress? That is what many universities (including mine) do.
Because most state schools dont have to worry about students leaving and just eating the deposit. It would be much more disingenuous to give numbers now and, when students inevitably go elsewhere and just eat their deposits, have a different number come move in.
Rez - with all due respect, it is not disingenuous to be honest and then later state the change (from melt or, hopefully, additional enrollees). We announce numbers within the university (which essentially makes them public, because there is no attempt to control who gets the information or how it is used) for applications, visits and deposits regularly starting in February each year - which gets faculty and staff engaged even more to help 'make the number' as May approaches. Ironically, our President announced that we are one student shy of our University Freshmen enrollment goal as of a few weeks ago (where the goal was down slightly from the prior year mostly due to the number of overall students we can accommodate). Everyone realizes that the actual (August) number will vary from that due to melt, late deposits, etc.
Also, most data shows that the vast majority of students stay with the school in which they deposited - even though the amount of deposits is really low relative to the price of college (that really surprised me when I saw it).
At many universities, the Town Hall event has become a messaging control mechanism, not subject to much verification or deeper scrutiny.
I don't know if that has been the experience within the VU community, however, so I guess I just ask those who have been to these things whether they've felt like they're getting the straight assessment on things.
David81 - Depends on the topic, but for student recruiting, enrollment, and retention I would definitely say that the administration conveys accurate and timely information. For some other topics, I do not think the straight assessment is being provided.
@vu84v2 Recruiting, enrollment and retention are biggies. At least there VU is holding serve. Thank you for that insight.
Now……….. This is me just whistling in the wind, so no need to respond. It’s just that I have a very hard time digesting the fact that my alma mater in my day, with over 4,000 undergrads, a stellar regional reputation, and a competitive athletic program, has regressed (or at least has not kept abreast) over time (my window is 60 years) instead of steadily improving and remaining right in the fight to be among the top schools in the midwest. Instead over the past two decades, or maybe longer, it has not seemed to grasp how to succeed in a changing world.
My soul is deeply invested in the hope that our next president can right this deserving ship.
vulb62 - Just to clarify, I am a graduate of Valparaiso but am a professor at another private university. I was referring to how my university communicates data on recruiting, enrollment and retention. I doubt that Valpo maintains that level of transparency and communication.
