The enrollment management initiative will have a major impact on UWM in the near future. The goal of ensuring a campus climate that is inviting and welcoming for all students has inspired a review of all advising, mentoring, and support systems. Based on the work of the subcommittees, recommendations are expected to include some of the following highlights:

The committee continues to review data on student performance based on characteristics of incoming freshmen. Discussion includes whether a minimum ACT should be required for “standard” admissions.

There is also considerable discussion of using placement information, especially remedial placements, to better direct students to services and/or restricted options to enable these students to complete their remedial work and attain college level skills. It is envisioned that several options for remedial students will be developed, including:

Option 1: Multiple Points of Entry/Access Subcommittee
The subcommittee is exploring the development of a joint transition/dual admission program that would prepare marginally prepared students for greater potential for success either at UWM in a baccalaureate degree program or at MATC in an associate degree program. This program would be a pilot approach; the subcommittee envisions that other options would also be available to students on the UWM campus. Other options being explored with MATC that are not focused on remedial students are pre-UWM program tracks in such areas as pre-engineering, pre-health care professions, and pre-business.

Option 2: Bridge Program Subcommittee
The group is considering recommending that students tentatively admitted to UWM for the fall semester who have tested into Math 090/095 and English 090/095 and who do not meet standard admission criteria successfully complete a summer program prior to being admitted. Students who meet standard admission criteria but who place in both remedial math and English would have the option of completing the bridge program in the summer or restricting their first fall semester to concentrate on math and/or English. Students who place in either remedial math or English may enroll in the summer bridge session as appropriate. Two types of bridge programs are envisioned: one that includes the actual math and English remedial courses; and one that focuses on critical skills to prepare students to either take the course in the fall and/or to retake the placement tests.

Option 3: Revised Math Remedial Curriculum
Discussions have begun regarding revising the teaching of Math 090 and Math 095 to better enable students—and perhaps require students—to focus on attaining math proficiency prior to pursuing college level courses. It might be a goal to provide programs that would enable entering students placing at remedial math levels to attain college level placement in math by the beginning of the first spring semester.