The Griffin: volume 56, issue 18 - Mar. 7, 1986

              FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986 TAP Lobbyists Optimistic After Albany Trip VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 18 Rev. Edmund G. Ryan, S.J., executive vice president for academic affairs, gives Julie Clark '88 and other student lobbyists last minute advice before they spoke to legislators on Tuesday morning. Photo by JIM GRECO 'This attempt was met with success," continued O'Connor. "Every legislator that I saw was positive." islators will think no one cares." The positive reaction was typical of the legislators' response to the student delegation. Bob O'Connor '87 commented, "I wanted to be able to use effective arguments in order to convince our legislators that a raise in TAP was necessary." He urged the letter writing to continue, saying "if nothing is said by the constituents, the leg- tions open to all students. "I wish I had a crystal ball," remarked Schimminger when asked to comment on the success of the bill in the assembly. "It is entirely possible that TAP will be passed," said Schimminger. He has received positive feedback from fellow assemblymen and calls this "good news." in your favor." Providing students with a "fair shake to attend private schools is important to Schimminger. The increase in the money appropriated in the bill would ensure the right of choice to students, he feels. Citing the fact that many of the current legislators attended private institutions, Schimminger said that many are sensitive to the need of keeping the option of private versus public institu- "Legislators vote because of persons rather than issues," said Ryan. Assemblyman Robin Schimminger urged students to "keep doing what you're doing," regarding the ietter writing campaign and continue to One of Fr. Ryan's goals for the trip was to "allow Canisius students to present their own case for the adoption of the TAP bill by the Senate and Assembly."by Kristen Germain ALBANY — A delegation of 22 Canisius students traveled to Albany this week to lobby the New York State Legislature for increases in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). "The chances for an increase in the TAP legislation are very high, possibly 80-90 percent," said Rev. Edmund G. Ryan, S.J., executive vice president for academic affairs and coordinator of the lobbying effort. The bill calls for a $500 increase in the maximum TAP award from $2700 to $3200 and a $50 rise in the minimum award to $350. The legislation includes an increase in the maximum income eligibility from $29,000 to $33,000. The total cost of the bill is $78 million. Regarding the lobbying campaign, Sheffer remarked that the efforts are "very sound — you are doing the right things to maximize the factors "Six months ago the chances would be one in four, but now they are hopefully greater," remarked Sheffer. "Because of the public's response to the bill, most notably the letters, the chances of success have improved."'There are many factors that will make the bill possible," according to Assemblyman John B. Sheffer Jr. 'This was very heartening to those of us lobbying," said Kohler. "Everyone in the legislation wants to be friendly to you and your concerns. They want to be re-elected," he said. Doug Kohler '88, who talked with Senator Kenneth R laValle, sponsor of the TAP bill in the Senate, was told by the senator that there was a very good chance of getting the bill passed. give their attention and commitment to the bill. One of the reasons Ryan is confident that there will be an increase is the fact that it is an election year. Admissions Enlists Volunteers to Aid Recruitment Efforts by Cathy Harrington In an attempt to combat a decline in the number of traditional students entering college, Canisius has developed a special program called Volunteers in Support of Enrollment (VISE). Its goal is to attempt to increase the number of students at Canisius in the future. According to recent studies, the Western New York region will experience a major decrease in the number of traditional students over the next 10 years. Earlier this year, Pene- VISE is an attempt to accomplish this. Under the leadership of Dennis R. DePerro, assistant director for admission volunteer programs, VISE has kicked off its campaign. lope H. Lips, director of admissions, said that there were 52 fewer freshmen at Canisius this year over last and a 13.9 percent drop in the pool of graduating high school seniors. DePerro stated, "We have already sent mailers to alumni in certain areas and are awaiting the replies. Over the summer we will begin to train the volunteers here at the college and next fall they will begin to contact prospective students." Some of the duties the volunteers will perform include phoning and interviewing prospective students, hosting receptions, and offering specialized meetings. Last spring, Canisius hired an admissions consultant to offer suggestions on how to strengthen its enrollment. Jack McGuire, a representative of Enrollment Management Consultants and former director of admissions at Boston College, made several recommendations. The primary suggestion was to have alumni, parents and students work together to encourage prospective students about the possibility of attending Canisius. The main objectives are to increase the pool of qualified applicants and the number of students who actually enroll. It will also offer outof-town students the chance to become more familiar with Canisius. 'The volunteers will also encourage students to apply and convince those students who were accepted to actually enroll at Canisius." Since there are many places to recruit from, DePerro decided to limit VISE to eight target regions until the program gets established. These regions, which are outside the Buffalo area are: Albany, Binghamton, Long Island, Metropolitan New York City, Rochester, Syracuse-Utica, southern tier areas including Jamestown and New Jersey. VISE will not immediately recruit from nearby Ohio or Pennsylvania, according to DePerro. DePerro said, "We are trying to further develop the markets we already successfully recruit from. Then we can expand geographically into other markets." According to DePerro, "We want to matchup students with alumni in their career choice. For example a pre-med major would talk to a physician. Dennis DePerro of the admissions department discusses the VISE program with Mary Van Wie '88. Photo /»> beth hixji "We want to offer prospective students a more personal touch," said DePerro. VISE consists of a three-phase plan. The first phase is to involve alumni. The second and third phases are designed to involve parents and students respectively. Phase 1 has recently been put into effect. ra) THE GRIFFIN Serving The College Community / * jjr * JS ■■Fp ' M HHHHH w Hs^RhNK ■HB gMp™«MB . M*—»• JM—