University Advancement Planning Goal #1
2002-2004

1. What is a visionary goal that your unit set?

To increase the ethnic diversity among our undergraduate student body.

Many important changes were instituted in the 2002-2004 window, but this continues to be a high priority of the university (ethnic diversity is one of our core values) and the effort to continue to diversify our student body is on-going. Our graduate programs have been very successful at attracting a diverse student body (roughly 38% of the incoming students in 2004-05 were from ethnic minorities) so the focus has been on undergraduate recruitment.

2. What information and data did you use to set this goal?

The data collected by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Institutional Research indicated that we had made modest gains the recruitment of underrepresented populations in our student body but that the level of diversity on the campus was not consistent with our catchment area.

Our Fall 2000 and Fall 2001 recruiting efforts brought in an incoming class that was roughly 14% non-white.

In California people of color make up roughly 41% of the population (2000 US Census data). This percentage is growing in California.

3. What actions did you take to try to reach this goal?

• The University expanded its involvement with a variety of groups and events that are targeted at ethnic minorities. For example, (for a complete list see the appendix).
• In 2002 the University instituted a system of “Diversity Scholarships” (For details see the appendix).
• The Hughes Grant awarded to the University provides and opportunity for a diverse body of high school students to come to the University for classes in biology and writing. It also funds an enrichment program for middle and high school biology teachers. The hope is that in addition to strengthening science education in San Diego County this program will create in interest in PLNU among ethnic students and their teachers.

4. What progress did you make?

• It is clear from the recruitment data in the table below that the University is making progress in this area.
• There need to be further study done to determine which of the strategies being used is the most effective in recruiting students from underrepresented groups.
• The University has restructured its scholarship program. Beginning in the Fall of 2006, there will be more “needs based” scholarships to aid students who come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
  

5. What information and data did you use to evaluate your progress?

University data that showed steady progress. In the Fall of 2005 20% of our new students were diverse.

Supporting Documents :

Table 1.4.1 Undergraduate Admissions by Ethnicity
PLNU Core Values
Table 1.4.2 Freshman Admissions Enrollment by Ethnicity
Table 2.3 Headcount Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
Diversity Initiatives at PLNU
Diversity Scholarships
Hughes Grant Information
Scholarship information for 2006 showing “needs based” scholarships