The following activities are conducted by Slippery Rock University's Admissions Office in support of minority recruitment: 

Joint Recruitment:   a series of college fairs and presentations offered in several regions of Pennsylvania for minority students from various high schools.  Slippery Rock University, along with the other State System of Higher Education universities takes an active and leadership role in the joint recruitment activities.  Presentations to these student groups focus on the availability  and criteria for the board of governors awards, the feasibility and affordability of attending a system University, the "how to" of making application for admission and financial aid/scholarships and how best to prepare for the college experience.  Via joint recruitment college fairs, students may easily secure materials about Slippery Rock University and enter our prospective student database.  The office provides appropriate follow-up to these students. 

On-Campus Visits:  each fall and spring approximately 10 to 20 high schools are invited to visit Slippery Rock University's campus and attend informational sessions about academic, social and financial opportunities.  They are matched with current Slippery Rock University minority students and given a guided campus tour and complimentary lunch.  Admissions, Financial Aid and Minority Student Affairs and Cultural Diversity staff members participate in these visitation programs. 

Rock Your Weekend:  was a Friday-to-Sunday program offered in spring 2001 to selected minority students from the Pittsburgh area (various high schools) jointly facilitated by Admissions and Minority Student Affairs and Cultural Diversity.  Approximately 40 students attended this weekend; invitations were sent to minority candidates from the joint recruitment database and Admissions' general prospect file.  Students were paired with "superhosts" (current Slippery Rock University minority students) and attended informational sessions and social activities. The program was evaluated very favorably by the visiting students and garnered approximately 10 applications and at least three matriculated students for the fall 2001 term. 

Community Outreach:  via the Admissions staff, led by the minority recruitment counselor, Slippery Rock University has developed and maintained valuable relationships with community/student/advocate organizations, churches, and state and federal agencies to provide a presence in the minority communities. For groups, Admissions has provided a speaker, promotional and recruitment materials, on campus programming, etc. Quantifying the effect of these activities is difficult, but it is fair to assume that the sum total of our various involvements in outreach has had a positive effect on minority recruitment overall. 

Board of governors awards:  the State System of Higher Education board of governors award process was streamlined in 2000-01 to more promptly respond to qualified minority Slippery Rock University applicants. The process of providing board of governors awards is continuously evaluated to ensure that Slippery Rock University is addressing the scholarship needs of minority applicants.   

Pennsylvania Partnerships:the Admissions Office maintains interest and involvement in the Partnership Programs.  Presentations are routinely made for partnership students from other sites who visit Slippery Rock University as part of their program's agenda. 

Minority students are also recruited through standard high school visits and college fairs. 

Upcoming activities that are new initiatives are:

Opportunity Knocks:  (this spring activity replaces the Rock Your Weekend Program) It will provide a one-night stay on campus for prospective minority students who have been identified via personal contacts through current Slippery Rock University minority students and five selected high schools in the Pittsburgh area.Students will again be paired with current Slippery Rock University minority students and attend informational sessions and social activities. 

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Grant Funds:  Slippery Rock University was awarded $15,000 to conduct recruitment and retention activities for minority students in 2002.  These funds will augment the cost of existing activities (mentioned above) as well as fund new initiatives that include "Project Encouragement," which is designed to pair prospective transfer students with Slippery Rock University faculty mentors to help ease transition difficulties.