2016_SUNY_Optometry_PRR

the position of Director of Minority Recruitment and Enrichment; and in recent years expanded student support services with the creation of the College’s Career Development Center. The SUNY system has increased its investment in increasing the representation of minorities among the student body state ‐ wide. The Board of Trustees recently passed a resolution requiring that each campus appoint a chief diversity offer to enhance campus efforts and coordinate on a state ‐ wide basis. Career Development Center/Student Engagement: This has been a strategic priority for the College, and the Career Development Center (CDC) was in the planning stages at the time of the last MSCHE visit. The Center opened shortly thereafter and serves as the framework of all co ‐ curricular programming and student engagement. The CDC has also been central to our efforts to ensure students are informed about developments in health care as they consider their future career path. Over the past five years, the annual Student Exit Survey has shown rapid increases in satisfaction with co ‐ curricular College ‐ related activities (82%, up from 50%) and career planning services (80%, up from 30%). Overall student satisfaction with the quality of the education at SUNY Optometry has held steady at over 90%. Tuition, Debt & Financial Literacy: Recent years have seen the cost of health professions education shifted from the states to students, and as a state ‐ supported institution that has experienced no recent increase in state support we have been unable to avoid this trend. Over the past five years, the annual resident tuition for the OD degree has increased from $ 17,380 to $26,250, (51%). Even with the increase, the current tuition level is slightly below the national average of public university programs and significantly below the independent sector. This increase was universal among SUNY health professions programs state ‐ wide. Student default rate on federal student loans couldn’t be lower than it is currently: 0%. Nonetheless, we recognize that student debt will continue to increase and could negatively impact recruitment and perceived career options. Continuing to offer a high quality program taught by distinguished faculty that provides a rich clinical care experience and intellectually engaging research environment provides the foundation for assuring that we can attract, recruit and enroll well qualified students. However, we have also been proactive in putting in place additional programs to maintain as near as possible our current success in this area. Specific examples include:  The College fully participates in SUNY Smart Track program for financial literacy.  The Career Development Center that was described above provides financial management courses for both personal and professional development.  We initiated an advanced graduate certificate and MBA programs in optometric business management.  Clinical externship rotations have been developed in practice settings located throughout the State, which provide possible postgraduate employment opportunities  The required coursework that covers business aspects of optometric practice and the health care delivery system has been upgraded  Elective coursework in personal financial planning for the new optometrist is offered to third ‐ year students

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