MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

that will be used to measure the success of graduate admissions at various points in the enrollment funnel throughout the year. The registrar is responsible for maintaining all student records and files including grades and transcripts and submitting all University and governmental reports dealing with student census. All requests for grades and transcripts, once approved by the student, are under her confidential control for dissemination as approved. Working with the department chairs and the vice president for academic affairs, the registrar develops the schedule of course offerings and creates the College calendar. All classroom reservations must be approved by the registrar. The registrar is an ad hoc member of the Curriculum Committee and the Committee on Course and Standing. The director of financial aid (who also holds the title of assistant vice president for student affairs) is responsible for advising and assisting students seeking financial aid, including loans, scholarship, grants and work study. He provides students all necessary information and forms for submission for financial aid and submits all appropriate information and reports to lending institutions and governmental agencies. The director of financial aid is an ad hoc member of the Committee on Scholarships and assists that committee in developing guidelines for the distribution of awards. The Office of Student Affairs is often the first place students turn to with questions regarding the College’s academic programs and policies. 95% of respondents (2010 Professional Student Survey)

strongly agree or agree that “My questions are answered in a timely fashion by the staff of the Student Affairs Office.”

6.4.1 Student services include financial aid and debt counseling, academic counseling, learning support services, career placement assistance, and access to information technology support. Financial Aid and Debt Counseling On the days that prospective students are interviewed at SUNY Optometry, each applicant is provided with information on housing and financial aid programs, as well as the process for applying for federal financial aid (please see brochure in Appendix E-12). As part of this initial session, students receive information about student loan debt and learn how the budgeting choices they make now will influence the amount of debt they carry upon graduation. Students are counseled

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