2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

information is underreported since many systems do not have accurate counts on where teachers
were prepared. Bowie’s teacher education program has a 98% Praxis II pass rate (Objective 2.2).
Objective 3.1 – Increase the yield rate of applicants who enroll from 43% in 2004 to 50% in FY
2009.
The university’s yield rate in FY 2008 was 43%, down from 49% the previous year and
at its lowest point in the last four years.
BSU Response
As MHEC noted, Bowie State University’s yield rage in FY 2009 was 42%, down from
49% the 2 years prior. The University has implemented a number of initiatives to enhance the
institutional yield rate in the future (Objective 3.1). The most significant was the hiring of a
Director of Admissions in March 2009. For the past 4 years, the duties of the Director of
Admissions were handled by the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. The new
director, who brings over ten years of managerial experience to the office, will be able to devote
100% of his attention to managing the day-to-day operation of the admission office.
In addition, BSU is increasing and enhancing its utilization of technology to address the
University yield rate. This includes the full implementation of our automated application that
loads into PeopleSoft thereby increasing our communication with prospective students and
applicants and expediting our admissions decisions and the enhancement and expanded
marketing of our software modules with Education Dynamics to increase our student
engagement rate to applicants and admitted students.
A number of programmatic changes have occurred as well. The University has expanded
the Summer Bridge Program for summer 2009, with over 150 students enrolled as compared to
50 for the summer 2008. The yield rate from this program has averaged over 80% and will have
a positive impact on our overall yield. However, continuing budget cuts may force elimination
of this program. In addition, the placement testing, orientation and registration programs for the
summer have collaborated and coordinated their effort resulting in a more efficient and effective
process for enrollment of new students, while Residence Life has initiated a new lottery system
which will increase availability of on-campus housing for new students.
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