Advertising and Admissions Practices
Which of the Board's policies regarding advertising and the recruiting of students do you think is most important to caution a new school owner about?
Always be sure to observe admissions representatives on an ongoing basis. Even the best, most seasoned representative can stray and inadvertently say something that could be misconstrued by a prospective student. Observe and inspect and demand ethical behavior at all times.
Make sure moral and ethical principles are known and adhered to by occasionally listening in or perhaps taping an agent who excels so that others can learn.
I think that a new school owner has to stress integrity in all aspects of the admissions process. To do that well they need to listen to a rep's interviews occasionally and if they hear something they don't like they need to discuss it immediately. Inspect what you expect is a motto to remember and use.
You can never over-train! While costly, the costs for poor training can be much worse. I never will accept anything but 100% honesty from my Admissions staff and all staff period. Your word is critical not just to your prospective students, but also to all employees, vendors, and outside entities you deal with. Once lost trust can usually not be gained again.
I think the most important policy is where one can solicit for potential students. That may become a tricky subject.
I have seen advertisements of a four-year graduation guarantee as well, this seems to put school personnel in a position of carrying out unethical behavior
Don't over-promise and keep policies and practices simple, truthful and in-line with identified regulations.
Some of the rules and regulations are very straitforward and easy to understand. Others are a bit more detailed and need to be studied in depth. I found it took more than one reading to fully grasp/understand some of the regulations. I'm sure I'll refer back to them again and again. Good idea to keep them handy.
I believe most of the schools think they are doing things right.I would have never guest there was this many rules and regulations I am learning alot because I am the new Manager at our school I need to get myself updated on all this. But I think most directors are not doing this right because they over look policy, we are all guilty of this, how many of us buy something and skip right over the directions until we have a problem then we really dive into the directions and find out we would have been better off reading them in the first place .
I think the best advice would be not be complacent about anything. A school owner or Campus President is responsible for all recruiting and advertising even if they are not the person directly doing the activity. The best advice I was ever given is inspect what you expect. Check your ads regularly and observe your admissions staff activities often.
I have seen ads by a particular university that guarantees graduation in 4 years. We can't GUARANTEE. Just because someone else is making a claim, don't think you can do the same. Review the dos and don'ts.
Most everyone so far is discussing telling the truth and being forthcoming as most important. I would completely agree. I would take that a step further to caution a new school director on assuming information based on experiences at other schools or in other states. If a school director isn't certain about a rule on advertising or recruiting, they should research the rule on their own or ask questions before assuming that something allowable in the past was still acceptable practice.
Its just plain and simple. All of the rules and regs are important/ and being open and honest goes without saying.
I think they are all important- but being honest and having integrity are essential. I liked the fact that certain sections outlined the admission practices for items that you should NOT do, for example,not guaranteeing certain wages or employment.
I think they are all important- but being honest and having integrity are essential. I liked the fact the sections outlined item that you should NOT do, for example, not guaranteeing certain wages or employment.
I completely agreed with your statement. It is extremely to be truthful, no matter if it risks a potential enrollment, so that the student understands as well as the school understands their own responsibilities.
I completely agree. Being truthful about the programs, classes, and expectations to ensure there are no miscommunications or misunderstandings. Telling the truth, even if it means risking an enrollment is always in the best interest of the student and the school.
I agree. It is helpfull to have the Do Nots defined.
I think they are all important - being truthful is essential, but I found most helpful the sections that outlined the items that you should not do for example, go door-to-door. I think as a new owner you don't think about the grey areas you just are wanting to build enrollment and it's nice to have the not allowable items spelled out in detail.
