Division of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management 1000 Seventeenth Avenue N.

Nashville, Tennessee 37208-3051

phone 615.329.8597 fax 615.329.8714

www.fisk.edu

T u e sd a y, J u ne 0 5 , 2 0 1 2

Dear Class of 2016, Welcome to Fisk University! As the Fall 2012 semester nears its beginning, I write to share several important information items. First, please note that New Student & Parent Orientation begin on Saturday, August 11, 2012. On Saturday, August 11th and Sunday, August 12th, we require all students & parents to attend the designated sessions for Student and Parent Orientation. During Orientation, we look forward to answering any questions you may have regarding preparation for success as a Fisk University student. New Student & Parent Orientation is the beginning of your transition to college and includes the Presidents Welcome Reception, Course Registration, and evening & weekend programs planned by your Student Orientation Leaders. Other important New Student & Parent Orientation sessions include: Residence Hall Check-In Meet Fisk Academic Schools and Units Placement Tests (Mandatory for all Students) Campus Life and Student Engagement Financing the Fisk Education Learn Your Learning Style Banner Web Training Academic Advisement Community Service and Outreach Opportunities Athletics Information Session Visiting Fisk Universitys Carl Van Vechten & Aaron Douglas Galleries When you begin your college career at Fisk, The Division of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management provides student services, social & educational programs, and activities that are consistent with the Universitys tagline, Cultivating Scholars and Leaders One by One. The Universitys values of Diversity, Excellence, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Leadership and Service set the standard for the operation of each area in the Division. The Divisions goal is to promote an environment where students can exhibit a passion for learning, personal growth and development of character, while shaping campus life around the principles of service, ethical leadership and engagement in our local and global communities. The work of our unit is to provide the planned and purposeful shaping of each Fisk students campus experience. Our unit produces many meaningful outcomes and student success stories such as: Fisks students have studied abroad in Ghana, Spain, Costa Rica & China in the last year; Overall GPA for elected Student Government officers is 3.41, increased from 3.38 last year; 17.7% of Fisks campus population has an internship, which is above the national average. The National Association of College Employment reports that the national average for internship placement on college campuses is 9%; Fisks 2011 Homecoming featured platinum recording artist Jeremih;

Letter to the Class of 2016 - P.2. 84% of students who utilized tutoring services four or more times earning an A or B in final course grade from 2010-present; This years Class of 2012 valedictorian and salutatorian are both international students from Jamaica (Marcella Riley) and Nigeria (Tolani Olonisakin); Campus programming increased by 23.1% in 2011-2012 over the prior year; and Greek Letter Organizations and other student clubs and organizations conducted over 8600 documented hours of community service last year, up from 5000 hours completed on average annually prior to 2010. Please remember that a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year for scholarship consideration and renewal. If you have not yet added Fisk to your FAFSA, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and add Fisk using school code 003490. Adding Fisk to your FAFSA will assist you and your family by providing a clear picture of your financial aid award package prior to the beginning of the school year. This eases the process of registration and financial clearance so that you may focus on your coursework and leadership activities when classes begin this Fall. Again, please remember that adding Fisk to your FAFSA allows us to generate a complete award letter (with items such as state or Pell Grants) in addition to any scholarship offers to explain your financial picture. I look forward to your arrival this fall, and I am excited to serve you and your family when you arrive to join the Fisk University Family on Saturday, August 11, 2012. Sincerely Yours,

Jason L. Meriwether
Jason L. Meriwether, Vice President of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management Fisk University 1000 17th Avenue N. Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 329-8597 office (615) 329-8714 fax jmeriwether@fisk.edu