College Board National Assemblies Meet in New York

In December, the College Board’s three national assembly councils met in the New York office. The Academic Assembly Council gathered Dec. 7-8 with Maghan Keita, professor of history and director of the Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Study at Villanova University, residing as chair. Members discussed concerns and successes in their specific regions. Josh Meyers, of the Midwest Region, spoke about the changing role of the regional offices as they become recognizable faces within the College Board. Academic advisers on each subject also provided updates, stressing the continuing importance of professional development in their fields.

Robin O’Callaghan, senior director of test development, briefed the council on technology and equity for the SAT® math section, raising issues related to the use of calculators during testing. The current policy permits the use of most calculators, including those with computer algebra systems. A study is under way to determine what advantages CAS provides students and whether calculator use is fair, given that many students may not have access to this type of device.

College Scholarship Service Assembly Council members William Spires, director of financial aid, Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College, and Ricardo Gonzales, college advisor, Cupeyville School in Puerto Rico

The College Scholarship Service Assembly Council met Dec.
10-11, addressing issues of financial aid and student loans. College Board staff members provided updates on the Enrollment Strategy Project, Adaptive CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® and FASSAC Review of Retirement Wealth, among other topics. 

Guidance and Admission Assembly Council members Mary Hill, co-director of college counseling, St. Paul Academy and Summit School; Lorna Hunter, vice president for enrollment management, Bryant University; and Nanci Tessier, vice president for college marketing and enrollment management, Saint Anselm College

The Guidance and Admission Assembly Council met Dec. 13-14.  Meeting highlights included an update from the SAT department and a Forum 2007 debriefing. Planning for Forum 2008 will take place Nov. 5-8, 2008, in Houston, Texas. Brad Quin, executive director of enrollment operations and support services, spoke about the College Board’s Task Force on Admissions in the 21st Century, an advocacy initiative led by members. Quin said the charge of this task force is “to look at the whole pipeline of not only access and admission, but also college success.”  He also addressed the issue of effective training for admissions counselors and officers. Council members expressed their support for this effort, specifically for the next-generation enrollment staff. College Board President Gaston Caperton spoke at each council meeting, commending members for their dedication and continuing support of the Board’s mission.