By Jeff Mellott, Daily News-Record

Webster Contreras might have been attending college in San Antonio now, but the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ freshman decided to stay close to his home in Harrisonburg.

Maria Monroy, also a freshman, could have left town to go to college. But she decided to remain in the city, where her family lives.

They decided to attend 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, in part, because of a university initiative to attract Hispanics from the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area. The 10 students in the program contributed to a 5.3 percent rise in overall enrollment from one year ago.

Recruitment Initiative

Last spring, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ announced a program designed to bring local Hispanics to the campus by making the $24,000 annual tuition more affordable.

The initiative discounted tuition on a sliding scale, based on the students� expected family contribution as determined by the application for federal student aid. The discount combined with the possibility of federal assistance was expected to make 91¶ÌÊÓƵ�s tuition competitive with state-supported schools.

Those financial considerations played a role in the decision by Monroy, 18, and Contreras, 18, to come to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.

Friendly Surroundings

Financial considerations were only part of the decision-making process for the freshmen.

Monroy, who arrived from Guatemala four years ago, was also impressed by 91¶ÌÊÓƵ�s hospitality. “Everybody greeted me with a smile on their faces, which at other colleges I didn�t get,” she said.

Monroy is the first in her family to go to college and is aware of that she could be a role model for her younger brothers, Heiber, 15; and Erick, 12.

She likes being so close to her family. “I can go home, and I can come back,” she said.

Community Service

Contreras was almost lured away to Texas to go to college at San Antonio. He has relatives there, and he likes the weather.

Contreras, who is studying nursing, said 91¶ÌÊÓƵ�s financial incentive played a role in his decision to stay in Harrisonburg. While still a student, Contreras is called often called upon by others Spanish-speaking people in the community to go with them to the doctor and dentist as a translator.

“I see here in our Spanish community we need help in the medical field,” he said.

Encouraging News

Contreras and Monroy are two of the six Hispanics from the city. Two more Hispanics who enrolled at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ live in Rockingham County, and one each from Augusta County and Albemarle County increased the total to 10. No Hispanics from the local area attended 91¶ÌÊÓƵ one year ago. The university considers the local area to be Harrisonburg and Rockingham County and the counties that adjoin Rockingham.

Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Shirley Yoder is very encouraged by the enrollment of the local Hispanics.

“We had Spanish-speaking persons from other states and other parts of the state,” she said. When 91¶ÌÊÓƵ realized that no local Hispanics attended 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, Yoder said the university knew something was wrong, especially with the growth of that population in the area.

“It�s one thing to be involved in service activities overseas. It�s another,” she said, “to be a service in your own community.”

Enrollment Bump

The group of Hispanic students from the area helped 91¶ÌÊÓƵ increase its overall enrollment from one year ago, which saw a record 406 graduate.

The school has 1,513 students compared to 1,436 students, both full-time and part-time, Yoder said. Of those, 933 are undergraduates.

The campus has 880 full-time undergrads compared to 882 last year.

The overall enrollment includes an increase of first year students, 208 compared to 196 one year ago. This year�s number is a step back toward the 240 first-year students 91¶ÌÊÓƵ enrolled two years ago.

The 10 local Hispanic students also helped 91¶ÌÊÓƵ increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the campus, Yoder said. U.S. minorities make up 21 percent of the freshman class, which Yoder said is a doubling of the previous class.

Contreras said he could recommend 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to his friends.

“They help you learn,” he said of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, “and you also learn spiritually.

91¶ÌÊÓƵ is among 24 schools participating in the eighth annual Virginia Private College Week, July 26-31, sponsored by the (CICV).

High school students who visit four Virginia private colleges during that week will receive application fee waivers redeemable at any three private colleges in CICV. With application fees ranging from $15 to $50, students could save as much as $100.

Last year, CICV colleges reported almost 2,000 visits during Virginia Private College Week 2003, with students and families visiting from 33 states and the District of Columbia.

“We participate in this statewide event because of its appeal to many families,” said Shirley Yoder, vice president for enrollment and marketing at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. “People who may not otherwise come to our campus use this opportunity to discover for themselves our wide range of quality academic programs and friendly atmosphere,” she added.

All full-time students from Virginia attending a CICV institution will be eligible to receive a from the state of Virginia for a maximum of four years at the undergraduate level. The estimated undergraduate award for 2004-2005 is $2,500.

Campus tours during Private College Week include informational sessions on how to apply for admission and financial aid.

Sessions at most colleges will be offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 31 (exceptions are noted on ). Families are encouraged to call the colleges beforehand and make an appointment.

Participants will receive a stamped “passport” at the first college they visit and should have it stamped at each college they visit. Passports with four stamps can be redeemed for three application fee waivers, which can be used at any participating CICV-member college.

CICV was founded in 1971 to promote the interests of nonprofit, independent higher education in Virginia. The Council was also instrumental in starting the state’s Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program.

For more information on Virginia Private College Week, contact the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia at 540-586-0606 or visit . The admissions office at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ can also provide details at (toll-free) at 1-800-368-2665 or e-mail: admiss@emu.edu.