The Student Government Association meeting on Jan. 20 began with a special presentation by Boyd Bradshaw, the vice provost of Division of Enrollment Management. Bradshaw reported that domestic admission is ahead this year, with an 11 percent increase in applications and a 13 percent increase in admittance for the incoming fall class.

“We’re seeing a higher caliber of students come in this year,” Jean Gilman, the dean of Undergraduate Admission, said.

About 1,075 students were accepted into the President’s Scholar Program, 200 more than last year.

“This year’s freshman class is retaining at a 95 percent rate going into the spring semester,” Bradshaw said. “We didn’t expect that; with the increase in the cost of education, what SLU did is remarkable.”

The emergency scholarship fund contributed to this retention rate. Around 200-300 students have been helped, and there is money leftover that can help even more.

“If you know of any students who are struggling, send them over to our office,” Bradshaw said.

When the floor was opened to questions, several Senators expressed concern about the admission numbers and retention of students of color.

“Is [the number] increasing? Decreasing? Staying steady? What are we doing to retain students of color?” Senator of Philosophy and Letters Lorenzo Herman asked.

Bradshaw reported the number is steadily increasing, while new programs were created to maintain it.

Questions were posed about retention rates of other groups. Undecided students have the highest, while pre-med is behind. Bradshaw stated that all areas have at least an 84 percent retention rate. Retention of transfer students remains below 60 percent, while ESL students successfully send 92 percent of their students onto other programs at SLU.

First Year Senator Chris Ackels asked if scholarship would be increased, with the increase in tuition.

“Eventually we will get to a point when we need to look at that,” Bradshaw said. “No increase is planned. We will increase need-based scholarship, so those most in need will benefit.”

“What’s the biggest problem in admissions?” College of Arts and Sciences Senator Colin Shevlin asked.

“The price tag,” Gilman said. Gilman also admitted to worrying about SLU’s ranking in the U.S. News and World Report College report. Though the University is a top-100 school, it has slipped in the rankings.

SGA addressed a bill proposed by John Cook School of Business Senator Samantha Morr to amend the association’s bylaws. The bill passed with a unanimous “yes” from the entire Senate before focus was turned toward the discussion of the wellness fee.