Bona's unveils Early Deposit Program for fall 2010 semester

Incoming St. Bonaventure University freshmen and transfer students now have the opportunity to start their Bonaventure career before the first day of class. The admissions board, with collaboration from technology services, registrar's office and student life, introduced the Early Deposit Program (EDP) this year as an option for students who want to take advantage of the school's services before the 2010 fall semester, said Emily Sinsabaugh, vice president for University Relations.

With a $200 deposit by March 26, the EDP provides students with their sbu.edu e-mail address for immediate use and an early introduction to their advisers.

"We created it this year as a means of enabling our admitted students to become a part of the St. Bonaventure family right now," Sinsabaugh said.

The EDP also provides an academic schedule prior to orientation, the ability to use Bonaventure facilities like the Friedsam Memorial Library and the Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center and pre-registration for housing preferences.

According to Tom Iwankow, the associate director of admissions and transfer coordinator, the EDP also provides a clear picture about what type and how many students are coming to Bonaventure prior to May 1, the university's enrollment deadline.

"These people said, 'You're my top choice. Here's my deposit. I'm going to come here,'" he said. "Now we know that these are the students we can give an extra, personal touch so that they stay coming here."

Patrick Vecchio, a lecturer of journalism and mass communication, said the personal touch Iwankow refers to is what makes Bonaventure and the EDP unique.

"The interaction will show the student who we are and what we do," Vecchio said, who is also a faculty adviser to some EDP students. "It'll give the student an idea of what the flavor of the university is, so to speak. I think one of the things we do here as a university that makes us special is we establish those personal relationships with students."

However, the EDP is not exclusive to Bonaventure.

Sinsabaugh said Carol Vescak, an enrollment management and marketing communications consultant for Bonaventure, saw that other universities have offered similar programs with favorable results and suggested it to Bonaventure.

"I think in the end we're hoping to have a positive effect on (students') transition to college," Sinsabaugh said. "They'll feel more comfortable when they get here."

Vecchio said he applauds the admissions staff for taking a pro-active approach to a changing marketplace and reacting accordingly.

"They don't just sit back and say, 'we're going to do things like we've always done,'" he said. "That's a tough gig, recruiting."

Additional information on the EDP can be found on http://www.sbu.edu/undergraduate_Admissions.aspx?id=27952 or by calling (800) 462-5050.

Benefits to Early Deposit

• Early access to sbu.edu e-mail address
  
• Early introduction to advisors
  
• Academic schedule prior to orientation
  
• Access to facilities such as Friedsam Memorial Library and the William L. Richter Center
  
• Pre-registration for housing preferences