UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 16, Page 9
January 5, 1995
Students help students in VAST

     When high school students consider which college to attend,
telephone calls from current University of Delaware students, who can
answer their questions and talk about their concerns, can be very
helpful in their decisions, according to Stirling Miller, senior
associate director of admissions.
     That's when the student members of the Volunteer Admissions
Support Team (VAST) go into action. VAST members are student outreach
volunteers who, after a training session offered during Winter Session
or early in the spring semester, contact students who are accepted to
the University but who have not made the final decision to attend..
     "Our volunteers are enthusiastic, interested in sharing their
college experiences and in promoting the advantages of going to
college, and more specifically going to the University. They are
performing a genuine service for the University and for prospective
students," Miller said.
     VAST volunteers are matched with high school students who have
expressed interest in their majors. After talking about the academic
side of college life, the conversation usually turns to a variety of
topics about student life. Sometimes, the callers reach parents when
high school students are not home, and those parents also have a
number of concerns, Miller said.
     The students work out of admissions office sites and call
prospective freshmen during two-hour sessions during Winter Session
and early in the spring semester. After the calls, the volunteers
discuss, over pizza, how the calls went and the concerns of those they
contacted.
     The feedback from prospective students is positive, Miller said.
Several commented that they did not expect a call from Delaware and
were impressed by the interest and attention shown to them. Many
students contacted in this way decide to come to Delaware and
eventually become VAST volunteers themselves, Miller said.
     Some colleges and departments also have their own student
volunteers, and Miller works with them to coordinate efforts.
     Faculty also have played an important role in communicating with
high school students about the University. Many write welcoming
letters to accepted students and send them information about certain
majors and their specific academic requirements. Frequently, this
correspondance is followed up by telephone calls.
     Alumni also serve as VAST volunteers in areas where they live,
and their help is invaluable, Miller said.
     "Our goal is to welcome new students to the University and be of
assistance to them. The participation by students through VAST is an
essential part of our undergraduate recruitment effort," Miller said.
     Anyone interested in learning more about VAST or volunteering is
encouraged to call Miller at 831-6394.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure