Ewu’s Big Pitch School Pulls Out All The Stops To Boost Enrollment

American colleges and universities gave out $14 billion in grants and scholarships to students this fall.

Some of the money went to the poor, some to the brilliant, some to the athletic.

And some went to lucky winners of Eastern Washington University door prizes.

“I was shocked - I’ve never won anything,” said Raynette Amador of Cheney, one of three students who recently won an $800 scholarship by attending an EWU information night.

Scholarship door prizes are rare. But at EWU, where enrollment has been down and publicity has been bleak, creative minds are attacking these problems with unusual abandon.

Under pressure from state legislators to boost enrollment or lose millions in tax dollars, EWU is taking every opportunity to convert routine events into recruitment missions. In some cases, admissions officers are signing up students for one class at a time.

“It’s the holy watchword: recruit,” said computer science professor Steve Simmons.

This Saturday, as high school seniors begin preparing college applications for the 1998-99 academic year, scores of EWU staff and faculty members are throwing one of the largest events ever held at the 115-year-old school.

They have invited more than 7,000 people to a campuswide open house before the Eagles’ homecoming football game against Idaho State.

Prospective students will see thespians fight with swords and archaeologists dig up artifacts. Simmons and other computer wizards will show how they convert old LPs to CD-ROMs. Faculty members from physical therapy, education and other disciplines will give talks and conduct tours while Chicano Education and other groups will discuss student life.

Southwest Airlines is donating the richest incentive to attend: free round-trip tickets and discount vouchers to those who sign up for a drawing.

“For interested students, it’s a buyer’s market here,” said university provost Niel Zimmerman.

Lisa Poplawski, assistant director of admissions and organizer of the open house, said EWU has advertised the event statewide. Dozens of Western Washington residents have called to reserve a space at the event and football game, she said.

EWU is offering free rides from Spokane International Airport to campus, and the Spokane Transit Authority trolley will shuttle guests around campus.

“We’re not telling every student that Eastern is the best school for everyone,” Poplawski said. “But for those who come and see all the opportunities that we offer them, it hits home that this is a great place.”

The open house comes on the heels of a pitch by recruiters to enroll Seattle Seahawks fans who came to campus to get autographs and watch practices during the football team’s training camp last summer.

In September, EWU’s Spokane Center organized a four-day Education Expo, where Amador and others won their scholarships.

The event attracted hundreds of undecided students just days before classes began. About 40 people enrolled in at least one class, said Carol Rhoads, assistant to the Spokane Center manager.

The new students contributed to EWU’s last-minute efforts to show state officials that the school has slowed its decline in enrollment.

EWU has a mandate from the Legislature to increase enrollment or risk cuts in its funding. Having lost nearly 1,000 students in four years, the school must persuade members of the Higher Education Coordinating Board next week that it has a solid plan for recovery.

Should EWU fail to make its case, board members could withhold $1.35 million in taxpayer dollars that EWU has budgeted to market itself.

True believers, however, doubt that will happen.

“That $800 was a godsend,” said Amador, who is raising three children while completing a master’s degree in social work. “A lot of people don’t realize you can get a scholarship just by winning a door prize.

“I love Eastern; I think it’s a great school.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: EWU OPEN HOUSE Highlights from Eastern Washington University’s open house schedule on Saturday: Youth adventures, ages 8-14, sword-fighting demonstration, planetarium visit. Check in from 7:45-8:30 a.m. at Pence Union Building. Call 359-2397 for reservations or information. Public welcome at 8:30 a.m. at Showalter Auditorium. Academic tours and office visits, various buildings, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Campus walking tours, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Clubs and organization extravaganza, PUB, 9 a.m.-noon. Residential hall tours, various buildings. 10 a.m-11:45 a.m. Eastern vs. Idaho State football, Woodward Stadium, 12:30 p.m. General admission: $8 adult; $4 students/seniors.