Those attending- Walz, Finau, Deely, McBride, Astorino, Feigel, Florendo, Schulte, Caridi, Cline, Coreno, Lamadrid, Mans, Mertens, Orlando

Minutes approved

Updates from last meeting include a confirmation on the ordering of the computers for the library and alternative options for expanding the bandwidth. 

Dr. Cline and Don Orlando were invited to discuss the college’s marketing strategy. Cline is serving as assistant to the President on marketing. A poster idea was presented, highlighting the Benedictine tradition as well as combining the old with the new, portrayed with laptop computers sitting on the stairs in front of the Basilica. The poster will be 16 x 20 inches intended for a Catholic high school audience. Lamadrid asked for critiques before posters are made and distributed.

Cline stated that he has been researching specific aspects of SVC and why students attend so as to approach a marketing strategy that is appropriate. In his studies he found that the global attitude for students to attend a school is visceral, whereas parents approach the college decision rationally and then influence the student. Marketing of SVC therefore involves analysis, planning, control and implementation. The goal is to anticipate and satisfy customer needs. The evaluation of marketing comes in phases. The customers in this case are students, parents, employers, tax payers and alumni. Thus far, four basic stages have been gone through with two more to go, including freshmen and the Benedictine heritage. It was helpful to discover in the research that not many people in New York or Pennsylvania outside of Westmoreland County were aware of Saint Vincent College. The research did familiarize what was important to the customers. “Brand introduction” needs to be worked upon.

Next meeting scheduled for 15 November 2005 to conclude the marketing strategy and Cline’s research.

Respectfully submitted by Sheena McBride