table of contents   An Invitation to all RMASFAA Members   RMASFAA Summer Institute 2003 - "Mastering the Puzzle"   by Daphne Hall, Committee Chair "June is how many months away?" This tends to be the question asked most often by the members of the RMASFAA Summer Institute committee as they develop and plan for the 2003 Summer Institute. The committee is excited about the new dates and location for this year's institute - June 6-13, 2003 at Regis University in Denver, CO. As you have been working the word scramble messages on RMASFAA-L the past few months, you realize that we are using the theme "Mastering the Puzzle" for this year's Institute. The "Puzzle Master" will be sharing fun brain teasers with you each month. The RMASFAA Summer Institute Committee would like to extend an invitation for you to join us at Regis University where the Puzzle Master will be revealed. Again this year, our pre-institute workshop will be an intense weekend emphasizing Professional Development and Leadership. Skills learned will benefit attendees in their offices, on their campuses, in their community work and in their involvement in their state associations, RMASFAA and NASFAA. Join us in learning some of those indispensable concepts necessary for career growth and satisfaction. Our topic for this year's Intervanced track is "Enrollment Management." What is the role of the financial aid office in an enrollment management environment? How does financial aid fit into admissions activities? Can financial aid impact retention? What packaging approaches are most effective in attracting and retaining students? How can enrollment management practices be measured? Can "Professional Judgment" play a part in enrollment management? These questions and more will be the focus of a week-long, high energy training featuring expert speakers from around the RMASFAA region. Our Neophyte track has an excellent group of instructors signed up! Our 2003 Neophyte faculty is: Cristi Easton (UT), Deana Unger (NE), Brenda Murtha, (SD), Jeff Gregory (CO), Bob Neas (ND), Cindy Hejl (CO), Kelly Hoggatt (KS), John Curl (UT) and alternate Brenda Sebastian (MT). After a week of intense training in the financial aid basics, our Neophyte attendees will be amazed at the knowledge they have gained. A compelling schedule has been developed in our Student Loans Professionals track. Topics include: Washington and Legislative Updates - Politicians, Pundits and Prognostications; Reauthorization: Big or Little - How significant with this installment pan out to be; Technology - Making our Lives Easier or More Complex; The Annual Review of Using Technology On the Road; Budget Cuts - Doing More with Less - A Roundtable Discussion on the impact of the change in the economy on higher education; and Human Behavior Assessment Survey - Gain insight into your work behavior patterns, "style", or "type". We are excited that for a second year, NASFAA is offering their Best Practices Symposium in conjunction with our RMASFAA Summer Institute. Sessions will focus on three areas: Financial aid office organization and structure, project and resource management and legal issues. NASFAA Best Practices Symposium participants wishing to complete the week with an even greater wealth of knowledge are invited to join the Intervanced Track. It is exciting to have this training opportunity for our most experienced financial aid professionals. Of course, Summer Institute is not all work and no play. Scheduled activities include a dinner and a "floating puzzle" activity; a dynamite improv comedy group, an interactive band, movie rentals each evening, and daily morning walks. There will even be some time to relax, visit local attractions and network with colleagues. I want to introduce the members of the RMASAA Summer Institute Committee who are working hard to make your training experience worthwhile: Chair Daphne Hall NE Vice Chair David Vikander SD Past Chair Brenda Sebastian MT Treasurer Sharon Kienow SD Site Chair Sharon Harper CO Registration, Chair Carol Wirthman KS Registration, Co-Chair Judy Ransom CO PD & Leadership, Chair Bev Bell WY PD & Leadership, Co-Chair Arlene Williams MT Loan Pro, Chair Mark Putman CO Loan Pro, Co-Chair Mary Anne Whitman SD Intervanced, Chair Sally Schuman WY Intervanced, Co-Chair Dave Gruen WY Neophyte, Chair Penny James NE Neophyte, Co-Chair Teri Dorchuck CO Entertainment, Chair Julie Esau KS Entertainment/Technical Coordinator Jim Harris CO The Institute is one of the premier training seminars in the country where you can learn and associate with peers in a friendly and challenging atmosphere. You'll meet friends old and new, plus acquire new skills all in one of the most beautiful locations in the West. Take a peek at what Institute 2003 has to offer you!   table of contents