In the spring, small liberal arts colleges across the country gear up for admissions events designed to both entice prospective students and introduce those who have already been accepted to all college life has to offer.
At Millsaps College in the heart of Jackson, the spring is typically a busy time.
“Millsaps typically hosts several large spring events designed to introduce admitted students to the academic curriculum, student life, student organizations, community partnerships and the city,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Hope Carter. “The college also hosts many individual campus tours.”
This year, however, the Millsaps campus is not bustling with excited prospective students or incoming freshmen. As the coronavirus pandemic wages on, small liberal arts colleges like Millsaps are figuring out how to maintain some sense of normalcy.
Carter said, “Luckily, the admissions process was completed for the majority of our applicants prior to the pandemic and travel restrictions being put in place.”
Over the past month, Millsaps has moved to offering virtual campus visits and Zoom calls for scheduled interactions with faculty, coaches, current students and admissions staff.
Also, in light of the challenges many are facing as a result of coronavirus, the college has decided to extend the enrollment deposit deadline for admitted students from May 1 to June 1.
Many college fairs and similar events for attracting potential students, typically held in the summer months, are beginning to be canceled.
“In fact, we have delayed our own summer events designed for rising juniors and seniors with hopes they can be rescheduled for early in the fall,” Carter said.
In the meantime, Millsaps is continuing to offer virtual campus visits and Zoom sessions. Carter said they will continue this as “long as necessary, with the hope that campus will be open again very soon.”
Unfortunately, these are not the only hardships small liberal arts colleges are facing. The coronavirus has also had a direct economic impact on these schools, from the cost of switching to remote learning to refunding students for housing and meal plans.
However, Millsaps President Dr. Robert W. Pearigen shared with the Northside Sun about ways they are overcoming these challenges, from remote learning to financial strain.
“Yes, there are challenges for us now – challenges with regard to finances, enrollment and operations,” Pearigen said. “But with those challenges come opportunities, and I am confident we will make the most of those before us and create new ones on our own.”
“Our seniors will earn their degrees and our incoming students will be greeted with open arms. Our faculty will return to the classrooms better equipped than ever, continuing the genuine and personal mentoring that has supported our students in the past and even more so during this present time,” Pearigen added.
