What's New?

College Web site adds blogs to help recruit students

The college's Web site launched two new features last month -- "npbloggers" and Abroad blogs. Blogs, a popular Internet trend, are online journals used by individuals, the media, politicians, businesses, and more increasingly, colleges to inform their publics about themselves or their organization.

According to a report released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 19 percent of online youth ages 12-17 have created their own blog and 38 percent of all online teens say they read blogs. Given the growing number of prospective college students that use blogs, colleges have begun to use them as a recruitment tool.

Colleges throughout the country that have utilized blogs have seen positive results, finding that prospective students want to hear directly from students enrolled at their institution.

"NPBloggers," features seven New Paltz students, documenting their daily lives at the college. Abroad blogs features Tom Sartain, a student studying in Prague, as well as Penny Schouten, the study abroad recruitment coordinator for the Center for International Programs who discusses the study abroad experience and addresses prospective study abroad students. Visit "npbloggers" at npbloggers.newpaltz.edu or the Abroad blogs at abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu.

Foundation raises $2.5 million

The SUNY New Paltz Foundation has published its 2004-05 annual report. The foundation raised $2.5 million -- a new record -- in charitable donations last year. The complete report, including the "Honor Roll of Donors" and audited financial statements, is being published as part of the Observer magazine, and can be viewed online at www.newpaltz.edu/foundation/annual.cfm.