Session Descriptions

2011 SLRC Session Descriptions

Bursars Basics-Darla Freeborn, Whitworth University	How are day-to-day operations in the Bursar’s Office most effectively handled? What practices can help lower your receivables balances while at the same time maintaining good future alumni relations? How do you handle personnel problems and build a good team? Join us for an afternoon full of good information and a lot of sharing and discussion while we cover a myriad of essential practices. We’ll cover everything from payment plans, cashier/money handling practices, and customer service to collections, federal regulations, the audit, those tough personnel management issues, and more. So, whether you’re a bursar new to higher education or a seasoned bursar looking to review, refresh, and maybe get a few new ideas, we’d love to have you join us. Darla Freeborn has been the bursar at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, for 11 years where she has overseen the conversions to e-commerce, electronic billing, and document imaging. Prior to joining the staff at Whitworth, Darla was involved in business and industry. She was the staff accountant for a heavy highway construction company and the plant manager in a manufacturing facility.
Bankruptcy 101 Workshop-Joseph McCandlish, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA	Bankruptcy: A Deep Dive. This in depth workshop will present a Higher Education based discussion of dealing with bankruptcy on your campus. Come hear practicing attorneys as they inform you of best practices and ways to obtain the highest return on your time. Bring your questions and specific examples to discuss in this pre-conference format. Joseph McCandlish works in the Bankruptcy Practice Group. He focuses on the Credit Union and Student Loan Collection & Litigation Groups and is based in the Columbus office. Joseph earned his B.S. in Finance from The Ohio State University in 1994 and his J.D. from Capital University Law School in 2001. A member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Joseph is licensed in Arizona, Florida and Ohio and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Ohio), the U.S. District Courts in Florida and the U.S. District Court (District Court in Arizona). He is a member of the Ohio Bursars Association and the Student Loan Servicing Alliance (Private Loan Committee). Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA, celebrating over 80 years of experience, provides comprehensive bankruptcy, consumer and commercial collections, litigation and real estate default services to creditors throughout the United States, including major banks & financial institutions, mortgage lenders & servicers, commercial creditors, government entities, insurance companies, manufacturers, credit unions, service organizations, medical and utility companies. Recognized as the largest creditors’ rights law firm in the nation, as ranked by Collections & Credit Risk magazine, WWR’s practice areas include bankruptcy, collection services, corporate & financial services, legal action recovery, litigation & defense, probate, real estate default (foreclosure, eviction, title & REO) and subrogation. The firm has five Ohio offices in Brooklyn Heights, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Grove City, along with offices in Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Are You Maximizing Your Payment Acquisition Options David Peterson, i7strategies
Alternative Loans-Michael Reynolds, Auburn University	This session will cover what alternative loans are, when and how they can be used to assist students in aquiring their higher education goals.
Staying Legal & Still Getting the Most Out of In-House Collections-Darla Freeborn, Whitworth University	They graduated owing you money. They’re gone but, in your office, not forgotten. The Alumni Office wants to keep them as devoted alum, willing to give money to their beloved alma mater. If you send them immediately out to hard collection, their beloved alma mater won’t be beloved for long. Attempting to collect those bad debts in-house first can result not only in more speedily collected revenue, but will give you the opportunity to keep the alum dedicated, save them collection costs, and help them protect their credit ratings. So, how will you accomplish all this and stay legal? What will get you in hot water? This session will focus on collection practices and the important aspects of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act that you need to know in order to protect the rights of the debtor while, at the same time, protecting your university.
Securing Information in Student Accounts-Marquetta Griggs, Georgia State University	This session will cover ways to secure students' personal information, FERPA guidelines, and Gramm Leach Bliley.
Sponsored Billing: Effective Communication-Elizabeth Lanphier, formerly with Regis University	This session will cover helpful steps to establish or improve the relationships between your University, Sponsors, and the Sponsored Students. Communication, information, collection procedures, sponsor matrix, and reconciliations make sponsored billing more manageable.
Work Right: Personal and Professional Success-Ellen Harris-Small, Rutgers University
How to Get Paid-James Garrant, Wellesley College	This session will go through the process of how Wellesley successfully established a firmer payment policy. In fall 2010, after a collaborative effort, Wellesley College decided to firm up its payment policy. Who were the players involved? Why now and what changed? Was it successful and what are the next steps?
Financial Aid 101-Frederick Jasper, The Catholic University of America	An overview of the Financial Aid process, types of aid that are available for students, and how it can impact services and collections.
Bankruptcy: A Higher Education Based Look at Collections, Regulations & Newest Best Practices-Joseph McCandlish, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Update- Richard Middleton, The US Department of Veterans Affairs
PERFORMANCE-How Do Your Agencies Rate? -Elizabeth Lanphier, formerly with Regis University	This session will demonstrate how to track the performance of your collection agencies using a monthly collections analysis spreadsheet. It will also discuss how to implement quality assurance procedures to monitor the level of customer service given to students by your collection agencies.
Department of Education Update (Tenetive)
Presidential Perspective-Dr. Linda Bleicken, President, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Ebbing the Abyss: Higher Education's Role in Promoting Financial Literacy-Mary Johnson, HigherOne	This session will focus on the growing importance of financial literacy among college students, and the need for colleges and universities to take a more proactive role. It will highlight recent trends in student and family economic health and debt accumulation, compounding economic factors, and the spectrum of consequences for individuals, society and institutions of higher education. The session will highlight strategies for implementing financial literacy education programs and successful models being used across the country.
Using Work-Study Funds to Assist in Your Office Administration-Michael Reynolds, Auburn University	A case study of how Auburn University uses Work-Study Funds to cost-effectively run their office; as well as, equip the office with a multi-purpose phone center.
Stress, Stress & More Stress-Ellen Harris-Small, Rutgers University
Fraud and Security Awareness--It's Our Responsibility-Laurie Beets, Oklahoma State University	This presentation is designed to address common fraud risks pertaining to the Bursar Office; identify procedures and controls to mitigate risk . An understanding will also be gained of security measures to deter offenders to commit fraud and ways to protect employees.
Strategic Management in Student Accounts-Frederick Jasper, The Catholic University of America	Why is it important? Your college or university has to be able to respond effectively to challenges - both problems and opportunities - as they arise. The goal of this session is to cover the analysis, formulation, implementation, and evaluation and to apply it to your workforce.
Payment by the Due Date: A Case Study in College-Wide Collaboration-James Garrant, Wellesley College	A discussion of best practices for identifying and billing accounts, types of notification, options for resolution and when to place for collections or write off delinquent accounts. Participation is encouraged.
Collection Techniques-Kala Williams, Drake University	Consistency, Compassion and Follow-up: How to use collection tools and techniques to GET YOUR MONEY.
Top Tips for Proper Cash Handling-Laurie Beets, Oklahoma State University	Our office responsibilities involve collecting cash and being accountable for safeguarding it . This session discusses cash handling tips to develop sound cash management practices, strengthen controls, and reduce risk.
Roundtable