Veritas, Vol. 25, No. 02, October 1984

              Enrollment stats show higher SAT scores
In the past five years at the UM, mean Scholastic Aptitude Test scores for entering freshmen have increased by nearly lOO points, a virtually unheard of accomplishment at a major university.
Benchmark enrollment figures show mean SATs for freshmen at 1059, a 97 point increase over the 962 SAT mean for 1980, In addition, the number of valedictorians in the 1984-85 freshman class more than doubled and the number of salutatorians increased by more than 30 percent.
Because of the large number of May ’84 graduates, the total number of degree-seeking students declined 1.1 percent this fall, from 13,861 to 13,708. The number of freshmen increased by 309 from 1,463 to 1,772, and honors students comprise about one third of the freshman class.
“There is no more important development right now at the University of Miami than this additional evidence of the increasing quality of the University,” said Edward T. Foote II, president.
“The UM has planned to get better, and we are getting better even more rapidly than we hoped,” he'continued.
“This is a tribute to the superlative work of Provost Bill Lee, Associate Provost Jim Ash, our Director of Enrollment Administration George Giampetro, and new Admissions Director Debbe Perry.”
President Foote said that the quality of the University has been stronger than its reputation for some time. The improvement in SAT scores, is “a clear indication that the fact of our quality is increasingly well-recognized.”
The reason for the growing reputation of the UM is threefold, says Associate Provost Ash. First, the academic programs of the University are sound. Second, the UM developed an aggressive honors program of special appeal to top high school students. Third, the University committed funds to support honors scholarships.
“The combination of strong majors, honors courses in a residential college and adequate financial assistance is attracting ‘A’ students,” said Ash, “and B’ students are following.” Applications for admission also increased substantially. Nearly 15 percent more high school students
David Lieberman. vice president for Business and Finance. recently presented a meniefito to John Collenberger Jr for his outstanding perfor?nance as an employee to the University. Collenberger is the acting manager for the Building Mai ntena nee section of Physical Plant. Presentations are made to recognize employees in the Business and Finance division periodically.
applied for admission this year than last.
Freshmen enrollment from central and northern Florida more than doubled, and enrollment from Broward
Mean SAT scores for UM entering freshmen
Year	Score
1980	962
1981	984
1982	1016
1983	1028
1984	1059
County increased by 33 percent. Freshmen from out of state increased by more than 2 5 percent, and the number of foreign freshmen is up 11.5 percent.
Graduate enrollment fell by 3-4 percent from 2,644 to 2,554, but the number of new graduate students remained essentially unchanged.
Retention of returning students also exceeded projections by 1.5 percent.
Said David Lieberman, vice president for Business and Finance, “We are where we want to be academically and financially. Enrollment is high enough to meet budget requirements and low enough to maintain quality.”
University oilers new option for health care
In an effort to reduce employees’ out-of-pocket expenses for health care, the University has recently developed a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield program. Under this program, employees will have the option to use PPO hospitals and physicians in order to reduce deductibles and co-payments.
A PPO does not change the medical delivery system as we know it today The providers, among the most cost-efficient in the Miami area, will provide program participants with quality health care delivery at a discounted price. It is not mandatory that participants use the PPO providers, but using other prov iders will require a higher out-of-pocket payment at the time a claim is filed.
Under the existing benefit program, a participant receives claim reimbursement by going to any qualified physician and hospital. If a PPO is used, the co-payment is reduced to 10 percent (formerly 20 percent). If a participant uses a non-PPO hospital, a $200 calendar year hospital deductible is required. The deductible is waived when PPO hospitals are used. The PPO schedule of payments is discounted from usual, customary and reasonable (UÇR). If a participant elects care by a non-PPO provider, reimbursement will be made at 80 percent of the PPO schedule rather than 80 percent of the UCR. If a participant requires care outside the PPO serv ice area, reimbursement at 80 percent of usual, customary" and reasonable will be made.
Under the PPO, the co-pavment out-of-pocket maximum is S750 in addition to a S500 base deductible. Stop-loss for the use of non-PPO serv ices is S5.000 in addition to the S500 deductible. The plan is designed to encourage participants to use the PPO facilities so that medical care costs are held to a minimum.
The plan has also been expanded to improve out-patient surgery* benefits and prov ide hospice care, pre- and concurrent utilization rev iew, and an
amateur audit program (for non-preferred providers only).
Participants are encouraged to purchase prescription drugs from the UM Pharmacy for additional savings.
In early November, the University will be holding educational meetings to describe in detail the new PPO concept. A number of these informative sessions are planned and will include a comprehensive slide presentation and a thorough question and answer period. Representatives from the Employee Benefits Office and Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be on hand to answer your questions. The University will also distribute informational memorandums for further clarification of the new plan.
A list of the participating physicians and hospitals, which will include the Jackson Memorial Medical complex, is available at the Employee Benefits Office, the Coral Gables campus Physical Plant office, the Faculty Senate Office, and the medical campus personnel offices.
Another program will become available on April 1, 1985, for employees but not their dependents. This program will incorporate the services of the Jackson Memorial Hospital complex and Professional Income Plan (PIP) phy sicians. Facilities also will be available on the Coral Gables campus to prov ide health care delivery under this concept.
Under this exclusive prov ider arrangement, the deductible is paid through pay roll deduction in equal installments. Medical care is deliv ered by* PIP staff and the Jackson Memorial Hospital complex. At these facilities claim reimbursement is 100 percent.
Under this program no deductible or stop loss payments are required. The program emphasizes preventative health, and includes a free annual phy sical examination. Quality care will be provided by PIP phy sicians. If medical care or attention outside of the area is required, the regular deductible, co-insurance and stop-loss will apply*.