2024 Bursar Fundamentals (Recordings)
Recorded On: 02/20/2024
- Registration Closed
The Bursar Fundamentals program is perfect for those new to the business office, student financial services, or the higher education workplace, or those who want a refresher on the core responsibilities of the student accounts area. Attendees will gain an understanding of the topics bursars need to be aware of, such as financial aid, refunds, processing payments, and collections. An emphasis will be placed on customer service, including ways to communicate with students and financial literacy education. Join our experienced faculty members for this concentrated learning experience. The program will conclude with a conversation on the trends student accounts staff should have their eyes on for the future.
Learning Objectives
After this program, you will be able to—
- Discuss the partnerships within your institution that will be critical to effectively managing student accounts receivables
- Identify ways to effectively communicate with students and families
- Review the core functions of the student accounts office
Sponsor
NACUBO thanks the following supporter of this event:
Session Info
The High-Level View of the Bursar's Office
After introductions from the faculty, this session focuses on daily operations from the view of a director. Areas of responsibility such as organizational structure, process mapping, and separation of duties will be discussed. Student account systems and records are addressed, along with the various ways institutions invoice students and families. You will also hear which partners—within and outside your institution—will be key to your success in student accounts.
Financial Aid and Refunds
Learn the ins and outs of Federal Student Aid, including
notifications, disbursements, book vouchers, and prior-year charges. Attendees also review reconciliations and the over-awarding of aid. Additionally,
learn how you can prevent student aid fraud. Finally, discuss the management of
a student account and learn how to issue Title IV credit balance refunds
through multiple channels. Presenters also briefly review the Return to
Title IV process.
Payments and Payment Plans
Explore the many ways that bursars can accept payments. Credit
card convenience fees, PCI compliance, and chargebacks are highlighted. We also cover internal and external payment plans, examining the benefits of
each and how they can help your students.
Collections and Loan Administration
Managing
receivables is a key function of the student accounts office. Get an overview
of the federal and institutional loan program management. Presenters review different types of loans—including federal, private, and institutional.
Then, examine in-house and outsourced collection processes as well as reporting
functions required to assure compliance with federal regulations. Presenters also engage in a discussion around the latest trends in collections.
Customer Service, Financial Literacy Education, and the Latest Trends
Customer
service is part of everything you do. Examine customer service philosophies and
avenues of delivery. Learn how to be proactive in your communications and
review different messaging paths, including online account information,
publications, and email notifications—for both students and families. Attendees also review why financial literacy education programs are essential to
student success. Finally, a short summary of the latest trends in the field
is shared, followed by a wrap-up and an opportunity to answer attendees’
questions.
DeAhn Baucom
University Cashier
UNC Chapel Hill
DeAhn Baucom has been the university cashier (aka bursar) at UNC Chapel Hill since 2002. In that time, she has guided multiple system implementations and navigated an ever-changing regulatory and higher education environment. Baucom has co-presented and facilitated multiple NACUBO Student Financial Services sessions on a variety of topics and the Bursar Fundamentals program.
Brandon Cline-Taskey
Director, University Business Office
James Madison University
Brandon Cline-Taskey has been in the JMU business office since 2004. Upon graduating from JMU, he was originally hired as the IT manager for the office. His first project was to implement an electronic billing system. Since that time, he has always looked for ways to streamline the university business office's (UBO) operations. Cline-Taskey became the university bursar in 2014 and was hired as director of the UBO in 2021. As director of the UBO, Cline-Taskey has focused on finding ways to reduce student accounts receivables through targeted communication with students and parents.
During his time in the business office, Cline-Taskey has led many roundtable discussions for the Bursars of Virginia’s public institutions. He is a current member of the NACUBO SFS Council and has presented on behalf of NACUBO on a variety of student financial topics. He completed a master of science degree in 2011.
Wendy A. Pursell
Director of Student Accounts
Kutztown University
Wendy Pursell has been the director of student accounts at Kutztown University (Kutztown, PA) for over 16 years after serving in the human resources office for five years prior. She currently serves as the lead bursar for the PA State System of Higher Education. She has been involved with student information system conversions, various cohort initiatives to increase student enrollment and retention, and military funding and guidance, as well as the normal office duties within student financial services. As an active member of NACUBO, she has taken on leadership roles such as chair of the Student Financial Services (SFS) Planning Committee, as well as a termed SFS Council team member and faculty for the annual Bursar Fundamentals program.
Pursell enjoys speaking for various organizations and even her local orientations on campus. She finds her greatest joy spending time with her family including husband, Rich, and son, Adam. Wendy is easily found on a beach somewhere with a good book and maybe a glass of wine.
Scott Salzman
Director of Financial Services and Accounts Receivable
Texas Christian University
Scott Salzman has worked in the student finance service office in higher education for 30+ years. He has been at Texas Christian University (TCU) since October 2022. Some of his responsibilities at TCU include managing all aspects of student interaction in the student financial services office, working and leading e-commerce solutions, spearheading upgrades to the current student financial services software and processes, and identifying trends and ways they might impact student financial services. Before that, he was the executive director of accounts receivable and treasury services/bursar at the University of Dallas (UD) for 20 years. While at UD, he was in charge of student AR, registration, and the treasury functions of the university. In addition, he has served on ICUT E-Commerce committee, has done presentations at various conferences, is on NACUBO’s Student Financial Services Counsel, and is president of Texas Higher Education Business Officers (THEBO) organization.
Bryan Dickson (Moderator)
Director, Student Financial Services and Educational Programs
NACUBO
Bryan Dickson is the director of student financial services and educational programs for NACUBO. As part of NACUBO’s leadership development team, he is responsible for supporting the advancement of an array of member programs and services, including educational programming for new chief business officers.
In addition, he is a staff liaison to NACUBO’s Student Financial Services Council, working on behalf of the NACUBO membership to assist bursars and student accounts staff on a national level through advocacy with federal agencies and members of Congress. Prior to joining NACUBO in 2007, Dickson was a member of the legal and compliance practice at CEB, Inc., a best practice insight and technology company in Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
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