Students can do their part to boost minority enrollment at the University by serving as members of a new student advisory board to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

"The group's purpose is to serve admissions as an advisory board and to give the perspective and concerns of students themselves," said Victor Corsino, director of public relations for the Puerto Rican Student Association.

The advisory board grew out of the Student Advisory Commission on Minority Admissions at the end of last year. The commission aided the admissions office in past programs, such as bus trips and phone-a-thons, but did not advise the office on how to make these programs more effective, said Tony Moore assistant director of undergraduate admissions, in the division of minority admissions and community affairs.

The advisory board -- which has met just once -- does not make decisions for the admission board but instead provides insight, Corsino said. Any student interested in the board is welcome to attend the group's meeting at 7 tonight in 201 Shields, he said.

The students will advise the admissions office on whether to include a publication aimed at potential minority students as part of the admissions process, Moore said. If a brochure is included, the students will then help determine its contents, he added.

The group will be communicating with Moore's office to pinpoint areas for improvement, Moore said, adding that increased dialogue between the students and the admissions board will improve the recruitment programs.

In the future, the group will act as an independent organization, Moore said, explaining that disassociation from the admissions office would make the group more credible to potential students and more effective.

"It is run by the students for the students," Gonzales said, emphasizing that the organization is not controlled by the University.

About 20 students attended an organizational meeting Dec. 1, Corsino said, noting that the Puerto Rican Student Association was contacted and asked for representation.

The group discussed how to increase minority recruitment, Angelo Gonzalez (junior-real estate) said, adding that they discussed general ideas which will receive further concentration at future meetings.

The students involved are dedicated to increasing minority admissions, Corsino said.