List of Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the question or scroll down through the pages that follow.
1. Who is the current President of ICO? What can you tell me about him?
2. Who is on the Board of Trustees? What do they do?
4. What is the tuition nowadays? What is the default rate like?
5. What is ICO’s enrollment? What is the retention rate?
6. If I want to refer a prospective student to ICO, whom should I contact?
7. What is the curriculum like?
8. How can I become part of ICO’s externship program? Who should I contact?
9. How does ICO compare with the national average relative to National Board scores?
10. What kinds of practices do ICO graduates usually have?
11. What can you tell me about the surrounding neighborhood? Is it changing?
12. How do I arrange a visit to ICO for a tour of the campus? How do I get there? Where should I park?
13. How do I become more involved? Who should I contact about alumni support opportunities?
14. I have a question that has not been addressed here. Who should I contact for more information?
1. Who is the current President of ICO? What can you tell me about him?
Dr. Arol Augsburger is the current President of ICO. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1971. From 1971 through 1993, Dr. Augsburger served as a faculty member at the Ohio State University College of Optometry. He then became dean and professor of the UAB College of Optometry and later served as interim provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), before his appointment as president of ICO in 2002. Dr. Augsburger is widely recognized as an outstanding leader and legislative facilitator in the optometric profession. He was instrumental in redefining optometric legislation in Ohio and in Alabama. He was later honored as Optometrist of the Year in both states. Additionally, the AOA named Dr. Augsburger Optometrist of the Year in 1986.
Dr. Augsburger has held numerous leadership positions within the profession, including having been on the board of ASCO and the president of the NBEO. He is also a leader in the community, as a member of the board of the Rotary Club of Chicago, the oldest Rotary Club in the world. He has also been appointed to the President’s Council of the Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Dr. Augsburger’s commitment to the health care industry has been recognized by organizations nationwide. Both the National Academy of Practice and the AAO have honored him for outstanding service in promoting interdisciplinary professional relationships.
2. Who is on the Board of Trustees? What do they do?
The Board of Trustees consists of optometrists and public/community leaders as well as a faculty representative who are committed to supporting and advancing the optometric profession and, specifically, ICO. The duties of the ICO Board of Trustees are consistent with those of other private educational institutions. Acting in the best interest of the college, the Board of Trustees exercises direction and control over the business policies and affairs of ICO.
Below are the current members of the ICO Board of Trustees:
James R. Butler, OD, ICO ’59
Steven H. Abbey, MBA
Donovan Crouch, OD, ICO ’63
Steven Devick, OD, ICO '76
Michael V. Favia, JD
Richard P. Franz, OD, ICO ’72
Robert L. Grazian, O.D.
Richard S. Kattouf, OD, DOS, ICO ’72 (Chair)
Millicent Knight, OD, ICO ’87
Thomas A. Lawless, OD, ICO ‘71
Gary Lesher, PhD (faculty)
Stephen Pugh, Esq. - Public Trustee - Chicago, IL
Charles B. Quattrochi, CPA
Martin Sikorski, OD, ICO ‘66
Michael P. Stinziano, PhD, WPC, CWCP
Laurie Wynn, CIMA
3. Why should I give to ICO? How do I know my donation will be put to good use? How is giving recognized?
ICO’s excellence in academic and clinical programs is one of our strongest assets. Because alumni have a vested interest in maintaining and promoting this excellence, giving back to their alma mater helps support the educational programs and learning environment for current and future students.
There are many different types of giving opportunities. Gifts can be directed toward a specific use or toward the annual fund, which is the college’s general operating fund. Our annual report, published in ICO Matters, details the source and use of all philanthropic contributions.
Our philanthropic partners are recognized in our annual honor roll of donors. Additionally, we have recently installed a permanent display on campus recognizing donors with cumulative giving of $5000 or more. This donor wall is updated annually following the close of our fiscal year in June. Alumni are encouraged to return to ICO and visit this recognition piece. For more information on giving, please contact Ms. Felicia Filbin, Director of Annual Giving, at ffilbin@ico.edu.
4. What is the tuition nowadays? What is the default rate like?
The 2006-07 tuition for the four-year optometric education received from ICO is $118,424. There are a number of financial aid options available to students. We are proud to say that the default rate on student loans for ICO graduates is currently at zero, where it has been for the last six years. For more information, please contact Mr. Bryant Anderson, Director of Student Financial Services, at banderson@ico.edu.
5. What is ICO’s enrollment? What is the retention rate?
The enrollment at ICO is currently 605 students. The latest statistics on retention are from 2005-06, at which time the retention rate was 97.9%.
6. If I want to refer a prospective student to ICO, whom should I contact?
To refer a student to ICO, or to request admissions materials, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@ico.edu, or call at 800-397-2424. We also recommend you visit the prospective student section of our website.
7. What is the curriculum like?
The four-year curriculum consists of two years of basic and health sciences and two years of clinical sciences. Basic and biomedical sciences are concentrated in the first two years of the program and are accompanied by demonstration laboratories with some clinical education as well. As the student progresses through the educational program, patient contact increases. Third year students are integrated into direct patient care activities while fourth year students are devoted to patient care full-time. Clinical rotations at the ICO’s Illinois Eye Institute and at over 150 affiliated clinical sites throughout the U.S. offer students experience in pediatrics, binocular vision, low vision rehabilitation, contact lenses, emergency care, and ocular disease. The end result is a graduate who is trained to provide full scope primary eye care.
8. How can I become part of ICO’s externship program? Who should I contact?
If you are interested in participating as a doctor in the externship program, you may contact the Interim Director of Community-Based Education, Dr. Brian Caden, at bcaden@ico.edu or externship@eyecare.ico.edu for application information. Generally, we are looking for doctors who practice primary eye care in multi-practitioner offices.
9. How does ICO compare with the national average relative to National Board scores?
ICO students consistently exceed the national passing rate on Parts I, II, and III of the NBEO. For instance, in 2004, the ICO average pass rates of each part of the boards were 72%, 91%, and 96%, respectively. Comparatively, the national pass rates in 2001 were 67%, 91%, and 94%, respectively. Please keep in mind that, while we are proud of our students’ performance on these exams, it is only one measure of their skills and knowledge and, therefore, the data should be used in the appropriate context when evaluating optometric programs.
10. What kinds of practices do ICO graduates usually have?
Graduates from ICO have a variety of options available when they graduate. From launching a new practice, to purchasing an existing practice, to joining a multidisciplinary practice, to working for a retail chain, the choice depends on what the graduate determines is the best option for him or her. ICO’s placement program can help the fourth year student find the best match. For more information about the placement program, contact Ms. Tracy Faulkner, Professional Career Development Counselor, at tfaulkner@ico.edu or call 312-949-7403.
11. What can you tell me about the surrounding neighborhood? Is it changing?
Within the last 5-10 years, the neighborhood has changed significantly. What used to be low income housing and empty lots, are now single family homes, town homes, and condos. Rebuilding, rehabbing and redevelopment have resulted in property values increasing. The area is bustling with college students not only from ICO, but also from the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Vandercook College of Music just blocks away. Additionally, a new police headquarters is located just two blocks south of the college.
12. How do I arrange a visit to ICO for a tour of the campus? How do I get there? Where should I park?
For a tour of the ICO campus, please contact the admissions office and they will make arrangements for you. The admissions coordinators may be reached at 800-397-2424. We also encourage you to check the visitor section of our website for more information.
13. How do I become more involved? Who should I contact about alumni support opportunities?
We are always looking for alumni who are able and willing to support ICO and become more involved in whatever ways they can. You can attend our alumni events held throughout the year at state and national conventions; you can attend alumni reunion weekend held on campus each fall; you can attend our continuing education programs held throughout the year; you can promote ICO by volunteering your time at your local school and/or community career fairs; and you can join a giving club or contribute to one of our philanthropic programs supporting eye care in underserved populations in our community. Contact Ms. Connie Scavuzzo, Director of Alumni Relations, at cscavuzzo@ico.edu. Check the alumni section of the website for the calendar of upcoming alumni events and the continuing education section of the website for the calendar of upcoming CE programs.
14. I have a question that has not been addressed here. Who should I contact for more information?
Please feel free to contact the Office of Alumni Relations for any questions you have that have not been addressed here. Contact Ms. Connie Scavuzzo, Director of Alumni Relations, at cscavuzzo@ico.edu, or call 312-949-7080 during business hours, M-F, 8:30am – 5:00pm, CST. Thank you for visiting this area of our website. We hope it has been helpful in answering any questions you have pertaining to ICO.
