Retention Initiatives

1
Retention Initiatives

• Admission and Advising Testing
• April 8, 2004

2
First Year Experience

• Angela Ryan, Coordinator
• Eric Tammes
• Nancy Litke
• Patrick Green

3
Rationale

• Students decide whether or not to stay at
  Roosevelt within the first six weeks of school
• Retention rate of first-time, full-time freshmen
  statistics 51.9 and 68.3
• Retention Committee formed a
  sub-committee to look at options

4
Sub-Committee Recommendations

• Many of our competitors have some kind of First
  Year Experience class to assist their students
• There is strong evidence that this type of
  introduction course influences retention rates
• Must connect students to the Universitys mission

5
Program Objectives

• Opportunity to develop relationships with peers,
  faculty, staff and administrators
• Students acquire skills that will enhance their
  ability to succeed in academics, social
  situations, and in co-curricular events

6
Program Objectives

• Opportunity to discuss personal goals and current
  events
• Opportunity to become acquainted with resources
  offered for student success

7
Program Outline

• Mandatory for all full-time freshmen, under the
  age of 24 who have completed less than 15 credit
  hours
• This non-credit course will be for eight weeks
• Fee for course will be approximately 175
  (covered by Financial Aid)
• Will be a requirement for graduation

8
Program Outline

• FYS 100 RU Ready Navigating University Life
  page 41 in Fall Schedule
• Class size of 17-20 students
• Taught by Enrollment and Student Services staff
  members or interested faculty members
• Student leader component (ideally a Junior or
  Senior level student) to act as mentor

9
Program Outline

• Classes will include guest speakers, lecture,
  discussion, group projects and journal
  entries/reflection papers
• Instructors and student leaders will be paid
• Students participate in class-wide civic project
• 23 sections (18 in Chicago and 5 in Schaumburg)

10
Class Topics

• Common reading experiences during class and
  discussed throughout the eight week period
• History of Roosevelt University
• Service learning opportunity
• Rights and responsibilities of community living
• Panel discussion with faculty members

11
Class Topics

• How to be successful at Roosevelt (test taking
  note taking study habits time and stress
  management using the Library how to write a
  paper Academic Success Center and tutoring)
• Alcohol and healthy choices
• Understanding and respecting differences

12
Class Topics

• Wellness and balance (health, health
  relationships, fitness and nutrition)
• Financial management
• Library component
• Pathways to a professional life and leadership
• Exploring your community (culture, history,
  neighborhoods, safety issues)

13
Expected Results

• Increase in retention rate
• Increase in level of satisfaction with Roosevelt
  University
• Classroom evaluations of First Year Experience
  will guide future classes

14
Orientation

• Angela Ryan, Coordinator
• Enrollment and Student Services staff assisting

15
Logistics

• Admission Office will notify Advising of new
  admits
• Advising will administer the RUA
• Advising will notify new students of appropriate
  Orientation dates during the advising appointment

16
Logistics

• Different program for new freshmen and transfer
  students
• New freshmen will have a day-long program
• Transfer students will have evening programs
• Orientation dates offered throughout the summer
  with a two-day celebration right before the
  semester begins

17
New Freshmen

• Group and individual meeting with Academic
  Advisor
• Several breakout sessions, including Residence
  Life, Student Activities, Academic Success
  Center, TRiO, Counseling Center, Career Center,
  Student Accounts and Library
• Tour and IDs

18
Transfer Students

• Will have already been advised, but advisors will
  be on-hand for questions
• Orientation similar to Graduate Orientation with
  a Power Point presentation explaining services
• Goal to eventually have an on-line version of
  Orientation for students who cannot attend

19
Our Goal

• To provide a warm, inviting environment for all
  new students
• To increase student retention
• To provide the same types of learning and social
  opportunities as our competition