Presidential Project:

Improving Graduation and Retention Rates—Academic Affairs

(1) All USG Institutions must have a first-year experience program (which may includes such things as advising, common readings, common courses, convocations, first-year seminars, learning communities, mentoring, orientation, peer leaders, summer programs, service learning, supplemental instruction)

• System will conduct a survey of USG First Year Experience programs ($12,500 for system, $0 for campus)
• Participate in National Survey on Student Engagement ($200,000/?)
• Conduct an inventory of USG mid-term grade collection processes focused on freshmen ($12,500, $0)

(2) All USG Institutions must have a system in place that ensures adequate upper-division course availability for students

• Study upper-division course availability, identify courses will low success rates, put system in place that assures upper-division course availability ($13,000 for each campus)
• Identify gatekeeper courses with high failure rates ($13,000 for each campus)
• Two Year Schedule

(3) All USG Institutions must have a Student Employment Office

• Establish a Student Employment Office ($55,000 for each campus)
• Conduct an inventory of USG on-campus Employment Offices ($12,500/$0)

(4) All Academic departments (or divisions) must have an action plan for improving student retention which addresses target areas for improvement.

• Define “progression” as a term within USG ($0)
• Use National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to track student transfer patterns, attrition patterns ($18,000/$0)
• Examine current issues that may impact system-wide RPG discussions, including research considerations on individual campuses (such as: fixed for four, retention by major, risk factors) ($15,000/$15,000)
• Target areas for improvement of departmental retention rates (redesigned sections of courses, active learning, supplemental instruction, peer mentors, professionalism courses, orientation to major courses, FY learning communities)
• Pursue students who have not pre-registered or registered.
• Monitor RPG Rates ($13,000 for each campus)