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Does Saint Louis University have a problem retaining undergraduate students? The answer depends on what constitutes a "problem."
Saint Louis University has approximately a 62 percent graduation rate for undergraduates who start as freshmen. That means that slightly fewer than two out of three students enrolled as freshmen will stay until graduation. By the end of the last academic year (1996-97), the University had lost about 12 percent of the entering class.
"As the numbers go, ours are not exceptionally bad," said Dr. Ned Harris, associate academic vice president. "They are about average for universities of similar stature, but they should be better, particularly since our recent classes have improved in quality and become more residential."
In keeping with the overall University mission, more attention must be given to establishing strong bonds with our students. Last year, Academic Vice President Michael Garanzini, SJ, and Harris focused attention on retention by charging Assistant Academic Vice President Dr. Celerstine B. Johnson with developing a plan for retention management.
"Although retention is not an overwhelming problem, the University hopes that appropriate steps now will ensure that we find ways to help more students complete their degrees," Garanzini said.
To focus that concern and give direction to the effort, Johnson organized and served as a resource for the Retention Management Committee. Dr. Shirley Behr, chair of the department of occupational therapy, and Dr. Dennis Wacker, professor in the department of science and mathematics, co-chaired the committee.
In December, the Retention Management Committee presented its first- year progress report to Garanzini. The report represented the work of 19 individuals from throughout the University. "It contains recommendations designed to help students quickly and effectively establish strong and lasting social and academic bonds with their university community," Johnson said.
To find out how to facilitate the graduation of more students from Saint Louis University, the committee needed to learn what factors first bring them here, what their expectations are, and how the students are being incorporated into the community. In October, with the cooperation of the English department's Drs. Thomas Moisan and Vincent Casaregola, a survey was administered to 745 first-year students enrolled in the English 150, 190 and 192 classes.
"The goal of the survey was to obtain early impressions from entering students about their expectations, their experiences and their motivations," Johnson said. "Follow-up surveys are planned to assess changes in student expectations and experiences. The final results of those surveys are forthcoming."
Early in the process, the Retention Management Committee established four subcommittees, each identifying a variety of potential retention issues in a given area while focusing on a single, primary issue. Three of the subcommittees were able to present specific proposals at the end of the first year. The Subcommittee on Institutional Climate will present its proposal later this year, once information has been gathered and distilled from students.
The Subcommittee on Student Academic Issues found that the earlier and more thoroughly students are oriented to the University community, the more likely they are to connect and persist. To effectively encourage both academic and social integration into the community, the subcommittee suggests that the existing SLU 101 program be enhanced to attract even more participation. Ideally, the committee suggests that the orientation program should be mandatory for all students.
The Subcommittee on Institutional Academic Issues proposes a faculty mentoring program to assure that all incoming students connect with at least one faculty member in a department or program of interest. The proposal also is designed to encourage academic departments to develop activities to bring faculty and students together in settings outside of the classroom. The committee found that several departments already have begun efforts along these lines, and because this strategy is used successfully at many other universities, other departments are encouraged to pursue such activities. Under the proposal, each academic department would designate a departmental advising coordinator who would oversee departmental efforts to improve faculty-student contact, including academic advising.
The Student Social Issues Subcommittee found that a comprehensive effort to aid students in making the transition into university life would be best served through a required freshman or first-year student seminar that would deal with student development and academic issues in a classroom setting. The freshman seminar could increase student contact with faculty, staff and fellow students, and facilitate a positive atmosphere in which a freshman student could find encouragement as a part of the larger University community. The committee recommends that the class be offered as an eight-week, mandatory, zero-credit, pass-fail course, so as not to interfere with core requirements. Each class of about 25 students would lead discussions and encourage interaction.
The Retention Management Committee report represents only the first step in an on-going commitment to improve student retention at Saint Louis University. Members of the committee have committed to three years of service in this effort. The timing of this initial report and its proposals coincide with the report of the First-Year Task Force, co-chaired by Dr. Eleonore Stump (philosophy) and J. J. Mueller, SJ (theological studies). Because both reports address related matters, the Retention Management Committee has been asked to identify areas in which common concerns might be addressed in a single plan.
Interested faculty, staff and administration are invited to read the full report of the Retention Management Committee, which is available for review on the World Wide Web site www.slu.edu/organizations. "From the beginning of the project, the committee has sought input from a wide representation of the university community," Johnson said. "The quality of Saint Louis University's retention management effort will depend on the concerted effort of the entire community. Those who have questions, suggestions, ideas, additional information or helpful materials are encouraged to contact any member of the committee."
Other members of the Retention Management Committee are Leslye Ellison (Career Center), Kathy Humphrey (residence life), Phil Lyons (student life), Tim Delicath (enrollment and academic research), student Lisa Granich, Lise Keller (undergraduate admissions), Dr. Jean Russell (Professional Studies), Dr. John Severson (Academic Services Center), Dr. Larry Stacey (physics), Sr. Joy Jensen, student Kamisha Walker, Julie Rash (Academic Services Center), Dr. John Slosar (Social Service), Dr. Terry Tomazic (research methodology), Dr. Charles Murphy (Student Educational Services Center) and Bridget Cole (secretary for the committee).