Welcome to the Academic Probation Policy & Intervention Plan Adviser Training Module! Created by: Jill C. Kramer Academic Intervention Coordinator Academic Success Center Last Updated: December 2006 Adviser Training Module

This Training Module is divided into two parts with a summary and questions section after each. You may want to have a sheet of paper or a word document open to provide a summary of each section and to list questions, concerns or areas needing further explanation. Please share this summary and list of questions with the contact person listed at the end of the training. Your comments and questions are greatly appreciated!

Part I: New Academic Probation Policy

Background Creation of Academic Probation Task Force Problems with current/old policy: - the timing of quality point deficiencies triggering academic probation - the lack of a coordinated intervention system - the inconsistency between the university academic standards and those of student financial aid - multiple policies = confusion

Objectives Identify students who are not making satisfactory progress and place them on probation at the earliest point possible. Assist students on probation by requiring an intervention to identify and assist them with the academic challenges contributing to their poor performance. Maintain the integrity of the Iowa State University baccalaureate degrees. Academically dismiss students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress in a timely manner. Provide a second chance (reinstatement), thus giving students the opportunity to demonstrate change.

New Policy Focus & Objective The focus of the new Academic Probation Policy is to provide intervention at the first sign of academic difficulty. The objective of the new policy is to ensure that students succeed academically and graduate from Iowa State.

New Academic Probation Policy IF...THEN... Semester GPA is Academic Warning for next semester (W) Semester GPA is Academic Probation for next semester (P) 75+ credits attempted or earned & cum GPA <2.00 Academic Probation for next semester (P) On Warning status and earn <2.00 semester GPA Academic Probation for next semester (P)

Academic Probation Policy Website

FAQ’s Website

Summary 1.Necessity of a new policy: 2.New policy Objectives: 3.Summary of the new policy guidelines: 4.Questions/Concerns/Topics needing further explanation As part of this training module, we encourage you to summarize what you learned about the new academic probation policy. As always, we welcome questions or concerns. E mail them to

Part II: Academic Intervention

Role Play Think back to when you were a college student. Try to imagine that you are a student in being placed on probation. Now, as a student, think about the following: –How would you react to being placed on probation? –Why does Iowa State bother to place students on probation?

How do students react to being placed on probation? Emotional (affective): shame, anger, sadness, depression, embarrassment Rationalize (cognitive): Why me?, Blame others, Make excuses (parents inquire?) Physical (behavioral): Reflect on past behavior, seek help, lose interest and give up, engage in self-destructive activities or self-defeating thoughts

Why would Iowa State place students on probation? Thinking like a student… »Who cares? It is my business! 1.Punishment (student’s view) 2.Informative (context) 3.Outreach (intervention) 4.Retention (success) Iowa State cares about each student’s success!!!!!!!!!

Purpose of an Intervention 1.Review and explain the academic probation policy, ISU expectations and consequences. 2.Evaluate student’s academic situation and motivation or interest in college. 3.Change courses or career path. 4.Build relationship and trust between student and adviser as well as other ISU allies.

Intervention Plan End of semester – /AccessPlus notification of academic status. –A registration hold is placed on student’s future semester class registration until they meet with their academic adviser. Days 1-10 –Intervention meeting and plan of action discussion with academic adviser. –If student has not met with adviser by 10 th day of class, other campus allies will be asked to contact students to encourage that adviser meeting.

Intervention Plan continued… Days –*Engage other members of ISU community such as MLO’s, Residence Life, MSA, Scholarship programs, Athletics, Greek Affairs, etc. –Continue to require a meeting with academic adviser. Day 20+ –University interventions begin *Nothing takes the place of the academic adviser meeting. Students must see their adviser to get the hold removed.

Academic advisers are critical to the success of Iowa State students and the academic intervention program!

Advising is Key! “Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience.” ~Richard Light, 2001, Making the Most of Campus “Advising is viewed as a way to connect students to the campus and help them feel that someone is looking out for them.” ~George Kuh, 2005, Student Success in College “Academic Advising is the only structured activity on the campus in which all students have the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with a concerned representative of the institution.” ~Wes Habley, 1981, NASPA Journal

Purpose of the Adviser Meeting Goals of the adviser meeting include: –Evaluating current class schedule and making changes if needed. –Identifying factors from the previous semester that impacted student’s academic success. –Providing strategies and offering referrals to aid in academic success. –Connecting and building the relationship between student and academic adviser.

Purpose of the Self Assessment Completed (ideally) prior to meeting with academic adviser Student reflects, in advance, upon the factors which negatively affected their academic performance Identifies positive changes to be made for the current semester

Academic Self-Assessment Adviser and student together work out academic goals and a plan of action Adviser offers positive feedback and validates student’s plan of action Copy for student’s file and to reference during future meetings

Adviser Resources New Adviser Handbook –Printed December 2006 & available online New Academic Intervention Website – Academic Intervention Coordinator –Jill C. Kramer,

Workshops & Seminars offered in Spring 2007 Refer students to appropriate topic if needed –Advisers could require attendance of one or more prior to removing their registration hold. Dates and topics TBA and advertised via AdviserNews by January 8, Topics may include: –Career Exploration, Goal Setting/Accountability, Motivation, Test Taking, Study Habits/Skills, Mental & Physical Health, Time Management, Learning Styles, Midterm Recovery, etc.

Summary As part of this training module, we encourage you to summarize what you learned about the new academic intervention plan. As always, we welcome questions or concerns. * them to 1.Purpose of the Academic Intervention: 2.Purpose of the Advising meeting: 3.Resources available to advisers: 4.Questions/Concerns/Topics needing further explanation:

Contact Information Please contact the Academic Intervention Coordinator with any questions or comments! Jill C. Kramer Academic Intervention Coordinator

Thank you for participating in the online adviser training module! *Watch AdviserNews for future adviser information sessions, probation/intervention updates and the Spring 2007 Academic Success Strategies workshop schedule.