“ Change is Coming”: An Approach to Working with Re-enrolled Students in Academic Difficulty Erik Colon, Academic Advisor Michelle Jones, Academic Advisor Harpur College, Binghamton University

Session Overview  Advising in Harpur College  Harpur College Policies  Re-enrolled Program  Data  Strengths/Challenges  Future Growth  Discussion

Academic Advising in Harpur College  Housed within Harpur College 1 of 5 colleges at SUNY Binghamton Liberal Arts school 7,500 undergraduates in Harpur 11,515 undergraduate students at SUNY Binghamton  Academic Advising: Dual advising structure: general advising & faculty advising No assigned advisors

Harpur College Policies  Probation: cumulative GPA less than 2.0  Suspension: Academic Dismissal Index (ADI) After probation, cannot raise cumulative GPA above the ADI are suspended for at least 2 semesters*  Dismissal: Return from suspension and still cannot raise GPA above the ADI Permanent and cannot return to the university

Re-Admit Program: Getting Started  Target Student Population: spent more than one semester away from the university cumulative GPA below 2.0  Invite them via to meet with Erik or Michelle  Students called or ed us to make an appointment

Re-Admit Program: Meeting Objectives  Review college policies & deadlines  Discuss what happened in previous semesters  Discuss what they learned/reflected upon while they were away from campus Are they pursuing the right major? Study habits? Social interactions &/or campus involvement  Encourage them to continue to meet with us Establish a degree plan Stress importance of campus resources Discuss future goals

Data  Fall ’07 Invited: 55 Responded:22 # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:  Spring ’08 Invited: 64 Responded: 20 (4 returners) # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:  Fall ’08 Invited: 51 Responded: 31 (8 returners) # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:  Spring ’09 Invited: 27 Responded: 7 (5 returners) # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:

Strengths of Re-Admit Program  Student/Advisor connection  Review of policies  Timing

Challenges We Faced  Data is not always accurate  Students ignore  Program is not mandatory

Future Growth  Improvements: Increase awareness around campus Develop mid-year reports for students  Ultimate Goals: Make program mandatory Conditionally re-admit students

Discussion  What programs or techniques have worked for your institution to target “academically at-risk students?”