Supporting Students – The Missing Links? Katrina Castle and Hazel Christie Student Advisers Wider Access and Retention Services Edinburgh Napier University

? Why Look for the Missing Links? determine whether all groups of students are accessing academic support or retention focussed guidance concern over young, male students and a reluctance to access guidance – resulting in increased withdrawal rates from university to look at developing academic skills and guidance provision to attract these “disengaging” groups

One-to-One Retention Service impartial and confidential advice service offered to students at risk of withdrawing advice provided by a variety of methods:  pre-booked interviews   telephone Academic Skills Workshops open to all students in the university cover range of academic skills participatory ethos

How Do Students Find Their Way? One-to-One Retention Service majority of students self-refer  all student  Thinking of Leaving web page on Student Portal small, but increasing number, referred by academic staff other support staff and NSA Academic Skills Workshop students have to opt-in  weekly ‘Academic Skills: What’s On?’  Links from student portal  Lots of groupies!

Edinburgh Napier (2009/10) Total student population:  Total 17,605; 14,008 on campus  Undergraduate: 14,533 ( FT 78%; PT 22%)  Taught Postgraduate: 2,851 (FT 40%; PT 60%)  Research Postgraduate : 221 (FT 51%; PT 49%) Students using Service  One-to-one retention service302 enquiries / 217 individuals  Academic Skills workshops663 attendees / 287 individuals Only going to consider UG and TPG students

Student Gender (%)

Student Age Group (%)

Fee Status (%)

Undergraduate or Taught Postgraduate (%)

Disclosed Disability (%)

 Do the students contacting the one-to-one service match the profiles of the students using similar services or seeking support at your institution?  Are there any surprises in the profile of students? Do You See What We See?

Finding the Missing Links...  How do you identify and engage the “at risk” students who are disengaging from university life?  Do we need to consider new methods of promoting services and informing students of available support?  Can different delivery methods significantly increase participation and engagement?  What works for you?