The Issues and The Action Plan August 2008 Partneringfor Student Success

With the assistance of a higher education retention consultant, RTF members identified key issues and developed strategies and action plans to address their concerns. Partnering for Student Success is the result of their work. Between 2006 and August 2008, Partnering for Student Success was developed by faculty, staff & administrators on two campuses who served on a Retention Task Force (RTF). The RTF was led by Teresa Branch, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Arlene Walker-Andrews, Associate Provost,with critical support from Bob Duringer, Vice President for Administration and Finance. Between 2006 and August 2008, Partnering for Student Success was developed by faculty, staff & administrators on two campuses who served on a Retention Task Force (RTF). The RTF was led by Teresa Branch, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Arlene Walker-Andrews, Associate Provost, with critical support from Bob Duringer, Vice President for Administration and Finance. Previous retention initiatives have helped The University of Montana maintain its reputation as an excellent, student-oriented institution. Partnering for Student Success builds on those past efforts and proposes new programs and initiatives A Brief History

GOAL Improve student success Improve student success at The University of Montana. METRIC top quartile UM will consistently place in the top quartile of public, research- intensive institutions. Partnering for Student Success

1 st to 2 nd Year Retention Rate: 6-Year Graduation Rate 1-Year Retention Rate- COT Completion Rate - COT ~71% 80% 45%57% 43% 60% TARGETS Partnering for Student Success

ISSUES* K-12 Preparation for college Transition to college Integrated early curriculum Student engagement Student support Faculty & staff development Partnering for Student Success * with examples

ISSUE K-12 Preparation for college Ensure Adequate Student Preparation Partnering for Student Success Example: Identify specific learning outcomes for a college-prep high school curriculum Example: Create embedded assessment tools used across Montana Example: Investigate feasibility of electronic high school transcripts Example: Implement a “Preparing for College” communication program for pre-high school students, parents & schools Example: Continue development of Programs of Study with high schools

ISSUE Transition to college Obtain BOR Approval for Admissions Standards that are appropriate for College-Level Work Partnering for Student Success Develop/Implement Accurate Placement Systems Enhance Orientation Communications Improve Affordability Review Business Policies and Procedures re: Retention Examples: Introduce online math placement for new, transfer students; evaluate accuracy of placement systems

ISSUE Integrated early curriculum Introduce the Context-Based, “Big Questions” Curriculum Partnering for Student Success Provide Access to Developmental Coursework for Under-prepared Students Expand Winter Session coursework Example: Create a more intentional undergraduate experience starting with the First Year that integrates with General Education

ISSUE Student engagement Offer Co-curricular Opportunities Partnering for Student Success Plan for Living/Learning Communities Raise “Millennial Generation” Awareness throughout campus community Example: Increase number, variety of service learning, civic engagement, study/work abroad, undergrad research opportunities and internships

ISSUE Student support Establish an Office for Academic Success. Partnering for Student Success Implement Special Programming for At-Risk Students Examples: Targeted support programs for struggling student; Careers courses for Undecided students Expand Early Alert Interventions Expand Support for Nontraditional Students Expand Support for Students of Color Example: Online orientation for nontraditional, returning students

ISSUE Faculty & staff development Fund Innovations in Teaching and Learning Projects Partnering for Student Success Offer Staff Training on student success issues Improve Campus Communication about student success Offer Multicultural Training Example: Offer training for faculty, grad students in multicultural teaching, advising

Progress Monitoring & Reporting Schedule Units Report Milestones Deadline for units to report achievement of milestone targets; Quarterly Report issued 15 days later. Units Report on Annual Progress Deadline for units to report on annual progress and proposed modifications to Plan. Annual Progress Report published. Partnering for Student Success

The Issues and The Action Plan August 2008 Partneringfor Student Success