1. The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College “Student Employment Initiative” The UTB/TSC Student Employment Initiative is part of the institution’s student retention and time to graduate strategy. This academic merit program serves approximately 80 eligible students per semester. The participants are full–time students that are employed in areas related to their field of study in more than 50 departments at UTB/TSC. The participants need to maintain a GPA of more than 2.75 and complete at least 15 credit hours per semester.

2. Eligibility Students must be enrolled in at least 15 semester credit hours (6 summer hours); Students must have and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA; Students will work in a job related to their major field of study for a maximum of 20 hours per week and for up-to 32 weeks each semester; Students will receive a wage of $7/hr, the Student Employment Initiative covers 75% of the salary ($5.25/hr) and the assigned department covers the remaining 25% ($1.75/hr). For FY08, the hourly rate increased to $8.00.

3. Work Experience The Student Employment Initiative participants serve in more than 50 departments at UTB/TSC and perform a myriad of duties vital to the institution’s success, such as: Supplemental Instruction Leaders Program Support Peer Mentors/Tutors Peer Facilitators Lab Coordinators Instructor Assistants

4. Student Employment Initiative Performance by Semester PARTICIPATIONENROLLMENTGPARETENTION Cohort Number of Participants Semester Hours Completed Semester GPA Cumulative GPA Student Retention Fall 20053115.683.3743.282100.00% Spring 20067515.693.1763.25797.22% Fall 20067615.533.3113.282100.00% Spring 20078115.273.2983.279N/A

5. Benchmarks