1. RFY Update for Faculty Senate
February 21, 2017

2. RFY initiatives First Year Seminar Gateway Course Project
Growth and Belonging Mindset Training
Guided Pathways
Meta Majors
Retention Outreach
Team-based Advising
Transition Plan (part of the Enrollment Management Plan)

3. RFY initiatives First Year Seminar Gateway Course Project
Growth and Belonging Mindset Training
Guided Pathways
Meta Majors
Retention Outreach
Team-based Advising
Transition Plan (part of the Enrollment Management Plan)

4. Outreach to NEFs at risk for non-retention
With the assistance of our data team, we have identified NEFs who we believe are at risk for not returning in Fall 2017
Personal outreach by professional advisors helps students address academic, financial, and personal barriers to their success, and also to promote a sense of belonging in our community
Advisors are paired with Financial Aid officers to create student support teams.
Initiative was a collaboration of University College, Advising and Student Transitions, Financial Aid, MSS, Student Life and Development, Faculty, SRDs, Residential Life, and Institutional Research (OSPE)

5. Team-based advising
Beginning in Fall 2017, each NEF will be assigned to a team consisting of the following:
a professional advisor
a Financial Aid staff member
a Career Center staff member
Additional team members will be added as appropriate:
MSS, Residential Life, Veterans Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, etc.
Transition to a faculty advisor (i.e., subject-matter expert) in a major by Term Three

6. Meta majors: definition
Meta majors are clusters of related academic programs designed to assist new entering undecided students make active and informed decisions about major selection.

7. Meta majors: functions
to alleviate choice paralysis and promote earlier selection of a major
to promote a sense of purpose early in a student’s academic career

8. Meta majors: functions
To help students with multiple interests narrow their focus
To help students in high-demand majors or majors with rigorous admission criteria consider related fields
e.g., Nursing, Engineering
To minimize the number of credits at graduation beyond 120
To help prospective students and their families consider academic options before matriculation

9. Meta majors: functions
To improve retention and persistence, as indicated by studies at two- and four-year institutions
To improve four- and six-year graduation rates
currently at 18% and 44%, respectively
To promote a cohesive, intentional LEP experience that aligns with institutional goals (OHC, Strategic Plan Refresh)

10. Meta major as Entry point
Two entry points into academic life at SCSU
Direct declare/Intended for students who have a clear idea of what they want to study (~2/3 of NEFs)
Meta majors for students who are still deciding which academic area to pursue (~1/3 of NEFs)
Changing majors and meta majors is still possible
Proportions could shift.

11. Role of initial advising
Advising and Registration Days
Short, friendly assessment at the start of each event to gauge students’ interest
Schedule generation
In consultation with the student, a professional or faculty advisor builds a schedule that recognizes the importance of
Taking focus courses in area(s) of primary interest
Exploring new subjects
Completing the LEP
Construction of a second semester schedule will follow the same practice
End-of-day assessment to gauge students’ experience with the selection process
Helps students who are in the wrong area learn that earlier and make a change before they spend too long.

12. From meta major to major
Possible transition milestones
Advising structured by a first-year guided pathway
Gear Up/Major fairs in fall and spring
Faculty, upper-division students, advisors, career counselors, Student Life and Development staff, SRDs, and others
Workshops on choosing a major and career

13. Meta Major models Arizona State University
Architecture and Construction
Health and Wellness
Arts
Humanities
Business
Interdisciplinary Studies
Communication and Media
Law, Justice, and Public Service
Computing and Mathematics
Science
Education and Teaching
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Engineering and Technology
Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
STEM
Exploratory

14. Meta Major models Georgia State University Humanities Business Arts
Natural Sciences
Health Sciences
Social Sciences
Education
Exploratory
Policy Studies

15. Meta Major models University of Nevada - Reno STEM
Business and Communications
Liberal Arts
Health and Education

16. Some questions
What meta majors make sense for SCSU students? What should we call them so that they’re useful and transparent?
Should we create additional resources to help students choose meta majors, majors, and courses during Advising and Registration Days?
How else can we assist students in choosing a major during their first year?
Public Service