1. Retention in the Faculty of Arts Yvonne Bottomley David Henderson Penny Hyland Kylie Kapeller

2. University background… University of Tasmania Established 1890 (4th oldest) Amalgamation with TSIT, AMC Income: HECS, FFPOS, grants, consultancies Growth Reputation enhanced More flexibility in program offerings Economies of scale for teaching Job retention More $ through Government funding eg, via HECS, funds for good teaching etc.

3. Growth - advantages, challenges How to grow? New students Improve retention of current students Advantages for UTas Only University in the State Has distinctive programs Dean’s commitment: University has to educate the population, not just an elite group Challenges to Growth Low follow-on rates from School to Uni Low rate of people continuing onto Year 12 Students choose to travel Transfer to interstate Universities Buoyant economy 2005 Nelson reforms to higher education

4. Tasmania Total population 484, 700 Hobart 206,000 98,000 Launceston 19,000 + 24,000 Burnie / Devonport

5. Campus Information University EFTSU/EFSLE (August 2006) Total12,054(19,063 bodies) Hobart7,612 Launceston3,917 Cradle Coast315 Other210 Arts Faculty EFTSU/EFSLE (August 2006) Total2,954(4,783 bodies) Hobart2,066 Launceston760 Cradle Coast72 Other56

6. Interactive Session How does your University compare?

7. Retention Rates in Faculty of Arts History of research into retention rates Since the 1950s Universities have been grappling with the issues Major common themes include Financial pressures Part-time and full-time work Academic issues including teaching quality Course choice Personal problems/commitments Academic failure

8. Information on our attrition rates General overall attrition rates for UTas Arts Faculty Attrition Bachelor of Arts Attrition School of Sociology Attrition Comparison between the campuses

9. UTas Enrolments

10. UTas EFSL by Campus

11. UTas Attrition by Campus in EFSL

12. Arts Faculty EFSL

13. Arts Faculty % Attrition by Census

14. BA EFSL by Campus by Census

15. BA % Attrition by Campus/Census

16. BA Sociology EFSL by Campus/Census

17. BA Sociology % Attrition by Campus/Census

18. Interactive What are the dimensions of attrition at your institution? Are the trends similar or different? Did you suffer high attrition in Sem1 05? If so, what is the reason? Have your attrition rates improved remarkably this year? If so, what is the reason?

19. The Past ( 2004 and earlier) Paper based and more personal service Enrolment Sessions Orientation too complicated Communication with students

20. 2005 Changes 2005 UTas went online (except for enrolment) Courses & Units Handbook online only Communication by email Re-enrolment forms Enrolment/Variation Statements; Fee Statements Exams Graduation

21. Responses to change Enrolment Session (new students) Bulk emails Help Desk Orientation 9 enrolment session (3 December, 3 January, 3 February) General Enrolment Information Session (new) –Costs of coming to Uni –“What now” session outlining administrative side to Uni ie enrolment, confirmation fees, how to enrol, read a timetable etc., HECS-HELP, support services. Faculty/degree specific session (new)

22. Catalyst Project - Launceston Catalyst - pilot program in sem 2 2005 Embedding Student Transition Support Officers within the Faculty Aims to: Implement transition and support programs Provide direct assistance and “just in time” information Facilitate referral and access to complementary services Support staff in meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse cohort of students Identify issues and concerns

23. Catalyst Activities Orientation sessions Student Mentor Program Information Booths and “Ask Me” campaign Faculty specific developmental activities

24. Benefits of Catalyst program are Tailored support program Provision of direct support and referrals Provision of immediate support and assistance Development of close working relationships with both faculty administrative and teaching staff Establishment of links between central services and faculties

25. Outcomes/Evaluation Outcomes: Orientation sessions - 340 students Faculty specific mentors - 70 trained Student queries - 1203 handles Study related workshops - 59 conducted Very positive feedback Evaluation: Continuing Future of Catalyst program?

26. Interactive How is your institution dealing with retention? What measures have you put in place? How effective are they? How have you measured the effectiveness? Are there programs you would like to run? What barriers are there to implementation?