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Alternatives to Dismissal: Giving Students One More Chance Yovan Reyes Ann Von Thron. Facts & Figures Private, Comprehensive University 6,900 students enrolled – undergraduate & graduate Approximately 50% of students from Florida with two thirds of those from the Tampa Bay area
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Alternatives to Dismissal: Giving Students One More Chance Yovan Reyes Ann Von Thron
Facts & Figures • Private, Comprehensive University • 6,900 students enrolled – undergraduate & graduate • Approximately 50% of students from Florida with two thirds of those from the Tampa Bay area • Students from 50 states and approximately 100 countries • 65% of full-time students live in campus housing • Approximately 1,500 degrees conferred annually
Academic Advising • Dual Model: Faculty Based Advising & Central Academic Advising Office for all four colleges • Undergraduate students • New student registration • Assignment and Support of Faculty Advisors • Manage Academic Appeals • Class for at-risk students • Support academic component of ROTC
Undergraduate Retention Standards Up to 16 hours attempted Good standing........................................................ 2.0 or higher Academic warning.......................................................Below 2.0 17-59 hours attempted Good standing........................................................ 2.0 or higher Academic warning.......................................................1.75-1.99 Academic dismissal.....................................................Below 1.75 60-93 hours attempted Good standing........................................................ 2.0 or higher Academic warning.......................................................1.95-1.99 Academic dismissal.....................................................Below 1.95 94 or more hours attempted Good standing........................................................ 2.0 or higher Academic dismissal.......................................................Below 2.0
Summary of Academic Dismissal Process • In the past, faculty Academic Appeals Committee met at end of each term to make dismissal decisions • UAAO now reviews and makes recommendations on students in dismissal range • Faculty committee affirms those decisions and decides on unusual cases • The options are dismissal or semester option probation • Semester Option Seminar (S.O.S.) • Academic Skills course (ASK 100) • All receive some sort of prescription
Semester Option Seminar (S.O.S.) The Early Years • Origins of the program • Outgrowth of UAAO’s involvement in academic appeals process • Pilot program in 1998, posted as a course in 2001 • Pattern of well-prepared students based on high school GPAs and test scores but falling into Dismissal range • Need for something more than study skills training • Student Focused: motivation , personal, mental health • Connect to the university and have a support system
The S.O.S. Student Profile over the past 10 years • Completed two or more successful semesters • Traditional-aged students • Average Class Size: 14 students • Average high school GPA: 2.75 • Average SAT of 1000
The S.O.S. Model • Taught by Academic Advisors • Weekly Class Meetings – 14 weeks for 0 credit • Stress Time Management • Instructor Progress Reports • Connections to Key Campus Personnel
Guest Speakers • Vice President • Deans • Faculty • Support Services • Academic Advising Office • Academic Center for Excellence • Career Services • Health and Wellness Center • Saunders Writing Center
The S.O.S. Class • What Do Your Professors Expect? • Individual Meetings with Students • GPA Calculation • Pre-Registration • Personal Goals and Career Choices • Identifying Students’ Support Systems • Understanding Retention and Dismissal Standards
Does S.O.S. Equal Success? • 10 Years of Results
Students persist at a high rate directly after enrolled in course
Top 10 Majors 1 – Management 2 – Criminology 3 – Communications 4 – Psychology 5 – Marketing 6 – Undecided 7 – Exercise Science 8 – Sports Management 9 – Government & World Affairs 10 – Liberal Studies
Limitations • More in-depth research on: • Gaining SAT/ACT and high school GPA information for Transfer Students – not required for Admission • On-Campus vs Off-Campus • Financial Aid Implications • How involved on-campus/organizations/activities • U.S. vs International
Conclusion • The majority of students persist at a high rate directly after taking the course • Transfers graduate at a higher rate than non-transfers • Male students persist at a higher rate than females, however females graduate at a higher rate • Session and cumulative GPAs increase after taking course • Students continue to enroll beyond the class but ultimately have trouble graduating • We are able to retain a high percentage of students that would have otherwise been dismissed
How Can We Do Better? • Keep tracking and checking in with students after course taken • More collaboration with Career Planning • Better outcomes for females • Involve successful past participants in programming
Background • STEP UP is a comprehensive summer program for students that are at risk of dismissal from the University • Focuses on Personal and Academic skill development • Designed for unfocused distracted or immature students who have a desire to be successful
Issues • The University of Tampa has a well established faculty review process to provide second and even third chances for students facing academic dismissal • The summer program is more viable and academically vigorous • This program seeks to augment the process by providing services to students offered semester option probation
Opportunities • The STEP UP program will help integrate available summer resources in ACE and Student Success for a defined target population. • Faculty and advisors will now have an integrated summer program to recommend for students that may need help.
