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What Is A Non-Traditional Student At Illinois State University?

This research explores the treatment of non-traditional students at Illinois State University (ISU) and Heartland Community College (HCC), specifically focusing on the lack of online or evening classes for non-traditional students at ISU. It also examines the various definitions of non-traditional students and suggests recommendations for ISU to better support this student population.

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What Is A Non-Traditional Student At Illinois State University?

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  1. What Is A Non-Traditional Student At Illinois State University? Andrew J Chamberlain ajchamb@ilstu.edu

  2. Reason Behind Research • Personally a non-traditional student at Heartland Community College and Illinois State University • Interested in the difference between HCC’s and ISU’s treatment of non-traditional students • A noted lack of online or evening classes for myself

  3. ISU Adult Learner Services An independent student; Employed full-time; A person with dependents; A person who as a result of a death or divorce, is now single and wishes to complete a degree program; A commuter student (you live off-campus) and will commute to campus to attend class; or A veteran of the United States military who recently returned to the civilian world after serving in the armed forces. Non-Traditional Student Association Commutes 10 or more miles to campus (from home OR work) OR Is a parent of dependent children OR Is married OR Is a veteran OR Is three or more years older than classmates (e.g., a 21+ year-old freshman, a 24+ year-old senior) Competing Non-Traditional Student Definitions At ISU

  4. Official Numbers ISU Uses • ISU’s Fall 2007 Enrollment • 17,885 Undergraduates • ISU’s Adult Learner Website Statement of number of Non-Traditional Students • 2,354 Students Listed As Non-Traditional (Website fails to differentiate between Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

  5. That means that the student body is potentially 13% Non-Traditional!

  6. Why The Various Definitions?And Just What The Heck Is A Non-Traditional Student Anyway?

  7. ISU is a traditional student school Because of above, ISU assumes non-traditional students will assimilate themselves into the traditional student body This assumption means ISU does not offer much specifically for non-traditional students Therefore, Non-traditional students eitherassimilate into a traditional student body or feel excluded while at ISU Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

  8. The school definition of a non-traditional student is ineffective… A non-traditional student is any student that believes their student process is different from the norm The Office of Enrollment and Academic Services will assist any student who considers themselves non-traditional, regardless of school coding ISU Non-Trad Advisor

  9. “My professor doesn’t understand my situation/ time restrictions/ ____” Open communication with professor Meet with the department chair Take additional steps above the department chair Recurring Problems For Non-Traditional Students

  10. “I’m struggling through adjustment to a new environment” Put student in contact with faculty in the Mentor/ Mentee program Direct student to peer support groups (Non-Traditional Student Association, Women’s Mentoring Network) Recurring Problems For Non-Traditional Students

  11. “I can’t get the classes I need to advance/ graduate” Speak with the department academic advisor to see if something can be worked out Redirect the student to other local 4-year options Recurring Problems For Non-Traditional Students

  12. ISU Non-Traditional Student • Attended multiple schools • Received Associate’s Degree • Worked Full-Time • More than 3 years older than traditional age in school • Financially Independent • Doesn’t consider himself Non-Traditional

  13. ISU Non-Traditional Student • What Could ISU Do To Help Him? • A non-traditional student lounge with comfortable beds and warm milk so that he doesn’t get grumpy between 4:00 and 5:00 • Classes scheduled around syndicated Matlock and Murder, She Wrote episodes

  14. Are a majority of non-traditional students at ISU more concerned with getting a degree than creating a sense of community?

  15. Or Is This The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Showing Itself?

  16. A Non-Traditional Student at Illinois State University cannot be defined simply; they can ONLY be identified on a case by case basis!

  17. Recommendations For ISU • Non-Traditional Student Lounge • Allows for a sense of Non-Traditional Community • Gives a central meeting point for non-traditional students • Increases communication to non-traditional students who may not receive information otherwise

  18. Recommendations for ISU • Broaden Class Scheduling • Make 1/5th of all major required classes evening classes • Would increase flexibility of non-traditional scheduling • Does create accountability problems for departments: who would police this?

  19. What Is A Non-Traditional Student At Illinois State University? Andrew J Chamberlain ajchamb@ilstu.edu

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