Retention of good students
enforce all rules consistantly
Enforcing the rules keeps everything fair. One of the keys to success for this is, communication between departments, faculty and staff. If we all enforce and abide by these rules, the students should follow our lead and help in consistency.
Clearly an unacceptable situation, Manuel. Is there a protocol in place to address these inconsistencies? If not, why not and what can you do to work toward a solution?
It seems we all agree that consistancy is very important. However, it is hard to be consistant when other support departments change decisions made by the instructors. Usually that makes us look like the bad guy. One problem I have seen is rules being ignored by others to keep retention numbers up. The other students see that and causes a domino effect. Either they are discouraged or they act out since "they got away with it".
Being lax on the rules and SOP's can only decrease retention. Sooner or later, a student who has been able to do as he/she pleases, ends up with a strict instructor. Then, the student becomes dissatisfied as the strict instructor attempts to enforce the rules that the student should have been following all along. I'm not saying that everyone should be an unflexible "drill seargent", but when there is inconsistent enforcement, it only leads to unhappy students.
No disagreement from me. I feel that if students are allowed to skirt the rules in the name of retention the cost will be heavy in terms of students leaving just because they do not want to put up with the poor behavior of others.
I agree tony . We as instructers have an obligation to be entertaining, fair, fun, and
maintain a nurturing and consistant learning environment and still do what we were hired for. Not an easy task when presented with students that didn't grow up having to walk the line so to speak. So I agree with your assesment of inconsistency. I beleive no matter what path you choose relaxed or strict consistancy is key and maybe even a little tough love along with some compasion.
I cannot agree more with you. When we have inconsistency we are asking for a black eye. Students are very quick to point out any inconsistency as unfair. Standards need to be consistent. We do however do have to walk the fine line from enforcing standards to being caring individuals that truly want what is best for the students. It can seem like a grey area at times. I would like to think that if I make an error it would be in what is in the best interest of the student
