Student Involement in Retention
Our instituition is lock step. Faculty have a great deal of influence over retention. Another group not mention is a student's peers. What about group assignments, with fixed groups (that rotate over time) with students enhancing a peer's attendance (through phone calls if needed) as well as with one's peers' enthusiasm?
Faculty can help fight against outside influences by setting a positive outlook for everything that they are involved in. When I have a problem or a part break in my class I turn that in to a positive by telling them how exciting it is to troubleshoot and repair the problem.
Students also need to be involved in their own retention by seeking help early, have regular attendance, and use the resources suggested.
Another group that can be both positive and negative in a students retention are people outside of school, usually family and friends. Students must fight hard against all the forces pulling them out of school.
Frank--
The peer idea is a good one. In many cases, they have much more influence than faculty or staff!
Susan
