The key to retention is early intervention.
We give the student advisements if they miss class so they always know where they stand.
it is a good thing for a lot of student to know where they stand, so by all means do get involved with students early and let them know they do matter.
We also give students advisments on time missed. We also advise them on how many times they come in late or leave early. Another thing that is just as important is advising them on their progress academically. I also suggest tutoring for struggling students.
We also give advisements to students so there is no surprise. But I also try to find out why the student is missing time or days; if it is something with in my power I will do all I can to help. we also have a student pantry for students that do not have something to eat they can get something there or even if they need gas money we let them collect cans or even loan them gas.
Dr. Jeffries--
You make several important points. Among them that we can never become lacks in our retention efforts and often we don't know there is a problem until it is significant. Also, we cannot under estimate the positive impact a mentoring relationship can have on our students.
Susan
I agree that early intervention is important to help get a pattern set for each student. We use calls, emails, post cards, Admissions Department personnel as well as Deans--expecially the Dean of Students. With that being stated, I have found that one should never "let their guard down" when it comes to retention. Many of our students have a vision, yet that vision soon becomes blurred when life gets in the way. This could be a fight with a significant other, electricity being turned off, legal issues, acute homelessness, sickness without insurance, among many, many other items. It is often a call from a trusted teacher that will bring a smile on a student's face,and the student will return to school. Not only is early intervention a key to retention, it is a continuous process.
Our team seems to be very good at calling and emailing students who do not show up. I will many times have the student say "Between you and Dr. Jefferies' calls I better come."
