Faculty Involvement
I feel that this is a very important aspect of retention. We seem to focus so much on ensuring the new students get to know functional managers while forgetting that their most important interactions will be with their instructors on a daily basis. Instructors shape the student's opinion on the institution everytime they step into a classroom. To be honest, I cannot remember anything about the financial aid department or program chairs from my collegiate experience, but I list 5-10 instructors/professors who shaped my career path.
Laura,
Some institutions do pay faculty, others have them rotate attendance as part of their contract. It can be difficult to have them all there, but having one or two is a big help.
Susan Backofen
Another thing we have is an issue with instructors coming to orientation. They don't get paid for it and most students could have up to 3 different instructors at the start. That would require a lot of people coming to orientation. I wish the faculty could come and get paid since a lot are adjunct and are coming from other jobs.
I agree as well John. They need to see that instructors care outside of the classroom and come to events such as this. The students need to meet the instructors that they'll be dealing with on a regular basis. Like you said about FA for example, they won't remember names and the entire dept. isn't there, so they will meet them as needed, unlike the instructors.
John,
Exactly! Everyone needs to be focused on assisting the students, but faculty have a very unique opportunity to truly help students blossom!
Susan Backofen
Getting to know the instructors at our institution isn't a problem. Since we are a small school each student gets a lot of time with the teachers. Even though we aim for high enrollment, the small classes are a blessing to the students.
I agree with you, John. Also an opportunity to meet instructors at an informal venue is also important. I would be interested in getting a feel for how many faculty members function as mentors to students as well. This seems to me to be an excellent way of providing student support as a means of enriching the college experience and an additional way of increasing the retention of students.
