I think the class picture is a really neat idea. Also, our instructors are bucking at the idea of having to "telesit"; call students who obviously don't want to be there. It helps to get the perspective/idea of having an admissions rep call them since the trust there has already been built. I would like to run this by our DOE. It would breed more openness as well since the person making the phone call is not the same one who is giving them a grade.
We often host a student luncheon during their first month. We have continuous entry so it is hard to always plan for the first week. We find most students attend this and they have an opportunity to mix with students from other classes.
Bryon,
I agree with you in that students have the ability to retain their peers. Students are able to assist each other in ways that faculty and staff may not because of professional boundaries. It is important that all resources are employed in retention, and students can certainly be a resource.
Natasha
I think that my school could certainly benefit from sharing a parallel orientation process with late enrollees. Students who attend orientation have an advantage and I think that all departments can get involved to properly welcome late enrollees throughout their first week. Having a smaller scale orientation for late enrollments would be a great addition to what we already have in place for acclimating new starts.
We take a picture of each student in a cap and gown at orientation. We then post these pictures on our future graduate board. The boards says "If I can see it, then I can be it." All students look for their picture on this board, even the ones that protested having it taken.
I am the Director of Education at my school. If we have a late start (we always do) I take thier ID picture, their cap & gown picture and get their books for them. I also try to be there to walk them to class and introduce them to their instructor.
We used to hold a brief gathering of all new starts and show them where the resource center is and ask them how things are going and things like that. We would have some simple snack such as cookies and milk/juice. I think that we should implement that again.
Food is good...always gets people involved and interacting in an informal way. Using some type of activity like this during mid-terms and finals is also a good ice breaker.
The buddy system can be highly effective, especially if you make the 'buddies' in to a special program where they are recognized for this effort. Give them some training...certificates at the end, etc.
Susan
We will absolutley implement the buddy system for all late enrollments. These are the highest at-risk students for dropping. We will also bring food to the campus during start week to celebrate the decision the new students have made to train for a new career.
Susan--
This is wonderful...then students feel like they are already in class before they arrive.
Susan
We take there photo for their name badge and give them all there class materials.
I think that within the first week the students will start forming alliances with one another. This would be a good time to have them choose a buddy, so that they can help each other succceed. Driving together, possibly studying together, and in general make sure that each other are doing O.K.
We have had informal "touching base" meetings with new students on Day 3; both admissions and education take part. This has helped us identify students who may be struggling with the transition to school, feeling overwhelmed, etc. Instructors always try to personally interact with each new student on a daily basis to answer questions and help with transitions to school.
We use a mentor/buddy system to jump start our First week experience. Our programs are short-term so that first week is vital to our program outcome.
This is where we are lacking. Those last minute enrollments are slipping through not going to orienation and they are the first to drop! I like the idea of having a group orientation in week one! We are not doing anything for these folks and it is effecting keeping them for sure! I will get with my director on this. Also, I liked using the class picture in the front of the room to make them feel like a part is great!
Kevin Asberry
Most people do this at orientation...the sooner the better from a retention standpoint.
Susan
I love this idea! Thanks!
Your buddy system...At what stage in the students training do you start to pair them with new students?
I like the idea of having the orientation with food. I have recommended to the orientation committee to have this term's orientation with a luncheon included. The faculty and alumni would serve as servers.
During the first week at our institution the students all meet with the Campus Director. During this meeting the Director "takes their temperature," and gets to know them as much as you can in short meeting. Then he lets them know the student is a welcome addition to the college. This meeting makes the student feel like they really are part of the college.
Thanks, Melissa. What type of clubs, socials and events do you sponsor?
Dr. Stover
We too coordinate an "activity hour" three days a week for students to hold club meetings, attend socials or other events. I like your idea of holding a Q and A session after the first week of classes in order to find out their likes and dislikes of the facilities and faculty.
The information could be used by many different deparments for quality control.
Great idea
