June 19, 2008

1. June 19, 2008 Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Higher Education Remediation, Retention and Graduation Rates

2. Good News, Bad News & Worse News July 25, 1997 Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board

4. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

5. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

6. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

7. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

8. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

9. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

10. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

11. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

12. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

13. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

14. Source: U. S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Edition – 1999, 2008

15. AppointedUA Retention Task Force

16. Auburn University Fact Finding Mission March 2000

17. Auburn Team Members • Dr. Charles Adams – Associate Dean, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Professor of English, chair of Retention Task Force • Dr. Johnetta Cross Brazzell – Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs • Ms. Arlene Cash – Dean of Enrollment Services • Ms. Joan Watkins – Executive Asst. to Chancellor • Dr. Dennis Brewer – Faculty Senator, Professor of Math • Dr. Gay Stewart – Assistant Professor, Physics • Dr. Charles Scifres – Dean of Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences • Dr. Kathy Van Laningham – Vice Provost for Planning, Director of Office of Institutional Research

18. UA Retention Efforts • R.O.C.K. (Razorback Outreach for Community and Knowledge) Camp for networking and transition for incoming freshmen in summer before they enter the UofA, “outward bound” like camp activities and instilling Razorback traditions • Enhanced Learning Center for academic support in the historically difficult core courses with tutoring and strong emphasis on supplemental instruction (hiring students to attend lectures and conduct tutoring sessions for lower level students)

19. UA Retention Efforts • Revision of probation and suspension policies from a required 2.0 cumulative GPA at end of first year to a phase in of required GPA to reach 2.0 by junior year as required to graduate • Academic Advising Council of both professional and faculty advisors to provide professional development, ensure consistency across colleges, and promote best advising practices

20. UA Retention Efforts • First Year Experience courses to orient students to improve academic skills and access support resources and to successfully transition into the UofA are now offered in each college, some within the context of the discipline such as engineering, business, architecture, and agriculture • Block scheduling to ensure students have at least two classes in common to promote networking, social interaction, and study skills support

21. UA Retention Efforts • Academic Convocation in Fall for new freshmen to provide opportunity to meet faculty and to instill sense of academic expectations and be a bookend to commencement exercises • Move In Day provides volunteer students to help with unloading and to answer questions of students and parents moving into residence halls

22. UA Admission Standards • Raised standards at end of 1997 to take effect in 1999, ACT of 20 and HSGPA 3.0 • Developed Third-Level administrative review of all students not meeting automatic admission standards • Established Summer Prep Program for students close to standards • Provisional non-degree admission for some students who are given a chance to prove academic qualification through performance in UA courses

24. Benchmark Set of 54 Public Research Universities

29. Degree Seeking New Freshman ClassACT Scores Fall 1997 Fall 2007 ACT > 30 ACT 25-30 ACT 19-24 ACT < 19

30. Fall 2007 New Freshmen Degree-Seeking with ACT <19

31. Degree Seeking New Freshman High School GPA Fall 1997 Fall 2007 HSGPA >=3.75 HSGPA 3.50 – 3.74 HSGPA 3.00 – 3.49 HSGPA <3.00

32. Chancellor’s List • In Fall of 1997, 747 UA students were on the Chancellor’s List • In Spring of 1998, 823 UA students were on the Chancellor’s List • In Fall of 2007, 1,254 UA students were on the Chancellor’s List • In Spring of 2008, 1,332 UA students were on the Chancellor’s List

33. Bottom Line: UA students are brighter and more successful academically than they have ever been

34. African American Students

35. Degree Seeking African American New Freshman ACT Scores Fall 1997 Fall 2007 ACT > 30 ACT 25-30 ACT 19-24 ACT < 19

36. Degree Seeking African American New Freshman High School GPA Fall 1997 Fall 2007 HSGPA >=3.75 HSGPA 3.50 – 3.74 HSGPA 3.00 – 3.49 HSGPA <3.00

37. 1997 2005 2006 First Year Retention Rate by Ethnicity1997 Cohort vs 2005 Cohort vs 2006 Cohort

40. Bottom Line: UA African American students are brighter and more successful academically than they have ever been

41. Challenge Facing Arkansas Graduate more college-bound students

42. College Going Rates Arkansasvs. U.S.A Source: AHECB Quarterly Meeting, Agenda Item 21, Aug. 3, 2007

43. Retention: Lessons Learned • Admit only students who are capable of graduating • Provide the financial support required to complete the degree in a timely fashion • Provide an academic support system with good mentoring, advising and tutoring • Find a way to make students take advantage of the academic support system • Create job opportunities in the state to serve as incentives for degree completion

44. Clearly, in the 21st Century, economic development and higher education are inextricably linked

45. In closing, Thank you for allowing me to share our experiences (and frustrations) in increasing retention and graduation rates on our campus