Establishing a Structured Framework for Student Academic Success

1. Establishing a Structured Framework for Student Academic Success Keonna Feaster University of Maryland College Park

2. Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy • Description • History • Implementation for • Degree Granting Academic Units • Non-Degree Granting Academic Unit • Frequently Asked Questions

3. Description • Based on past initiatives focused on graduation rates, student success, advising and retention • Expectations • 4 Year Graduation • 4 Year Graduation Templates • Demonstrate Continuing Progress • Prerequisites • Benchmarks • Consequences

4. Goals • Retention rates • Graduation rates • Establish structured framework • Create criteria for completing degree in a timely manner

5. Role of Academic Units • Four Year Graduation Templates • Graduation Progress Benchmarks • Academic Majors • Students Leaving Majors • Students Entering Majors

6. Exceptions to SASDCP • Students • Past 10 semesters or 130 credits • With exceptional circumstances • With programs requiring minors, double majors/degrees, enrichment activities • Enrolled part time

7. History • UM President: Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr. • Goal • Graduation Rates • Concerns • Losing students • Diminished opportunities for exploration

8. Roadmap to Implementation • Taskforce • Advising Community • Athletics Department • Associate/Assistant Deans’ Group • Open Forums • University Senate

9. Benchmarks • Based on criteria other than gpa • Reasonable • Attainable • Provide a path to success • Applicable once the major is declared

10. Starting at UM in a Major The clock begins when the first semester begins Must create an Academic Plan by the end of the first semester Switching Into a Major The clock begins when the student declares a major Must complete an Academic Plan before the major change process is completed Comparison

11. Degree Granting Academic Units • Online Information • Academic Advising • Four Year Graduation Templates • Incoming Freshmen • Audits

12. Four Year Graduation Templates • Computer Science (CMSC) • Psychology (PSYC) • American Studies (AMST)

13. Non-Degree Granting Academic Unit • Letters and Sciences (LTSC) • Major for undeclared students • Student population: 3,700 • 40% of Incoming Freshmen • 50% of Incoming Transfer students • 60 credit limit

14. LTSC: Advising Policy • Mandatory Advising Meetings • Student Advising Agreement • Exploration Option • 1-Credit Course • Exploration Activity • Townhall Meeting • 2 Year Academic Plan

15. LTSC: 2 Year Academic Plan • Major identification • Semester-by-Semester course plans • General education requirements (CORE) • Course designation • CORE • Major requirements • Electives

16. Impact of SASDCP • Receiver Colleges • Receive students from other majors • Require academic plan • Track benchmarks • Sender Colleges • Direct students to other majors • Track benchmarks

17. Frequently Asked Questions • Graduation Expectations • Choosing/Changing Majors • Double Degrees / Double Majors • Part Time Students • Transfer Students • Review of Satisfactory Progress • Graduation Rates • Review of Results and Effectiveness of Policy

18. Summary • Guarantees • Four Year Graduation Templates • Graduation Progress Benchmarks • Goals • Improve Graduation Rates • Create Plausible Graduation Plans

19. Useful Websites Academic Advising Resources at UM http://www.advising.umd.edu Four Year Academic Plans http://www.4yearplans.umd.edu Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy http://www.ugst.umd.edu/faqs-successpolicy.html

20. Thank you for your time! Keonna Feaster University of Maryland College Park kfeaster@umd.edu 301.314.8418 (office)