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Retention Initiatives at York University From the Local to the Pan-University

Retention Initiatives at York University From the Local to the Pan-University. Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt, AVP Academic Learning Initiatives Lynda Tam, Director Academic Affairs, Faculty of Fine Arts. York Facts. Founded in 1959 Third largest in Canada 11 Faculties >50,000 students

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Retention Initiatives at York University From the Local to the Pan-University

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  1. Retention Initiatives at York UniversityFrom the Local to the Pan-University Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt, AVP Academic Learning Initiatives Lynda Tam, Director Academic Affairs, Faculty of Fine Arts

  2. York Facts • Founded in 1959 • Third largest in Canada • 11 Faculties • >50,000 students • 1400 FT faculty members • 1000 PT faculty/TA

  3. Student Body • Diverse • Many first generation Canadians • Students from 176 countries from around the globe

  4. Large Proportion of Students Live at Home with their Parents First Year Students Senior Students Source: 2006 NSSE

  5. Almost 50% of York students Commute for More than 40 minutes First Year Students Senior Students Source: 2006 NSSE

  6. More York Students Spend Time Working For Pay First Year Students Senior Students Source: 2006 NSSE

  7. York Students Spend More Time Working For Pay On Campus Off Campus Source: 2006 NSSE

  8. AVP Academic Learning Initiatives • Position established August 2007 • Reporting to the VP Academic but a “hybrid” position • Portfolio: • Director, Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students • enhancing the quality of students’ educational experience • monitoring of NSSE • implementation of programs/activities/projects

  9. Former Student Experience

  10. Current Student Experience

  11. Retention Council • MANDATE • to create and sustain avenues for communication and collaboration amongst student success stakeholders • to achieve excellence in student experience and success • to develop and support initiatives designed to improve the educational experience of York students from the end of Orientation through to Convocation.

  12. Retention Council • STRUCTURE • Co-chairs: • AVP Academic Learning Initiatives • AVP Student Community Development • Pan-university representation: • Associate Deans, College Masters, Librarians, Advising Centres • Residence Life, Career Centre, Counselling and Development Centre, Sports and Recreation, Student Leadership • Students

  13. Retention Council • SUB-COMMITTEES • Faculty participation • Student engagement • 1st to 2nd year experience • Data warehousing • Advising • Peer mentoring

  14. Peer Mentoring – Faculty of Fine Arts • Supporting excellence • Support for first year students • –a map and a guide for the journey • Support for upper year students “at risk” • Unique aspects of mentoring fine arts students

  15. Faculty of Fine Arts Peer Mentoring Program Structure • Discipline specific mentor/mentee partnership • Formal training program • Mentor and Mentee communication • Peer Advising Centre

  16. Goals of the Faculty of Fine Arts Peer Mentoring Program • Guidance and support • Retention • Networking skills • Mentoring for life

  17. Program Success • 2007/08 • 1st year FFA students = 822 • 1st year FFA mentees = 120 (15% of entering class) • Of remaining 702, 30 (4%) were placed on academic probation at the end of the 2007/08 year • NONE of the 120 student mentees received an academic warning

  18. Program Success • 2007/08 • FFA students < 30 credits completed major gpa cum gpa mentor 6.48 6.19 no mentor 5.67 5.32Total average credits earned mentor 27.74 no mentor 25.6

  19. Program Success • 2007/08 • Survey of mentors: • 30 of 32 respondents (94%) stated that they had learned new mentoring strategies • 30 of 32 (94%) stated that what they had learned in the mentor training sessions had helped them in their mentoring role • The most useful things they learned: • Stress management • Time management

  20. Now that we have built it …Why do they come? • Unexpected outcomes for mentor and mentees • Spreading the word – peer mentoring campus wide • Finally…In their own words

  21. In Their Own Words • “I learned that mentoring a fellow student helped me to grow as a person and an artist as I learned valuable communication skills that I can continually build on.” • “I loved having a Mentor as I felt more confident and learned more than just from my courses.” • “One of the best programs I’ve had the privilege to participate in throughout my four years at York”

  22. Conclusion • THANK YOU! • QUESTIONS?

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