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Giving Students MORE: a sophomore retention program at Saint Louis University

Giving Students MORE: a sophomore retention program at Saint Louis University. Profile of Saint Louis University. 4- year, Private, Jesuit, Catholic, Urban Carnegie classification: Doctoral/Research – Extensive Student breakdown (2006): 12,034 students 7479 undergraduates

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Giving Students MORE: a sophomore retention program at Saint Louis University

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  1. Giving Students MORE: a sophomore retention program at Saint Louis University

  2. Profile ofSaint Louis University • 4- year, Private, Jesuit, Catholic, Urban • Carnegie classification: Doctoral/Research – Extensive • Student breakdown (2006): • 12,034 students • 7479 undergraduates • 3432 residential students • Approximately 1000 sophomores on campus

  3. Goals of the Session Attendees will… • Learn about the successes and challenges associated with developing a sophomore retention program. • Understand how the dynamics of a cross-departmental collaboration impacts program development. • Gain knowledge of the assessment practices utilized to measure program goals. • Become familiar with how assessment was used to make changes to enhance the program.

  4. The Theoretical Foundation of the MORE Program

  5. Developmental theories pertaining to MORE Chickering - Vectors • Achieving Competence • Developing Autonomy • Establishing Identity • Developing Purpose

  6. Developmental theories pertaining to MORE • Chickering - Environmental Influences • Institutional Objectives • Student-Faculty Relationships • Friendships and Student Communities • Student development programs and services

  7. Initial Program Development

  8. Reasons for Program Development • Declining retention & occupancy rates • Dissatisfaction & lower engagement • Needed transition from freshman year experience • Evidence from research literature

  9. Implementation • Charge from Vice President • Researched in fall 2004 & spring 2005 • Included all Divisional depts • Implemented fall 2005 • Only residential students in the inaugural year

  10. Initial Program Outcomes • Increase freshman retention to campus housing • Increase sophomore retention to university • Increase engagement with university

  11. Initial Strategies • Career exploration • Class based activities • Preparation for study abroad • Engagement on the student’s major decision • Preparing emerging leaders • Encourage health and community • Enable community transplanting • Differentiate physical facility

  12. Program Evaluation and Assessment

  13. Assessment Assessment methods used: • Focus Groups • Community Space Usage • Student Voice (www.studentvoice.com) • Survey • ACUHO-I Educational Benchmarking Instrument (EBI) survey • Office of Planning and Decision Resources (University data) • Residential Sophomore GPA’s • Retention Rates • Three Year Comparison of Residential Occupancy Levels • Anecdotal information from staff and students

  14. Assessment Findings MORE Program Capstone Report Pilot Year Successes • Program satisfaction • EBI Housing Satisfaction Survey Comparison • Residential Sophomore GPA’s • Retention rates • Occupancy rates • Community space usage

  15. AssessmentFindings Pilot Year Challenges • Marketing of program • Program attendance • Amenities and renovation progress • Sophomore needs vs. wants • Division collaborations • Residential component • Assessment Methods

  16. Year Two Programs and opportunities open to ALL Sophomores Social programs -Dinner with President -Sophomore night’s: Cardinals game, Billiken basketball game, Ice Skating -MORE week -Sophomore Celebration (Half Graduation) Academic Support -Writing Center -Tutoring Center -Academic Advising

  17. Year Two Occupational Opportunities -Kaplan Testing -Internships -Leadership Retreat Wellness -Fitness vouchers -Spirituality- Campus Ministry

  18. Year Two Stakeholder meeting approach -Department representatives -Once a month Marketing of MORE program Learning communities in the MORE halls Use of Learning Reconsidered -Satisfaction vs. learning outcome approach

  19. Year Two Early assessment findings • Program attendance • Community space usage • Program satisfaction • Increased about 15% from pilot year • Program marketing • Increased knowledge of the MORE program • Staff feedback

  20. Future Goals

  21. Plans for Year 3 • Develop learning outcomes that fit into the University’s Five Dimensions • New assessment goals that fit the new/updated learning outcomes • Aligning staffing resources to accomplish program goals • Collaborations

  22. Plans for Year 3 and Beyond • So/Jr: “The Middle Years” • Learning Communities • Marketing • The full SLU Experience from FYE, So/JR, to SYE • Website • Logo/Branding

  23. Conclusion/Q&A

  24. Reflection and Sharing • What we learned • Open for questions and discussion • Good practice sharing Thank you!

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