Sophomore Students Academic Advisors’ Perceptions of their Needs July 7, 2009 Michael D’Arcangelo, Upper Class Initiatives

Overview Review of rationale Sequence of information gathering Survey of Advisors & responses Survey of Sophomores & responses  Research data regarding sophomores Discussion Future direction

Review of rationale On the national level,  attrition during the sophomore year has increased since beginning of first year programs  Assumed that this is due in part to “sophomore slump” phenomenon  Reasons are unique and based on universities’: Cultures Processes and procedures Environments

Rationale - RIT First year attrition rate is improved during the past decade Significant attrition during second and third year Cause and effect are difficult to measure

Why is RIT unique?  Housing (Apartment Life) Lack of RA or Residence Life professional Personal challenges (rent, food, roommate issues and shared responsibilities, increased autonomy)  University structure 8 Colleges Decentralized support Quarter System  What else?

Sequence of events Years 1-2  Development of a white paper; Researching developmental needs of students Year 3  Building a program that initiates general support  Focusing on social programs, parent programs and a pilot academic program  Proposing an expanded structure to consider academic support services Year 4  Proposing an expanded structure with others  Maybe 3 rd year program?

What do we know? Sophomores  Who live in off-campus housing are less likely to persist  Are most involved in clubs and activities  Begin the decline in satisfaction with their experience  Focus on being healthy increases during third year

Survey of Advisors & responses Three areas  1. Academic Concerns  2. Personal Concerns  3. Career Concerns 36 participants Sophomore Year Initiative (sponsored through the Center for Campus Life) would like your feedback regarding your perceptions of sophomores’ needs. The information you provide will help us to develop programs specific to sophomore students.

Academic Concerns

Personal Concerns

Career Concerns

Academic Academic concerns  Poor study skills  Time management skills are not adequate  Overwhelmed academically  Questioning Major  Academic status (probation, etc.) Comments section:  Housing Autonomy  Co-op  Study skills  Choice of Major  Financial Issues  Mentorship

Personal Personal concerns  Need professional mentoring relationships  Feeling overwhelmed  Activities (over or under involved) Comments section:  Housing Autonomy  Co-op  Study skills  Choice of Major  Financial Issues  Mentorship

Career Career choices  Questioning career choices  Problems finding a co-op  Questioning job market Comments section:  Housing Autonomy  Co-op  Study skills  Choice of Major  Financial Issues  Mentorship

Questions Comments Thoughts Discussion Applications Useful?

Future directions Designing matching survey questions for faculty, staff and students Including academic support Providing programs to help units address second year schools Soliciting nominations for Advisory Board and work group

Thank you!!