Higher Education Conference

Engaging Faculty in Retention Issues Part II Presidential Summit on Retention The Need and Scope February 20, 2007 Dr. Richard Rafes, J.D. Ph.D. Dr. Duane Anderson Dr. Delma Hall

Events leading to Summit 2007 beginning freshman up 11.7% 2007 beginning freshman up 11.7% 2007 total Undergraduate Enrollment down 2% 2007 total Undergraduate Enrollment down 2% Graduated more in Spring 2006 but this did not explain difference Graduated more in Spring 2006 but this did not explain difference Reason for the downturn had to be retention Reason for the downturn had to be retention Convened Summit on “The Role of Retention in a Student-Centered University” on November 17, 2006 Convened Summit on “The Role of Retention in a Student-Centered University” on November 17, 2006

What follows is my presentation to the faculty at ECU

Purpose of the Summit Highlight the role of retention in a student-centered university Highlight the role of retention in a student-centered university Engage the faculty in a dialog to improve retention Engage the faculty in a dialog to improve retention Identify specific approaches to improve ECU’s retention rate Identify specific approaches to improve ECU’s retention rate

Why is Retention Important to the Student? For the student For the student –Maximizing the student’s potential while enrolled –Better quality of life upon graduation –Greater financial gain upon graduation –Greater opportunity upon graduation

Why is Retention Important to the University? Accomplishing our institutional purpose Accomplishing our institutional purpose More efficient use of State’s Resources More efficient use of State’s Resources –Educating more students with same amount of resources –More fully utilizing University facilities –Stronger alumni –Less need to recruit students

Impact of Different Retention Rates on Enrollment Given ECU’s Average Annual Freshman Class of 736 Retention Rate Number Returning for Sophomore Year Increase in Sophomore Class 65% Current Rate % % % %

Higher retention increases University funding Additional Students Retained Additional Tuition and Fee Revenue Potential Extra Room & Board Revenue Total Potential Additional Revenue +1(65%)$3,652$3,190$6,842 +7(66%)$25,562$22,330$47, (70%)$135,115$118,030$253, (75%)$270,230$236,060$506, (80%) (80%)$405,344$354,090$759,434

What can this additional revenue do for our university? Provide better educational experiences for our students, resulting in more loyal alums Provide better educational experiences for our students, resulting in more loyal alums Provide more campus employment opportunities for students Provide more campus employment opportunities for students Provide improved equipment, furnishings, and facilities Provide improved equipment, furnishings, and facilities Provide better professional development opportunities for faculty and staff Provide better professional development opportunities for faculty and staff Increase the salaries and benefits for faculty and staff Increase the salaries and benefits for faculty and staff

Retention Facts about ECU Beginning Freshmen The average retention rate for full-time students was 65%. The average retention rate for full-time students was 65%. The average retention rate for part-time students was 46%. The average retention rate for part-time students was 46%. The average retention rate for all freshman students with a declared major when enrolling was 62% or higher! The average retention rate for all freshman students with a declared major when enrolling was 62% or higher! The average retention rate for all freshman students with no declared major when enrolling was 35%! The average retention rate for all freshman students with no declared major when enrolling was 35%!

Retention and Academic Background Only 23% of ECU’s beginning freshmen rank in the top 30% of their high school class and have an ACT of 23 or higher. Only 23% of ECU’s beginning freshmen rank in the top 30% of their high school class and have an ACT of 23 or higher. Both high school class rank and ACT are significant predictors of the likelihood of being retained. Both high school class rank and ACT are significant predictors of the likelihood of being retained.

Retention and Grades at ECU One out of two beginning freshmen earned a 2.0 or higher in both the fall and spring semesters of their freshmen year. One out of two beginning freshmen earned a 2.0 or higher in both the fall and spring semesters of their freshmen year. The average retention rate for these students was 85%! The average retention rate for these students was 85%! One out of four beginning freshmen earned less than a 2.0 in both semesters of their freshmen year. One out of four beginning freshmen earned less than a 2.0 in both semesters of their freshmen year. The average retention rate of these students was only 25%. The average retention rate of these students was only 25%. Students who rebound from below a 2.0 point in the fall to a 2.0 point or higher in the spring semester, have a 75% retention rate. Students who rebound from below a 2.0 point in the fall to a 2.0 point or higher in the spring semester, have a 75% retention rate.

Student Engagement is a key to higher retention rates. A considerable body of research shows a strong positive correlation between student engagement and higher retention. A considerable body of research shows a strong positive correlation between student engagement and higher retention. Students who engage more frequently in educationally effective practices: Students who engage more frequently in educationally effective practices: –Get better grades. –Are more satisfied. –Are more likely to be retained and graduate. Student engagement has similar positive effects on historically underserved students as well as majority students. Student engagement has similar positive effects on historically underserved students as well as majority students. The very act of being engaged develops habits that stand students in good stead for a lifetime of continuous learning. The very act of being engaged develops habits that stand students in good stead for a lifetime of continuous learning.

What do we mean by engaging students? To actively participate in educationally purposeful activities.

Ways to Enhance Student Engagement Establishing living-learning residence hall communities Establishing living-learning residence hall communities Employing more students on campus Employing more students on campus Encouraging students to spend more hours per week preparing for class Encouraging students to spend more hours per week preparing for class Encouraging students to ask questions in class and contribute to class discussions Encouraging students to ask questions in class and contribute to class discussions Promoting interaction with faculty members and administrators Promoting interaction with faculty members and administrators Requiring class presentations Requiring class presentations Requiring students to work together on projects during class and out of class Requiring students to work together on projects during class and out of class

Ways to Enhance Student Engagement Continued Promoting student correspondence by to communicate with an instructor Promoting student correspondence by to communicate with an instructor Working with students on activities other than coursework Working with students on activities other than coursework Requiring two or more drafts of an assignment before turning it in Requiring two or more drafts of an assignment before turning it in Requiring all freshmen to live on campus Requiring all freshmen to live on campus Encouraging students to participate in extra- curricular activities Encouraging students to participate in extra- curricular activities Providing opportunities for physical fitness activities and social activities Providing opportunities for physical fitness activities and social activities Mentoring students Mentoring students

Ways to Enhance Student Engagement Continued Providing counseling Providing counseling Providing tutoring, including on-line tutoring Providing tutoring, including on-line tutoring Providing academic advising Providing academic advising Exposing students to other viewpoints and diverse ideas Exposing students to other viewpoints and diverse ideas Requiring practicums, field experiences, and/or internships Requiring practicums, field experiences, and/or internships Engage in research with students Engage in research with students Have a complete freshman year experience – orientation, freshman seminar Have a complete freshman year experience – orientation, freshman seminar Increasing service learning opportunities Increasing service learning opportunities

Thank you for participating in this important endeavor Sources of Information National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Engaging Students: Fostering Success for All Students – Annual Report 2006 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Engaging Students: Fostering Success for All Students – Annual Report 2006 ECU Tuition, Fee, Room and Board Information provided by Ms. Becky Isaacs, Bursar, Administration and Finance, ECU ECU Tuition, Fee, Room and Board Information provided by Ms. Becky Isaacs, Bursar, Administration and Finance, ECU Retention Facts provided by Kurt Jackson, Director of Institutional Research, ECU Retention Facts provided by Kurt Jackson, Director of Institutional Research, ECU

Higher Education Conference