Florida Atlantic University
RETENTION ACTION PLAN
Strategies for retaining a higher percentage of students
at FAU for the entire duration of their undergraduate career goals
Entrance Surveys
§ survey entering FTIC students on their goals and expectations
§ a local survey administered at Orientation
§ can be customized for transfer students as well
Entering Student “Connections” and Referrals
§ Follow-up phone-calls to all FTIC students from Retention/Orientation staff to check student progress and make referrals as needed
Survey of “Leavers”
§ survey first baccalaureate students who leave FAU prior to graduation
§ why did they leave?
§ can we help them to return to FAU in the future?
Survey of Withdrawing Students
§ survey first baccalaureate students who withdraw from all courses
§ why did they leave?
§ can we help them to return to FAU in the future?
§ best accomplished through personal phone calls
Counseling for students on probation
§ Undergraduate Programs currently places holds on these students
§ Additional follow-up is needed, possibly through Counseling Center intervention
Student Focus Groups
§ To increase awareness of student needs and concerns
§ Include target groups (FTIC, partner campuses, non-traditional and other transfers, students with disabilities, athletes, commuter students, residential students, at-risk, specific majors, etc.)
§ Identify possible barriers to student success and make recommendations
Develop a comprehensive “First-year-experience”
§ to include Orientation, initial advising, mandatory SLS 1501 course, residential life
§ creation of cohort groups
Retention Newsletter
§ Newsletter to be published once each fall and spring semester
§ Distributed University-wide
§ Educate community as to their role in retention
FAU RETENTION ACTION PLAN – (page 2)
Faculty and Staff Involvement
§ Enhance student service/name tags for staff
§ Involvement in recruiting/orientation/advising/retention activities
§ Train faculty and staff to make referrals to campus-wide services
Evaluate services that are key for retention and make recommendations
(at all levels and all campuses)
§ Academic advising
§ Orientation programs
§ Tutorial services
§ Mentoring program
§ Counseling services
§ Career services
§ Financial Aid and scholarships
§ Housing
§ Campus Life
§ Honors programs
OTHER
§ Involvement of parents (Parent Weekend, Parent Orientation program, Parent Association)