October 23, 2017

Minutes of the meeting of SubCommittee Chairs of the Retention Committee

Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM

Attendees: Ted Mahavier (chair), PJ Couch, Deidra Mayer, Kayla Holloway, Amy Smith, Alberto Marquez, Daniel Bartlett

Outreach, PJ Couch (10 minutes):

Jim Sanderson had success talking with dual credit – benefits of dual credit at LU versus other schools. Working to encourage high school counselors to funnel student toward LU.

Freddie Titus – expanding the relationship with local schools

PJ – students lack expectations for college; the master’s of education program was expanding but stalled

PJ spoke with David Short (Registrar) – 1^st generation students, costs, needing to stay local; LU can appeal to local students while still reaching out to those outside of our area. Also look at early college programs and transfer students. Need vertical integration of programs—get students connected to departments earlier.

Suggest making major/minor fair event more accessible earlier.

Students often enter college without good knowledge of their major.

Jeremy Shelton – students only aware of high profile programs, but LU has better access to faculty and opportunities than UT.

Possible to use a pre/post test of interest in programs?

Get testimonials from transfer students from UT and A&M?

Top three items for action:

• Working with Recruitment/Marketing/Messaging to standardize our message and promote our strengths
• Involve civic leaders as promoters; be more active players in community.
• Expand professional development relationships with high schools

Data Analysis, Alberto Marquez (5 minutes):

Local industry hasn’t been responsive since Hurricane Harvey

Math and Engineering to meet for chairs – what data do they need?

Engineering working to identify courses that students will be allowed to only attempt twice

Also reviewing performance measures in Cal II courses

Faculty Engagement, Amy Smith (8 minutes):

Had Provost kick-off event; ~220 attendees. Included retention-related sessions.

Sessions on course design and traits of LU students; how to design courses for our student population.

Considering how to reward teaching that helps retention.

Preparing faculty to teach larger class sections – training faculty to do so effectively.

Top priorities:

• Evaluative testing
• Ways to recognize faculty for teaching that contributes to retention
• Talking to students about graduate school earlier

SSC Campus, Kayla Holloway (10 minutes):

SSC go-live delayed due to Harvey – went live Oct 11

Currently validating data in SSC

Working with Phase I group (UAC, Engineering, General Studies, STARS tutoring, Athletics) on utilization

SSC sub-committee to serve as steering committee to consider campus-wide decisions and issues related to SSC

      Requested to add members so each college has faculty representation

Possibly add advising issues to SSC committee, as pertains to SSC utilization

Success markers being identified and marked – currently working with departments.

Marketing, Recruitment, Financial Aid, Deidra Mayer (15 minutes):

Need retention campaign to attain wide buy-in

Considered retention contracts for students (during yield phase)

SOAR in Four campaign – encourage 15 hours enrollment per term or 30 hours per year

Students must meet advisors each term to check on progress

Track to graduate in DegreeAudit

Admissions/Recruitment will push this campaign

FA will offer retention grants

Advising possibly have students sign “contracts” kept in SSC

Registrar and DegreeAudit support

QEP Pathways a pivotal part of this campaign

Adjourned at 2:15