|
|||||
 | |||||
|
Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 10/2/07 |
|
|
In
the News Archive - Year:
February 27, 2003 UWGB keeps frosh on board The college had a 93 percent retention rate — a record — with new programs and assistance By Ray Barrington
The classes are tougher, and there's no parent telling you it's time
to go to school. And if you're away from home, there's homesickness. You're
likely living on your own for the first time with a roommate who is teaching
you things about human behavior you never knew before.
"What we've seen nationally is a number of students dropping out even
before Thanksgiving because of homesickness and trouble adjusting," said
Sue Hammersmith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
"Once they get through the freshman year and into their sophomore year,
they're much more likely to stick through."
And at UWGB, they're more likely than ever to stay. The university reported
93 percent of its fall 2002 freshman class returned for the spring semester,
a new school record. In recent years, the retention rate peaked at 90
percent three times.
The university noted the rate is the same for minority students, a major
increase from ranges of 75 to 85 percent since 1998.
'Hammersmith said there were a variety of factors in the increased rate.
"Number one, we have very good students coming in. When they're academically
well-qualified, it's easier to retain them," she said.
The school's incoming class in 2002 had the highest grade-point average
ever — 3.37 on a 4.0 scale — for a freshman class, the school
reported. That's been helped in part, Hammersmith said, by the growing
numbers of students trying to get into UWGB. It's forced the school to
close enrollment earlier.
"Typically, your academically strong students apply earlier, so the
earlier you close enrollment, the stronger the freshman class is likely
to be," she said.
And after applications close, those remaining are put on a waiting list,
and the school picks the strongest students off that list. Higher admissions
requirements next year should improve the class even more, Hammersmith
said.
Once those students are signed up, the school works to get them ready
for the different demands of college.
Among the key programs is First-Year Contact. Each freshman is assigned
a contact on the faculty or staff from whom the applicant can ask questions
or get information.
Lucy Arendt, the school's coordinator of assessment, is one of the volunteers.
She oversaw a survey at the end of the semester that showed enthusiastic
response by freshmen.
"One of the comments I got was "it was nice to have someone designated
to just help me personally," Arendt said. "What students asked about were
the basics of registration, what kind of classes they should be taking,
concerns about satisfying requirements, paying for school, choosing a
major — all the sorts of things you would expect freshmen to be concerned
about."
All of the faculty and staff involved in the program are volunteers.
"I think it reflects the fact that the people helping are people who are
genuinely interested in helping freshmen have a successful college experience,"
Arendt said.
Tied to that is an introduction program that helps students learn more
about what they need and what is required of them in the college atmosphere.
And when they get to UWGB, Hammersmith said, they have a good experience
in living on campus.
She called UWGB undergraduate residence life "almost like a national
model of quality."
"Our residence halls are really better than what you find at most universities,"
she said. "And all these things probably fit together."
The university's division of institutional research reports that each
1 percent gain in retention means about 10 students staying in school.
"Student retention is important," Hammersmith said, "but what's more
impressive is that it's an indication of the quality of the undergraduate
experience."
| |
