The Other First Year
Experience …
Drew Calandrella
Vice President for Student Affairs
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ USA
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Session # 69
Rowan University
• Public, comprehensive & competitive
• 9,500 Students, two campuses
• Suburban (Glassboro Campus) ­ 9000
• Urban (Camden) ­ 500
• Baccalaureate (36), Masters (26), Doctoral (1)
• One of three public universities in US News & World Report 1st tier rankings in Northeast U.S.
• Located in southern NJ ­ rural/suburban
• Henry Rowan’s $100,000,000 Gift
Mission of
Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs directly supports the recruitment, retention, graduation, and satisfaction of Rowan University students by providing comprehensive and integrated student services programs for all students.
The goal of the Division of Student Affairs is to provide comprehensive academic and student support programs and services to provide the environment for students to clarify their educational, career and life goals, and in the development of educational plans that will assist them in their attainment of academic success. The programs and services of the Division of Student Affairs assist students with their transitions into, through, and out of Rowan University.
Mission of Student Affairs
Continued…
By developing a supportive environment and providing timely, accurate and consistent information and services to students that relate to their developmental needs , the services provided by the Division of Student Affairs contribute to the success of students in their pursuit of their educational, career and life goals, both while attending Rowan University and after graduation
Student Affairs staff members collaborate with instructional faculty in meaningful ways that result in students overcoming specific educational, financial, personal or cultural barriers as they transition into Rowan University and as students navigate the curriculum during their time here. It’s About…Transitions
Research suggests that the causes
for attrition of freshmen include
unclear intentions about higher
education, adjustment problems,
and feelings of isolation
(Ollenchach & Herbert, 2002).
The First Year Experience =
Multiple Transitions
Learning
Activities
Parents
Siblings
&Friends
STUDENT
Course
Work
Faculty
& Staff
Room­
Mates
Residence Halls
First Year Experience
• Transition experiences in the classroom
• Higher expectations of performance
• Greater workload = Time Management Challenges
• Transition experiences outside of the classroom
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First time away from home
Responsibility
Distractions
Time: The Great Equalizer!
Rowan Seminar
• Freshman Seminar courses embedded in curriculum of gateway courses in major areas of study (Rowan Seminar)
• Undeclared students directed to General Education & Composition sections
• Will be sufficient sections/seats for all entering freshman (1250)
Bildner Grant
• Purpose: To develop and offer new interdisciplinary, team­taught courses that address issues of diversity and democracy for entering students as part of the Rowan Seminar program.
• Program: • Fund faculty teams to attend a workshop to develop new courses
• Fund departments to make it possible for faculty to offer the new team­taught courses in the fall semester of freshmen year
• Funded by The Bildner Foundation
• $195,830 over three years
The Other Freshman Year
Experience
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Orientation
On­Campus Housing
Freshman Move­In Day
Welcome Week
Living & Learning Communities
Early Alert System
Freshman “Impact” Leadership Program Focused Student Life & Activities
Convocation
Outcomes
“Intentionality”
Orientation
• Summer Orientation, Advising & Registration (SOAR) Programs
• Three 2­day sessions during late June
• Orientation program for students
• Orientation program for parents
• All­campus involvement
• Begins student transition to campus
• Over 90% participation
On-Campus Housing
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Required of all Freshman & Sophomores
Created “Freshman Only” Housing
Created “Class of …” identity
Build community of new students
Integrate support systems
Early Arrival = Early Acculturation
Address “culture shock”
Provides transition for family
Freshman Move-In Day
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Move - In Day Continued…
Building Community
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Welcome Week Activities
• Day of Community Service
• Tour Local Attractions
• Philadelphia
• Museums
• Pro Baseball Game
• Atlantic City
• Boardwalk
• Jersey Shore
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Meetings with Residence Hall Staff
Workshops
Orientation Refresher
Loose Ends ­ Financial Aid, etc.
Convocation
• Formal welcome of new students to Rowan University community
• University Administration and faculty in academic regalia
• Faculty member (recognized outstanding faculty member) addresses students
• Speaks to academic expectations
• Provides encouragement
• Imparts values of the university to the newest members of the community
Living & Learning Communities
• Students invited to apply during SOAR
• Students live in same residence complex
• Students enrolled in same Rowan Seminar and linked course (I.e., Composition)
• Creates supportive learning environment
Setting Your Career In Motion:
Living & Learning Community
• Goals of the Community:
• Assist Undeclared (high risk) freshman with educational and social transitions;
• Provide information about campus services and available assistance/support;
• Provide intrusive developmental advising
• Assure developmental career planning
• Exposure to majors & careers • Exposure to industry/job opportunities
Early Alert System
• Academic Performance of Freshman solicited by Career & Academic Planning Center
• Students provided with feedback and invited to attend study skills, time management programs
• Students offered tutoring
Freshman Impact Leadership
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Invited to apply during SOAR
Leadership training retreat before semester
Leadership activities throughout term
Participation in campus­wide events (I.e., Convocation)
• Preparation for other opportunities
Freshman “IMPACT” Leadership
Program
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Focused Student Activities
• Homecoming
• Regularly scheduled student events as selected by entering students via survey
• Campus­based and alcohol­free
• Exposes students to all aspects of campus life from athletics to Greek Life
• Establishes campus expectations
• Mentoring Programs
• Builds campus community
Focused Student Activities
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Outcomes
• Increased student retention over three (3) years
• Class size increased from 950 to 1250
• First­year to second­year return rate increased from 83% in 2000 to 86% in 2003 overall (89% for Regular Admits). Goal is 90% first to second year retention.
• Increased number of high­risk students (undeclared, non­
traditional)
• Improved “town­gown” relations
• Students express greater satisfaction
• Student community = increased campus life and activities participation
• Created housing “crunch”
Outcomes Continued
• First year students enrolled in Rowan Seminar have greater retention rates
• 88% of Rowan Seminar students return 2nd yr. • 84% of non­Rowan Seminar students return
• Rowan Seminar Students Graduate at higher rates
• Six­year grad rate of RS = 66.4%
• Six­year grad rate of non­RS = 46.9%
“Intentionality”
• Universities can assume students will connect with other new students, faculty and staff;
• Universities can hope students will create a “class of…” identity;
• Universities can believe that students understand their academic progress and available services to assist them;
• Universities can hope that students engage in focused (and appropriate) activities;
• Universities can assume that students will exhibit leadership potential and take advantage of opportunities to exercise leadership;
“Intentionality” Continued
Or…Universities can intentionally create the environment, programs, practices and opportunities for students to make a successful transition to the university through:
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Orientation Programs
Welcome Week
Freshman Only Housing
Focused Activities
Early Alert Systems
Leadership Opportunities
Freshman Seminar
Learning Communities
Addressing the needs of the “whole” student
The First Year Experience
Learning
Activities
Parents
Siblings
&Friends
STUDENT
Course
Work
Faculty
& Staff
Room­
Mates
Residence Halls
To Successfully Transition
New Students to Higher
Education:
The ENTIRE Campus Community Must Be Engaged, Involved and Committed.
M A H A L O !!!
Drew Calandrella
Vice President for Student Affairs