Learning Communities
at Lamar University
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Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.
Member of Texas State University
System
9000 students enrolled Spring 2007
Majority commuter students
61% of LU freshmen are firstgeneration students
– But only 42% of graduates are firstgeneration
LC Inception and Justification
• Began 2004
– University retention rate from Spring 2004 to Fall
2004: 66%
– Large population of first-generation, commuters, and
working students.
– Intended to address academic, social, emotional,
behavioral, and cultural needs of students.
– Need for increased connection with university, and
enriched academic and social experience.
– LCs known for offering increased intellectual
interaction, deeper learning, group identity, and
enriched university experience.
Program Structure
• Program staff:
– Director and three student assistants
• Coordinate with department advisors
• Coordinate with departments to reserve
seats in classes
• Coordinate with campus resources to
target LC student needs
Program Structure
• Student cohorts based upon major.
– 2004 began with Business, General Studies, PreNursing, and Pre-professional
– 2005 added Psychology to existing majors
– 2007 developing Criminal Justice and Sciences
majors (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics)
• Students co-enrolled with cohort and share
common courses.
• Cohort lasts Fall and Spring semesters of
freshman year
Program Structure
• Weekly study meeting built into each group’s
schedule
– Designated room in Student Center building for LC
groups
– Program staff checks in with students during meetings
– Special presentations throughout semester:
• Faculty representatives from respective LC major
• Campus resources and activities
• Attempt to identify unique student interests and encourage
involvement
Program Structure
• Students recruited for Fall semester during
freshman Orientation in summer
– When students report to advising offices in
departments of major, they are given the chance to
enroll in LC.
• Previous LC students assist with promotion
– Any student who enrolls is accepted; there is no
application or screening process. If accepted into
Lamar, students are able to enroll in LC program.
– Limited to 20 students per major; first-come-firstserve basis.
Difficulties & Solutions
• Budget limits resources to support students
– Partner with campus programs and offices: tutoring, mentoring,
advising, Student Affairs professionals
• Small staff
– Only one full-time employee (Dr. Daniel Bartlett) devoted to
program
• LCs one of several programs under direction of Dr.
Bartlett
– Time divided amongst several student retention initiatives
Student assistants maintain regular phone and e-mail contact to
keep LC students connected and updated.
Previous LC students have volunteered time to meet new students.
Difficulties & Solutions
• Large population of First-generation
students, commuters, and working
students.
– Comfortable, personal network and support
system through LC group and staff
– Academic enrichment through study group
– Academic support through program
Difficulties & Solutions
• Student population has difficulty attaining
involvement and connection with
university experience
– Comfortable, personal network and support
system through LC group and staff
– Departmental/faculty representatives meet
students during weekly LC group sessions
– Targeted interests by major
– Small cohort allows personal connections by
program staff
Difficulties & Solutions
• LCs based on major can be tricky when
many freshmen will change major
– LC classes largely Core Curriculum
– Students take courses of their choice outside
of LC cluster as well
– Changing major doesn’t disqualify students
from LC; they can take the Core classes with
LC group
– Students still benefit from cohort support
Successes
• University administration supportive
• Faculty beginning to recognize benefits of LC to
students as well as to teaching
– Ex: English instructors report pleasant experience due
to LC cohort involvement in class
• Due to group connection and support, LC students have
proven to be more likely to engage in class discussion and to
be prepared for class.
• Departments have been very willing to work with
LC program.
– Faculty and staff support in coordination
Successes
• LC Retention rates and GPA higher than
university averages
• Program growth
– More students and increasing majors for LCs
• Student Satisfaction
– Students report high satisfaction with LCs
Assessment
• Evaluate
– Retention rates
• Evaluate one year rates of persistence
– GPA
• Compared to University average
• Following comparison groups by major and
semester of entry
– Student satisfaction
• Surveys conducted at end of semesters in weekly
study session as well as in LC classes.
Assessment
• GPA
– University Average: 2.3
– LC Average:
2.7
• First-year retention rates
– 2004-2005 cohort: 45 of 57 students
• 79%
– 2005-2006 cohort*: 59 of 86 students
• 67% (*in September 2005, Hurricane Rita closed campus for three
weeks and caused dramatic reduction in enrollment still being
overcome today)
One year university-wide retention rates average 66% in years prior to Hurricane
Rita
Assessment
• Student surveys
– 91% of LC students would participate again
– 90% would recommend LCs to a friend
Engagement
85% of LC students reported socializing with
other members of their LC
Assessment
• LC Student Survey
– Students wrote in that the “best aspects of
participating in Learning Communities”
included:
• Meeting other people in their major and making
friends
• Having people to depend upon
• Seeing familiar faces in class and on campus
• Easily comparing notes, studying, and
communicating with classmates
• Having a set time to meet and study
Summary
• LCs are new at Lamar but have already
demonstrated success in increasing
retention, GPA, and student satisfaction.
• New LCs are in development with other
majors.
– Will develop LCs that cross majors but cluster
based upon similar degree plans (ex: Fine
Arts, Sciences, Education)
Thank you
Dr. Daniel Bartlett
Box 10221
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX 77710
409-880-8115
[email protected]
I welcome your comments, suggestions, or
questions.