CBAS Retention and Advising Initiatives Report

CBAS (College of Basic and Applied Sciences) at MTSU has implemented various strategies for student retention and advising, including engagement with professional organizations, faculty open-door policies, tutoring opportunities, and career development programs. The college faces challenges in advising a large student population with limited staff and needs more follow-up programs for students on academic probation. Retention data shows varying success rates across different majors from Fall 2011 to Fall 2012.

• CBAS
• Student retention
• Advising initiatives
• Academic support
• Higher education

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1. College of Basic and Applied Sciences Advising/Retention Report

2. What is CBAS Presently Doing for Retention? Engagement Professional organizations Faculty open door policy Classes introducing the major Academics Living Learning communities Dual credit programs Tutoring opportunities Experiential learning experiences (study abroad) Use of technology in teaching (Facebook) Exit interviews for curriculum improvement Increased scholarships Curriculum reform Career Development Career fairs Job pipelines with business Capstone courses

3. What is CBAS Presently Doing Related to Advising? Have 4 full-time advisors in the college 2 advisors for 8 majors in the college 1 advisor for Aerospace 1 Advisor for the Pre-Health Professions More than 50% of faculty in college are involved in advising Additional Contact students to see why not registered Visit classes to announce Priority Registration College Advisors follow up on academic alerts as suggested by instructors All departments have completed 4 year maps Mandatory or intrusive advising in some departments Increase in advising material online and in print Being advised by experts in your field Group advising - The college advisors are knowledgeable, readily available and an excellent resources for the students. Challenges Serving large number of students with a small advising staff More follow up/programing needed for students on academic probation Finding faculty available for advising in the summer No standardized advising training for faculty

4. Where has all This Effort got Us? Retention: Freshman (2011-12) Fall 2011 Enrollment 3,368 851 700 280 102 370 442 623 # Returned Fall 2012 2,364 597 491 204 79 266 319 408 % Retained Fall 2012 70.2% 70.2% 70.1% 72.9% 77.5% 71.9% 72.2% 65.5% Fall 2011 College MTSU College Enr. Fall 2012 Basic and Applied Sciences Behavioral and Health Sciences Business Education Liberal Arts Mass Communication University College Total Total Total Total Total Total Total

5. Retention: Freshman by Major (2011-12) Fall 2011 Enrollment 3,368 851 96 # Returned Fall 2012 2,364 597 66 52 10 6 65 35 6 3 43 28 8 6 49 34 22 17 9 7 % Retained Fall 2012 70.2% 70.2% 68.8% 54.2% 83.3% 50.0% 68.4% 36.8% 46.2% 23.1% 66.2% 43.1% 61.5% 46.2% 56.3% 39.1% 84.6% 65.4% 64.3% 50.0% Fall 2011 College/Major MTSU Basic and Applied Sciences Aerospace Fall 2012 Major Total Retained by MTSU Aerospace Total Retained by MTSU Agribusiness Total Retained by MTSU Biology Total Retained by MTSU Chemistry Total Retained by MTSU Computer Science Total Retained by MTSU Concrete Industry Management Total Retained by MTSU Engineering Technology Total Retained by MTSU Mathematics Total Retained by MTSU Physics Agribusiness 12 Biology 95 Chemistry 13 Computer Science 65 Concrete Industry Management 13 Engineering Technology 87 Mathematics 26 Physics 14 University Retention 70.2% ; CBAS Retention Rate 70.2%

6. CBAS Freshman Retention Rates 90 80 70 60 % Retention Rate 50 40 30 20 10 0 2007 72 56.9 2008 71.5 47 2009 63.4 44.4 2010 76.8 54.6 2011 70.2 45.3 Returned to MTSU Returned in same major

7. CBAS Degrees Conferred 800 700 Degrees Conferred 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2007-08 576 2008-09 652 2009-10 635 2010-11 668 2011-12 729 Undergraduates

8. Comparison Retention Data Freshman rate 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 MTSU FIU Central Florida Georgia State New Orleans North Texas Southern Miss UT Arlington

9. Comparison Retention Data Graduation rate 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 MTSU FIU Central Florida Georgia State New Orleans North Texas Southern Miss UT Arlington

10. Retention Conclusions Average freshman retention for CBAS is 70.2% (same as university); retention within majors in CBAS is 49.2%. Overall retention is similar to other colleges, but retention in majors is 4th out of the 7 colleges. Freshman retention rates in the major range from a low of 23.1% in Chemistry to a high of 65.4% in Math. Retention rates for CBAS students returning to MTSU and return to MTSU in the same major have remain relatively stable since 2007. Number of degrees conferred by CBAS has been increasing since 2007. In comparison to our peer institutions we are at or above the average for freshman retention and graduation rates. Even though we have seen retention rates remain relatively stable and number of degrees conferred increase, the numbers illustrate a need to do a better job retaining students in the CBAS majors both at the freshman and junior levels.

11. College Initiatives to increase Retention and Improve Advising Retention Supplemental Instruction - is an academic support model that uses peer- assisted study sessions to improve student retention and success within targeted historically difficult courses. - $70,000 Freshman Forum- is a required course in each discipline designed for freshmen and transfer students majoring in one of the disciplines in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences to enhance their transition to Middle Tennessee State University by introducing them to their specific major, providing an overview of the major and core requirements, and addressing specific skill sets necessary for success in the major. No Cost Advising Pre Health Professions Advising Program - developing a multifaceted, well- organized approach to supplying students with much needed information and educating faculty on the nuances of advising pre-health professional students, students will more efficiently obtain the information they need to gain acceptance into professional health programs. - $50,000

12. Department Retention Ideas Engagement Travel money for faculty and students to travel to National Conferences and Meetings Create an Umbrella Committees to coordinate club activities within departments Install digital displays to advertise career and department activities Create student engagement rooms for reading, tutoring and study areas Increase the use of social media to update and engage the student community Create boot camps to prepare students for the college experience

13. Department Retention Ideas Innovative Programs Increase dual credit programs Increase women and minorities in underrepresented sciences (Harvey Mudd) Increase partnerships with community colleges Develop faculty student mentoring program Increase student research and travel grants; especially summer stipend programs Modify P/T guidelines to reward faculty who are engaging students in academic process Increase study abroad opportunities

14. Department Retention Ideas Academics Increase tutoring programs/supplemental instruction Revamp introductory courses to reduce D and F grades Investigate requiring admission into the major Develop Advisory Council (Boards) to help with curriculum improvement and internships Increase access to buildings and computer labs Investigate the development of additional degree programs, especially in the applied field Major specific introductory seminar courses or colloquium course Increase undergraduate research opportunities Increase experiential learning activities in major courses

15. Department Advising Ideas Advising Changes Investigate mandatory advising option Investigate mandatory advising at 75 credit hour Investigate the use of group advising Investigate the use of open door advising Develop advising maps for transfer students Workshops to educate faculty on advising Develop an evaluation process for student advising Have majors orientation session prior to first semester on campus Increase advising staff in the college

16. Conclusions The College of Basic and Applied Sciences vision of what the college is committed to in student retention is articulated in the following statement: By fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that emphasizes best practices in teaching effectiveness, student support and use of educational resources, the college strives to increase student achievement, leading to higher levels of retention and graduation. Emphasis is placed on developing students with higher levels of critical thinking and life skills that are important for academic and professional success.