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STUDENT RETENTION:
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF STUDENT ATTRITION
AND IMPLEMENTING A PREVENTION PLAN
Joe Cuseo
Marymount College
TARGET AREA #5.
COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION:
PROCEDURES, POLICIES, & PRIORITIES
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF STUDENT ATTRITION
AND IMPLEMENTING A PREVENTION PLAN
Joe Cuseo
Marymount College
5.1 Encourage high-level administrators to demonstrate visible support for retention initiatives by their presence at retention programming events, by comments they make during formal addresses, and in their written statements or documents (e.g., college memos, position statements, strategic plans).
5.2 Encourage administrators to seek and provide necessary resources (human, fiscal, and physical) to support a viable, comprehensive retention program.
5.3 Have retention programs �built into� the institutional budget and administrative structure of the college (e.g., organizational blueprint or flowchart), thus enhancing their prospects for long-term survival. 5.4 Request administrators to provide incentives for faculty and staff to promote their involvement in retention programs and initiatives (e.g., stipends, mini-grants, release time, travel and professional development funding, administrative or student assistance).
5.5 Solicit administrative support for the professional development of faculty and staff in areas relating to student retention and student success.
5.6 Encourage administrators to recognize or reward faculty and staff contributions to first-year students (e.g., meritorious performance awards; letters of commendation; credit toward retention, promotion, or advancement).
5.7 Seek administrative encouragement of, and support for, college rituals that are designed to build campus community and increase institutional identification among students.
5.8 Incorporate a retention committee into the college�s table of organization to ensure that the issue of student retention becomes �institutionalized� and receives sustained attention, and be sure that the composition of this committee has diverse representation�which reflects the full range of institutional services that can impact student retention (e.g., academic affairs, student affairs, first-year experience, institutional research, academic advising, and financial aid).
RECOMMENDED REFERENCES & RESOURCES ON STUDENT RETENTION
Beal, P., & Noel, L. (1980). What works in student retention. The American College Testing Program and The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. (Eric Reproduction Service No. 197 635)
Braxton, J. M. (2000). Reworking the departure puzzle: New theory and research on college student retention. Nashville: University of Vanderbilt Press.
Braxton, J. M. (Ed.)(2001-2002). Using theory and research to improve college student retention. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 3(1), 1- 118.
Lenning, O. T., Beal, P. E., & Sauer, K. (1980). Retention and attrition: Evidence for action and research. Boulder, CO: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.
Lenning, O. T., Sauer, K., & Beal, P. E. (1980). Student retention strategies. AAHE- ERIC/Higher Education Research Report No. 8. Washington, D.C.: American Association for Higher Education.
National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities (1990). Undergraduate completion and persistence at four-year colleges and universities. Washington, DC: Author.
Noel, L., Levitz, R., & Kaufmann, J. (1982). Organizing the campus for retention. Iowa City, Iowa: American College Testing Program & The National Center for Academic Advancement of Educational Practices.
Terrell, M. C., & Wright, D. J. (Eds.) (1988). From survival to success: Promoting minority student retention. NASPA Monograph No. 9. Washington, DC: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Resources: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. Amityville, NY: Baywood Publishing. (http://baywood.com)
Recruitment & Retention in Higher Education (Newsletter). Madison, WI: Magna Publications. (www.magnapubs.com)
Website: http://www.noellevitz.com (See profiles of campuses with award-winning retention programs.)