Retention at Trinity College

1
Retention at Trinity College
Deirdre Flynn Derek Richards, Student
Counselling Service.
2
Is Retention a Problem?

• What do we know?
• What can be done by academic staff?
• Strategic initiatives (T.I.) in college and
  externally
• The Retention Network

3
What is known

• Morgan 2001 A study of non-completion in
  undergraduate University courses
• Non-completion rates TCD
• The average non-completion rate across Irish
  Universities is 16.8

4
What is Known

• Completion rates at Trinity College for students
  who began their studies in 1992
• Engineering
• Computer Science

5
What is known

• Course choice and commitment (Baird, 2002,
  Mathews Mulkeen, 2002)
• Students ability to integrate socially and
  academically (Tinto, 1987,1993)
• Unpreparedness for course of choice
• Conflicts between demands of work and study /
  academic underperformance
• Multiple factors personal, financial and social

6
Retention / Withdrawal

• Avoidable and advisable withdrawal
• 2/3 happy with their decision to leave
• 90 planned to return or had returned to
  education
• 41 left without talking with anyone
• Second level career guidance consultation (13
  only) (Baird, 2002)
• 51 of Junior Freshman had considered leaving
  college (Harrington et al, 2001)

7
Interventions

• Interventions by lecturers (weeks 4-8, prior to
  summer exams, post exam results)
• Connect with students building relationships,
  departmental receptions
• Integrate general skills (study, stress,
  Interpersonal) into your teaching / core
  curriculum GENSIP
• Provide early and frequent feedback re
  performance
• Linking and referring to other service providers

8
Interventions

• Peer tutoring programmes
• Target students at intake
• Transition year students
• Course prospectus
• Exit interview and SAS
• Other interventions

9
College Retention Projects

• Junior Freshman Project
• Peer Support
• Access
• Learning Support Project
• Peer Tutoring in the Language Departments
• Peer Tutoring in Computer Science
• Mathematics support Project

10
Other Retention Projects

• Tackling the problem of students early learning
  difficulties with computer programming DCU -
  Nora Brophy and Elaine Breslin
• Information and Communication technology learning
  centre UL Michael English
• Analysis of specific interventions for 1st year
  students in the areas of information technology,
  computer science and mathematics Gearodin Ui
  Nia et al.
• Exploring maths underpreparedness at third level
  Olivia Gill et al, University of Limerick

11
Retention Network (CHUI)

• Objectives
• Improve all students chances of achieving their
  maximum potential
• Foster a coordinated approach between Student
  Services and Academic Staff
• Advocate an open systems approach