Retention in Baylors School of ECS

1
Retention in Baylors School of ECS

• Rishi Sriram
• Student Success Specialist
• April 28, 2006

2
Overview

• Retention before the ECS Living-Learning Center
• 1999 - 2003
• A look at the ECS-LLC and other initiatives
• Retention after the first year of the ECS-LLC
• New retention initiative
• Challenges and questions

3
Retention before the ECS-LLC
4
Engineering Computer Science Living-Learning
Center

• August 2004
• New North Village
• Two primary goals
• Academic community of support
• Relationship with faculty outside of class
• Implementation
• Faculty in residence, unique programming,
  facilities conducive to learning

5
Other ECS Initiatives

• Success 4 Students
• Led by Dr. Walter Bradley
• Cohesiveness in curriculum
• Led by Professor Bill Booth
• Faculty emphasis on retention

6
Retention after the LLC Year One
7
New Retention Initiative

• Fall 2005 University-wide retention initiative
• Purpose help those students capable of
  succeeding turn things around after rough starts
• Help students who do not have the aptitude for
  ECS find a major where they can be successful

8
Early Alert System

• Faculty referral
• Student Success Specialist (SSS) notified
• Meeting
• Contract
• Follow up to referral
• Phone call one week
• Email two weeks
• Student initiated online form

9
Praise from Noel-Levitz

• October 3, 2005 report from Noel-Levitz to Baylor
  University
• Finally, adapt the very innovative and highly
  effective model developed by ECS for intervening
  successfully with students needing additional
  support and enrichment

10
Tutoring

• Two tutors, four nights a week
• One computer science, one engineering
• Free to students
• No appointment necessary
• Some students forced to go by contract

11
Facilities that Foster Learning

• North Village study rooms
• Heritage House study rooms
• Heritage House lounge upgrades

12
Not Done Yet

• Only one data point (Fall 2004 freshmen)
• Will the increased retention sustain?
• Are we still missing students who need help?
• What else can we do to improve retention?