Northwestern State University

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Student Retention Planning Committee Orientation
January 8, 2002
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Student Retention Planning Committee
Purpose In consultation with Noel Levitz,
develop an comprehensive University
student retention plan that is consistent
with the University mission and with the
Board of Regents Master Plan for Public
Post Secondary Education
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Student Retention Planning Committee
The Product
University Retention Plan
Clear Goals
Key Strategies
Detailed Action Plans Objectives
Timetables Responsibility Budgets Evaluation
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Student Retention Planning Committee
The Process
Gather baseline information
4/02 -12/02
Noel Levitz
Develop goals/strategies
1/03
Retention Committee
Retention Committee
Develop action plans
2/03 -3/03
Facilitate Plan Implementation
4/03 10/03
Noel Levitz
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University Master Enrollment Plan
Marketing/Recruitment Plan
Retention Plan
Clear Goals
Key Strategies
Detailed Action Plans Objectives
Timetables Responsibility Budgets Evaluation
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Board of Regents Master Plan
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Selective Admission Levels

• Level I. LSU
• Level II. UNO, TECH, ULL
• Level III. All other 4 year Universities
• Level IV. LCTC

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Selective Admissions Level III

• Tops Core Curriculum
• HS GPA equal to or greater than 2.0- OR
• ACTC equal to or greater than 20 - OR
• Graduate in the upper 50 of the HS graduating
  class
• Single developmental class
• 15 of its entering class set aside for
  admissions exceptions

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TOPS Core Curriculum

• 4 Units English
• I Unit Algebra I, I Unit Algebra II, I Unit
  Geometry, Trig, Calculus, Alg.III, Probability
  Statistics, Discrete Math, Applied Math III.
• I Unit Biology
• I Unit Chemistry
• I Unit Earth Science, Environmental, Physical,
  General, Biol.II, Chem II, Physics, Physics II
• I Unit History
• I Unit World History, Western Civilization or
  World Geography
• I Unit Civics and Free Enterprise, or Civics
• I Unit Fine Arts
• 2 Units Foreign Language ( same language)
• 1/2 Unit Computer Sci., Literacy or Business
  Computer Applications
• Total of 16.5 Units

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2005 Admission Decisions for Freshmen Test Pool
of 1207 Students admitted for term 2002-3
(Total Enrollment 2276)

• Admitted 708 59
• Met TOPS, GPA, ACT/SAT and Rank 380
• Met TOPS and ACT/SAT 1
• Met TOPS GPA 16
• One Dev. Class 264
• Out-of-State Criteria 19
• Adult student 25 yrs of Age 28

• Denied 499 41
• Did not met TOPS 378
• Did not meet GPA/ACT/Rank 2
• 2 Dev.Classes 66
• 3 Dev. Classes 53

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Role of Noel Levitz

• To assist the Board of Regents with the
  identification of potential problem areas, and
  assist in devising solutions.
• Assist each university with the development of an
  enrollment management plan to include the
  development of recruiting and retention
  strategies.

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Phase I Student Recruiting

• Identify the strengths of the university (selling
  points in publications)
• Identify the weaknesses (areas where additional
  resources may be necessary or reallocated)
• Identify Opportunities (how we may increase our
  market share in existing markets or expand into
  new ones)

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Student Recruiting (cont.)

• Develop goals for 2003-2005
• Develop strategies, establish timelines, and
  assign responsible parties
• Determine the necessary resources (human,
  capital, etc.)
• Determine costs for full implementation of the
  plan

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Financial Aid Review

• NSU is overawarding the incoming freshman class
  with institutional aid
• Students aid package should be established based
  on need and academic performance.
• All parties awarding scholarships to incoming
  freshmen should notify the Scholarships Office
  immediately so as not to over package the
  student.

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Financial Aid Review (cont.)

• Federal aid should be the primary packaging
  source.
• TOPS should be considered as a secondary source.
• University scholarships should make up the
  difference between a students unmet need and
  established aid package target based on academic
  performance.

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Student Retention Plan

• Award limited resources to those students most
  likely to be retained. (SEOG, Perkins, Work
  Study)
• Award scholarships to those students most likely
  to be successful in college.
• Help students understand their own role in
  maintaining eligibility for all aid.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
THANK YOU!