The Department of Academic Affairs is examining ways to raise graduation rates and ensure students will be able to graduate on time by tracking students’ course selection.
Freshmen majoring in biochemistry, finance, political science and mass communication will be monitored by the department as they complete their first two semesters.
James McCoy, vice provost of Academic Affairs, said the department hopes improving advising and course availability will help with student retention.
Student retention is the percentage of students who return to the University each year until they graduate. The University’s retention rate is about 85 percent. This average is in line with the national average, McCoy said.
“With the caliber of students we have, [the retention rate] could be a little higher than that,” he said.
The department’s goal is to prepare students to enter their college on time.
“It’s to help students clearly define their academic choices,” McCoy said.
He said students often consider course availability, counselor advising and their career aspirations when they schedule.
“We’d love to have students meet with their advisers, but they have to figure out when they can do that and how we can do that,” McCoy said. “We want to make that a better opportunity.”
The department also wants to make more courses available to students, he said.
“That’s what this is all about,” McCoy said. “Trying to figure out ways that students are served better.”
He said graduation rates are related to the Flagship Agenda.
“Becoming a high-caliber institution, you’re measured by how you retain your students and how many you graduate,” McCoy said.
—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected].