“Change is Coming”: An Approach to Working with Re-enrolled Students in Academic Difficulty

Erik Colon, Academic AdvisorMichelle Jones, Academic AdvisorHarpur College, Binghamton University

Session Overview

Advising in Harpur College Harpur College Policies Re-enrolled Program Data Strengths/Challenges Future Growth Discussion

Academic Advising in Harpur College

Housed within Harpur College 1 of 5 colleges at SUNY Binghamton Liberal Arts school 7,500 undergraduates in Harpur 11,515 undergraduate students at SUNY

Binghamton Academic Advising:

Dual advising structure: general advising & faculty advising

No assigned advisors

Harpur College Policies

Probation: cumulative GPA less than 2.0

Suspension: Academic Dismissal Index (ADI) After probation, cannot raise cumulative GPA

above the ADI are suspended for at least 2 semesters*

Dismissal: Return from suspension and still cannot raise

GPA above the ADI Permanent and cannot return to the university

Re-Admit Program: Getting Started

Target Student Population: spent more than one semester away

from the university cumulative GPA below 2.0

Invite them via email to meet with Erik or Michelle

Students called or emailed us to make an appointment

Re-Admit Program: Meeting Objectives

Review college policies & deadlines

Discuss what happened in previous semesters

Discuss what they learned/reflected upon while they were away from campus Are they pursuing the right major? Study habits? Social interactions &/or campus involvement

Encourage them to continue to meet with us Establish a degree plan Stress importance of campus resources Discuss future goals

Data

Fall ’07 Invited: 55 Responded:22 # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:

Spring ’08 Invited: 64 Responded: 20 (4 returners) # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:

Fall ’08 Invited: 51 Responded: 31 (8 returners)

# who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:

Spring ’09 Invited: 27 Responded: 7 (5 returners) # who’s cumulative GPA 2.0+:

Strengths of Re-Admit Program

Student/Advisor connection

Review of policies

Timing

Challenges We Faced

Data is not always accurate

Students ignore email

Program is not mandatory

Future Growth

Improvements: Increase awareness around campus Develop mid-year reports for students

Ultimate Goals: Make program mandatory Conditionally re-admit students

Discussion

What programs or techniques have worked for your institution to target “academically at-risk students?”