Academic development (AD) programmes for students not complying with the entrance requirements of mainstream programmes in science have been running at a number of universities in South Africa. In this study we contribute to the debate on criteria for the success of AD programmes, specifically in the context of research-intensive universities in…

The student retention study described in this report was conducted by Brunswick Junior College (BJC) to identify ways of improving the persistence of students until they achieve their academic goals. After part I discusses the purposes of the study and the characteristics of the college, parts II and III examine the college's retention rates for…

Discusses attrition research in terms of student characteristics predictive of persistence and reasons students drop out. Itemizes the steps of planning a retention program and suggests retention strategies in three categories: administration, faculty, and student personnel. (DD)

Addressing residential administrators, describes the development of a retention program within a university housing organization, either in conjunction with, or separate from, a campus-wide retention program. Discusses preformation issues, initial formation, assessing available data, defining target groups, developing and implementing strategies…

Defines marketing and discusses the eight steps of the marketing process. Emphasizes the necessity of having one individual or committee responsible for coordinating marketing functions. Notes that marketing's success depends on its acceptance by all levels of the institution. Lists the benefits of implementing marketing in a community college.…

Highlights approaches to improving student retention used at the Agricultural and Technical College at Delhi, NY. Describes the formation and activities of a fact-finding task force and of an ongoing student retention planning and steering committee. (CAM)

In this article, the author relates his experiences leading the building of the School of Engineering within the new University of California (UC) campus of UC Merced. He discusses the goals of the project, as well as the challenges it faced, and concludes with personal lessons for those tasked with similar positions within university building…

Both financial and personal losses occur for students dropping out of higher education. Intervention programs designed to reduce student attrition have been suggested, and it is important to consider the extent to which these strategies can be effectively implemented. (MSE)

This brochure describes the AASCU/Sallie Mae National Retention Project's goals, beginnings, continuing work, and participants. An introduction describes how the Project has resulted in over 370 state institutions looking closely at their effectiveness in student learning and achievement and at emerging accountability requirements. An overview…

The staff development plan presented in this paper was developed in 1989 at El Camino College (ECC) in compliance with California Assembly Bill (AB) 1725. The first sections describe how AB 1725 funding will be used to enhance staff development at the college, report the results of several needs assessment activities conducted to determine the…

Faced with high rates of student attrition, Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) established a committee to assess the effectiveness of the college's support services; review research on student retention; and recommend ways of improving student success through academic skills assessment, student academic advisement, articulation and…

Suggests that college administrators redirect their attention from studying attrition rates to enacting retention strategies based on responding to student needs and providing a more meaningful educational experience. Several studies dealing with the development of retention programs are reviewed. (JAC)

Most college and university retention programs do little to change the quality of academic experience for students, especially during the first critical year of college. One of the most promising reforms is establishment of "learning communities," which feature block scheduling to enable students to take classes together, are organized…

In spite of difficulties in analyzing student retention in community college programs and courses, certain facts about student attrition are known. First, students who drop out of class or school tend to have lower grades than students who persist. Second, the ability of students to drop in and out of community colleges at will has negative…

A Student Retention Committee was formed at the University of Oregon in 1979 to identify probable causes of attrition and to suggest corrective action. A number of existing supportive programs and factors were found, and suggestions included directing greater resources to nontraditional students, in both admissions outreach and campus support…