College of Basic and Applied Sciences Advising/Retention Report

What is CBAS Presently Doing for Retention?• Engagement• Professional organizations• Faculty open door policy• Classes introducing the major

• Academics• Living Learning communities• Dual credit programs• Tutoring opportunities• Experiential learning experiences (study abroad)• Use of technology in teaching (Facebook)• Exit interviews for curriculum improvement• Increased scholarships• Curriculum reform

• Career Development• Career fairs• Job pipelines with business• Capstone courses

What is CBAS Presently Doing Related to Advising?

• Have 4 full-time advisors in the college• 2 advisors for 8 majors in the college• 1 advisor for Aerospace• 1 Advisor for the Pre-Health Professions• More than 50% of faculty in college are involved in advising

• Additional • Contact students to see why not registered• Visit classes to announce “Priority Registration” • College Advisors follow up on academic alerts as suggested by instructors• All departments have completed 4 –year maps• Mandatory or intrusive advising in some departments• Increase in advising material online and in print• Being advised by experts in your field• Group advising

- The college advisors are knowledgeable, readily available and an excellent resources for the students.

• Challenges• Serving large number of students with a small advising staff• More follow up/programing needed for students on academic probation• Finding faculty available for advising in the summer• No standardized advising training for faculty

Where has all This Effort got Us?

• Retention: Freshman (2011-12)

Fall 2011 CollegeFall 2011

Enrollment College Enr. Fall 2012# Returned

Fall 2012% Retained

Fall 2012MTSU 3,368 2,364 70.2%

Basic and Applied Sciences 851 Total 597 70.2%Behavioral and Health Sciences 700 Total 491 70.1%Business 280 Total 204 72.9%Education 102 Total 79 77.5%Liberal Arts 370 Total 266 71.9%Mass Communication 442 Total 319 72.2%University College 623 Total 408 65.5%

Fall 2011 College/Major Fall 2011

Enrollment Fall 2012 Major# Returned

Fall 2012% Retained

Fall 2012MTSU 3,368 2,364 70.2%

Basic and Applied Sciences 851 597 70.2%Aerospace 96 Total Retained by MTSU 66 68.8%

Aerospace 52 54.2%Agribusiness 12 Total Retained by MTSU 10 83.3%

Agribusiness 6 50.0%Biology 95 Total Retained by MTSU 65 68.4%

Biology 35 36.8%Chemistry 13 Total Retained by MTSU 6 46.2%

Chemistry 3 23.1%Computer Science 65 Total Retained by MTSU 43 66.2%

Computer Science 28 43.1%Concrete Industry Management 13 Total Retained by MTSU 8 61.5%

Concrete Industry Management 6 46.2%Engineering Technology 87 Total Retained by MTSU 49 56.3%

Engineering Technology 34 39.1%Mathematics 26 Total Retained by MTSU 22 84.6%

Mathematics 17 65.4%Physics 14 Total Retained by MTSU 9 64.3%

Physics 7 50.0%

Retention: Freshman by Major (2011-12)

University Retention – 70.2% ; CBAS Retention Rate – 70.2%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Returned to MTSU 72 71.5 63.4 76.8 70.2

Returned in same major 56.9 47 44.4 54.6 45.3

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

85%

Ret

entio

n Ra

te

CBAS Freshman Retention Rates

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Undergraduates 576 652 635 668 729

50

150

250

350

450

550

650

750De

gree

s Con

ferr

ed

CBAS Degrees Conferred

Comparison Retention Data

MTSU FIU

Central F

lorida

Georgia S

tate

New Orle

ans

North Texa

s

South

ern M

iss

UT Arlingto

n50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

Freshman rate

Comparison Retention Data

MTSU FIU

Central F

lorida

Georgia S

tate

New Orle

ans

North Texa

s

South

ern M

iss

UT Arlingto

n0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Graduation rate

Retention Conclusions• Average freshman retention for CBAS is 70.2% (same as university);

retention within majors in CBAS is 49.2%.• Overall retention is similar to other colleges, but retention in majors is 4th

out of the 7 colleges.• Freshman retention rates in the major range from a low of 23.1% in

Chemistry to a high of 65.4% in Math.• Retention rates for CBAS students returning to MTSU and return to MTSU

in the same major have remain relatively stable since 2007.• Number of degrees conferred by CBAS has been increasing since 2007.• In comparison to our peer institutions we are at or above the average for

freshman retention and graduation rates.

Even though we have seen retention rates remain relatively stable and number of degrees conferred increase, the numbers illustrate a need to do a better job retaining students in the CBAS majors both at the freshman and junior levels.

College Initiatives to increase Retention and Improve Advising• Retention• Supplemental Instruction - is an academic support model that uses peer-

assisted study sessions to improve student retention and success within targeted historically difficult courses. - $70,000

• Freshman Forum - is a required course in each discipline designed for freshmen and transfer students majoring in one of the disciplines in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences to enhance their transition to Middle Tennessee State University by introducing them to their specific major, providing an overview of the major and core requirements, and addressing specific skill sets necessary for success in the major. – No Cost

• Advising• Pre–Health Professions Advising Program - developing a multifaceted, well-

organized approach to supplying students with much needed information and educating faculty on the nuances of advising pre-health professional students, students will more efficiently obtain the information they need to gain acceptance into professional health programs. - $50,000

Department Retention Ideas• Engagement• Travel money for faculty and students to travel to National

Conferences and Meetings • Create an Umbrella Committees to coordinate club activities

within departments• Install digital displays to advertise career and department

activities• Create student engagement rooms for reading, tutoring and

study areas• Increase the use of social media to update and engage the

student community• Create boot camps to prepare students for the college experience

Department Retention Ideas

• Innovative Programs• Increase dual credit programs• Increase women and minorities in underrepresented sciences

(Harvey Mudd)• Increase partnerships with community colleges• Develop faculty student mentoring program• Increase student research and travel grants; especially summer

stipend programs• Modify P/T guidelines to reward faculty who are engaging

students in academic process• Increase study abroad opportunities

Department Retention Ideas

• Academics• Increase tutoring programs/supplemental instruction• Revamp introductory courses to reduce D and F grades• Investigate requiring admission into the major• Develop Advisory Council (Boards) to help with curriculum

improvement and internships• Increase access to buildings and computer labs• Investigate the development of additional degree programs,

especially in the applied field • Major specific introductory seminar courses or colloquium course• Increase undergraduate research opportunities• Increase experiential learning activities in major courses

Department Advising Ideas

• Advising Changes• Investigate mandatory advising option• Investigate mandatory advising at 75 credit hour• Investigate the use of group advising• Investigate the use of open door advising• Develop advising maps for transfer students• Workshops to educate faculty on advising• Develop an evaluation process for student advising • Have majors orientation session prior to first semester on campus• Increase advising staff in the college

Conclusions• The College of Basic and Applied Sciences’ vision of what the

college is committed to in student retention is articulated in the following statement: • By fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that

emphasizes best practices in teaching effectiveness, student support and use of educational resources, the college strives to increase student achievement, leading to higher levels of retention and graduation. Emphasis is placed on developing students with higher levels of critical thinking and life skills that are important for academic and professional success.