NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/2/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University has seen its enrollment steadily increase for the past four years. And one reason for the increase is the university is doing a better job of retaining its students.

NSU has increased its student retention rate to 65 percent, a four percent increase over the previous year and an eight percent increase since 1997.

"This increase is part of our overall effort to elevate student achievement on academic pursuits," said Northwestern Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas A. Burns. "This reflects the effort of our faculty and staff to impress on students the importance of scholarly achievement and student acceptance of responsibility and accountability."

Northwestern has developed successful programs in the University College and in the Division of Student Affairs to give students access to tutors and student services as well as extracurricular activities which can provide a needed outlet.

The University College has expanded its EXCEL Program. The program originally worked with students in two or more developmental classes and now also assists students who do not meet NSU's new admissions standards and are placed in associate degree programs.

EXCEL involves free student services through the University College. The services include content area tutoring, intensive academic advising and monitored study hall with computer access and counseling.

"The EXCEL Program is there to help students build an academic foundation," said Christie Anderson, coordinator of academic services in the University College. "We have significant contact with the students and are here to answer questions about financial aid, academic requirements or other things that may come up. These students are the ones who may not know what to do to solve a problem and by ignoring the problem it becomes more difficult to handle."

Last spring, each academic dean selected faculty in their college to serve as Dean's Select Advisors. These faculty help EXCEL students register and provide other assistance with academic problems.

"The faculty has done an outstanding job in working with us," said Anderson. "They have a genuine desire to help students and the results have been positive."

The EXCEL Program has improved retention rates among eligible students by 11 percent from 53 to 64 percent in three years.

Anderson says one of the main factors in improving retention is making sure students get to know people at the university.

"The research is clear that students are more likely to stay if they develop ties with faculty, staff and peers," said Anderson. "We encourage group interaction, getting to know one another and building relationships."

Northwestern has also begun issuing fourth week grades as an "early warning system" for students. Fourth week grades are given to students in developmental classes, all 1000 level courses as well as History 2010 and 2020.

"This allows students to know how they are doing in class while they still have time to improve their grades," said Anderson.

The Division of Student Affairs has implemented programs in the university's residence halls to create a better environment for students. Some improvements were made based on a student satisfaction survey completed last year. Students were also appointed to committees empowered to recommend changes.

NSU has also started a Freshman Experience Program which partners freshman with upperclassmen who will help guide them through their first year of college. According to Coordinator of Residential Life Woodrow C. Blair, the program is based on a successful program in place at Georgia Tech.

"The freshmen are able to have someone to talk with about their work," said Blair. "If they need information or help, the upperclassmen are there to point them in the right direction. They are like a coach who encourage the students and even do things such as reminding them to go to class."

Upperclassmen will work with up to three students and go through training to learn how to work with fellow students and make them aware of the range of university services.

Extracurricular activities are also a part of student retention. NSU has more than 80 chartered student organizations, both academically related and social. Northwestern also has an intramural sports program as well as a Student Government Association and Student Activities Board which plans events for students.

"We work to provide programs and activities which will meet the needs of all students," said Director of Student Activities and Organizations Carl P. Henry III. "All of the staff in Student Affairs are oriented toward assisting the students. We know that students who get involved in campus activities and organizations are more likely to stay in school, graduate and be more employable."

According to Director of Enrollment Services Ina Agnew, Northwestern will be proactive in its approach to improving retention. The university plans to survey those students who left the university to find out why the students left and if they can be persuaded to return.

Agnew said another factor in improving retention is a series of improvements in the Office of Financial Aid. Packaging of financial aid is done more quickly and students are able to determine individual costs of attending school. Additional services have also been made available on the Internet.

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