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SpeechesRetention of Students Needs Everyone's AttentionRemarks at Penn State's University-wide Retention Conference
Graham B. Spanier
Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be here today to welcome you to this University-wide Retention Conference to initiate an important conversation about strategies designed to increase student retention at Penn State. April 5, 2006 First, I would like to reiterate my firm belief that retention of our students is everyone's business, from the staff who greet visitors in your offices, to faculty in our classrooms, and administrators from every area. I hope that the innovative programs from around the University that are to be featured today will illustrate that retention is an institution-wide process that does not just involve the admissions office or student affairs, but really relies on the entire campus community. At Penn State, we are deeply concerned about the persistence of our students and we have put into place a number of programs and services over the years to promote student success. Despite these efforts, each year about 15 percent of freshmen University-wide do not return to Penn State. Research has shown that student retention can fall off for a variety of reasons: lack of academic preparation, financial difficulty, cultural or social isolation, and personal issues, to name a few. Students also cite home sickness, unrealistic expectations, and geographic shock as reasons for failing to return. With the exception of the weather and our geographic location, most of these are concerns we can address in some way. Early and continuous intervention can play a critical role in helping our students persist. Identifying as early as possible those students who may be at-risk academically and socially is essential. At-risk students may even be known to us prior to their enrollment if we take the time to assess their records. As you know, there are certain factors that come into play when discussing whether a student will remain in college--factors such as personal goals, family structure, parents' level of education, economic status, access to college, and college preparedness. We must do everything we can to help first-year students make the transition to college and find their institutional fit. As you know, emotional turmoil is normal for first-year students, but research has shown that it is during the first year that developing a foundation for student success is most critical. With this in mind, every year I send a letter to faculty members asking for their help in recognizing and addressing the issue of student retention by looking for signs that their first-year students and advisees may need help. Faculty are on the front lines and they know their students best. They know that poor attendance, failed assignments or distraction in class could signal a problem. I know from experience that even the most modest of interventions can make a difference. Again, studies have shown that the frequency and quality of contact with faculty and staff helps determine student persistence. We must all work together in a comprehensive fashion to provide the academic, social and personal support that our students want and need. A number of years ago I described my vision for a more student-centered University, and we have been diligently working toward that goal. Those of you in this room play a large role in that vision and have an important responsibility for extending your ideas on student retention to others across Penn State. We need to engage our students actively in learning and in the life of our University. A highly involved student is more committed to an institution and more likely to succeed. Anything we can do to enhance student commitment to Penn State and help them better identify and reach their goals can only promote retention. Student retention is a complex subject, as I suspect will be highlighted during this conference. But while the topic of student retention may be complex, one "not so complex" part of the equation is that our efforts must be a partnership among faculty, staff, administrators, and students. We have an obligation to the students we admit to our university to do everything we can to help them succeed. I want to thank you for caring about our students and for your commitment to creating a more student-centered University. |
