Eastern Michigan University considers initiatives to address poor retention rate

Currently, 39 percent of EMU students graduate within six years, and the FAC formed a committee called the Student Success Council to examine possible measures to remedy the problem.

“The overall goals of these initiatives would decrease the number of students on probation, increase student retention, decrease the amount of time students need to graduate and improve graduation rates,” Lynnette Findley, assistant vice-president of retention and student success, told the FAC in a presentation on the initiatives.

Besides the four initiatives, the committee also proposed creating a multipurpose Web site aimed at student retention, which would include a database for university agencies to track students who are at risk.

The SSC asked for a budget of $535,544 to develop the initiatives, and John Dunn, an English professor on the SSC, pointed out that the cost would be offset by the tuition revenue it would bring through retaining students.

“What that means is if we are able to retain an additional 30 students for several years, we come out with a benefit of $330,000,” he said. “We can show that there is a benefit to the institution that would come from this type of funding.”

The FAC was largely favorable to the presentation.

Mark Higbee, a history and philosophy professor on the FAC, said seminars have proven effective at other universities.

“Certainly if it has the kind of impact on first year success that other schools brag about then we would want to do it,” he said.

The SSC reported that 30 percent of students entering EMU end their first semester on academic probation - at a GPA of 2.0 or below. Members said they believe an early warning system in which instructors provide academic and attendance information to multiple campus agencies could help identify and aid those students.

“This is something that I do believe will benefit all of us faculty who are committed to working with the first year students,” he said.

Retention rates at Western Michigan and Central Michigan universities, which are also Mid-American Conference members, are at 54 and 57 percent respectively.

The University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus graduation rate is at 88 percent while Wayne State's is at 32 percent and Michigan State's is at 74 percent.

Findley said the next step is for the provosts to determine funding levels for each initiative with the chief budget officer.

“This is the first stage of a comprehensive plan addressing student success, and we will be building on these initiatives,” Dunn said. “The problem and challenge we are dealing with is a long term one.”

“The next step would be project planning - I don’t have any problems with these,” Regent Francine Parker said.