Utah State University

Welcome


The University Retention and Student Success Committee supports the mission and goals of Utah State University by providing student-centered, campus-wide leadership to develop, implement, and advocate student retention practices that facilitate the success of all students from their first semester through graduation from USU.

Objectives:

1. Supporting University efforts to pursue the purposeful recruitment of students so that all students find the best fit for their educational and career goals.

2. Advocating specific courses and programs designed to promote academic inquiry, self-reliance, and community, particularly in the first year. In addition, these courses and programs direct students to quality resources and services that aid their adjustment to the University environment.

3. Nurturing student development through participation in a broad-range of University opportunities.

4. Engaging parents of Utah State University students by providing information about happenings at Utah State, offering an opportunity and outlet for parents to communicate with the University, and enlisting the support of parents in their students' experience.

5. Recognizing and continuing current practices that positively influence student retention.

6. Coordinating research and assessment efforts that contribute to retention goals.

7. Promoting the efficient and effective use of resources that lead to student success.

Format:

Structure of the University Retention and Student Success Committee

  1. Committee is comprised of four action-oriented subcommittees and an executive committee. The subcommittees are comprised of representatives from departments, programs, or services.  The executive committee is comprised of the subcommittee chairs and the Director and Associate Director of the Retention and Student Success office.  Interested committee members may attend the report segments of the meetings.


  2. The subcommittees are:


    • Underserved Populations - Athletics, Disability Resource Center, Gear-Up, GLBT students, International Students, Multicultural Office,  Student Support Services, Veteran’s Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center


    • Academic Experience – Academic Departments, Academic Resource Center, ASUSU, Career Services, Change in Enrollment programs, Early Academic Alert Program, Financial Aid, Honors Program, Regional Campuses and Distance Education, Residence Life,  Undergraduate Research,  University Advising


    • Student Engagement ASUSU, Connections, Parent’s Program, Passport Program,Public Relations and Marketing, Residence Life, Service Learning, SOAR, Student Health and Wellness,  University Advising


    • Student Retention Data Tracking and Assessment –  (utilizing data as component of research development,   programs and services) Admissions, AAA, Leave of Absence program,  Retention and Student Success office, Registrars Office, University Advising


  3. The Executive committee will appoint a chair and issue a charge for each committee.  The committee will be charged to set and complete goals that address issues that impact the retention and student success issues in their area.  The chair will call the monthly meetings (September-May), send out the minutes to all committees and move along the action items.  A staff member from the Retention and Student Success office will record minutes, distribute the minutes and post them on the Retention and Student Success committee website.


  4. Committees will meet once a month.

    5.  

  5. There will be an executive committee meeting in early December and early May.  Committees will submit a written and oral summary of their goals and accomplishments, as well as goals for the following semester. 


  6. The executive committee will summarize the report and distribute it campus wide.  

 

Timeline:
September 2009:  Subcommittees hold their first meeting, select chair, and create a mission statement.
October 2009: Committees set goals and begin action steps.
November 2009:  Committees continue on action steps.  Chair begins to prepare report for early December Executive Committee meeting.
December 2009:  Executive committee meeting. Chair from each committee reports orally and in writing on goals and progress on action items.  Report also includes goals and action items for spring 2010.
January 2010:  Retention and Student Success committee report distributed campus-wide.  Subcommittees begin spring semester process.