Nuts and bolts session

Title: "Using Institutional Research Projects to Improve Student Retention Management "

Bill Johnston

Abstract

Student retention has become a major institutional issue due to the need to: conserve student fee income in a period of under funding; meet political demands for wider access and participation targets; respond to change and diversity in the undergraduate population; illuminate the phenomena of student disengagement. Work on retention can be a powerful channel to understanding and improving the first year experience. This session offers an opportunity for discussion of research on retention within an institution, which is specifically aimed at improving institution wide awareness, and stimulating innovations in practice.

Bill Johnston will introduce the session by presenting an overview of funded work carried out at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland during 2002/3. This work was supported by the Principal and Senate, and included gathering data from interviews with senior academic officers, HODs, administrators, support services, student representatives, and a questionnaire with a sample of 1st year classes, and postal survey’s of students in suspension and students who had dropped out. A holistic model linking retention to recruitment and progress during 1st year was derived from the analysis to identify key areas for action and further research.