Retention Initiative for Unscheduled Sophomores and Unscheduled Readmits

Abstract

The retention initiative described in the study was performed at a comprehensive public university in northwestern Pennsylvania that offers associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees, and enrolls approximately 6,000 students. In an attempt to increase student retention, phone calls were made to: 1) non-returning sophomores, and 2) students who had applied for readmission to the University after a hiatus. The purpose of the phone calls was to facilitate the students' registration for classes, and thus, their return to campus. This strategy proved effective as a retention device and it provided useful information regarding local reasons for non-return, as well as recommendations for changes in University procedures that could increase student retention. Cross-divisional cooperation is noted as critical to student retention.