From reading this material, I got from it that we as Teachers/Instructors should be treating our students as humans. When I walk through the Campus, I greet everyone, even if I do not know them. So, business as usual for me.

At our institution it becomes generally known that on the first day of each new rotation, the rules of our school will be reviewed. This sets up an attitude that they can miss this day and not miss any of the corriculum. This bores the heck out of the students after they have heard it several times. Now when it comes to my class it has become known that I spend minimal time on this rule procedure and launch into the subject to be learned very rapidly. Thus they do not have this time to become bored. Also on day two the ones who did not show are informed that it is thier responsibility to catch them selves up on what was missed.

Recently, my school eliminated all positions but the director, in the Student Services Department. Each program chair in academics was then required to identify one or more menbers of the faculty to take on the role of "Academic Advisor" These advisors are required to perform the tasks which used to be managed by members of the student services department. While I definitely understand the thought process behind giving the students a person to go to who is a member of their faculty, and theoretically, this person will be their advisor for the student's entire time at school, this can and does present a couple of issues. Faculty members are specialists in the knowledge areas for which they teach. Teachers are a student's contact point in the classroom. Often times an instructor becomes an authority figure in the classroom, and this carries over to outside the classroom as well. A person in the role of Academic Advisor needs to be able to be a friend and confident, as well as an authoritarian. When a student goes to student services to discuss a problem or issue they are having, they want to be able to talk to someone wh can come down to their level. In order to maintain proper classroom conditions, an instructor can not do this! It can weaken the dynamic of the classroom. Another point to consider is that when a student goes to student services to discuss something, they want to feel that they are going to someone who's job and responsibility it is to help and handle the students issues. All students know that when instructors take on the role of academic advisor, it is an "extra" duty on top of their regular job requirements. They tend to not see the same level of expertise in an instructor performing the role of advisor, as they would in someone who is an employee of the student services department. Now, my school has had some really good results as a result of this change. I personnally feel that this is due to the dedication level of the particular instructors who are doing the job. The instructors chosen have been the type who would do anything to ensure that the students are properly and effectively taken care of. (Sometimes at the cost of classroom time, and DEFINITELY at the cost of their own personal time!!!) I am presenting this posting for two reasons. First, I feel it is important for any school concerned with retention to try alternative methods of reaching the students. Even if it does mean more involvement by the instructors. But second, I think that a Dedicated, specific staff of student services employees can provide a level of confidence to any student who comes to see them with an issue or a problem. Thank you.

Retention metrics are useful & helpful only if they can actually have an impact on retention initiatives. With that in mind, essential retention stats might include data from checklists used by both the student and admissions personnel. In addition, how effective would admission and retention benchmarking interviews be? For example interviews such as offer rejected/accepted, post acceptance interviews, drop out interviews etc. may also hold valuable data that can be measured and used to improve retention statistics.

One thing I have learned is that there is a certain amount of stress that is required to cause someone to be successful. If a student is in a school situation where there is absolutely no stress created by challenge or competition, then the student will have nothing to "rise to". A certain level of stress is necessary to bring out the best in people. As instructors, we should always try to alleviate the negative stress, and reduce the amount of unrealistic stress on our students. But we should also strive to encourage a positive reaction to the stress that Should exist in a classroom. Every student needs to understand that college is supposed to be a preperation scenario for life in the industry of their studies. If college is too easy, we are setting our students up for failure in their chosen field. Obvoiusly the opposite is true as well... if school is too hard, the students will give up trying due to being overwhelmed. However, as facilitators of LIFE education, instructors in college situations need to make sure that the students understand that life is difficult. Life is stressful. And it is better for students to learn these lessons in school, which is a safer environment, and where there are teachers and support personnal to assist them, than to "skate" through college, only to "Hit a Wall" once they graduate and realize that there ARE challenges out there. There IS competition for Everything! People are going to stress you out, just for the purpose of watching your reaction, because they enjoy it. So, as teachers, we need to educate our students about the reality of stress, and assist them in overcomming it. NOT try to eliminate it!!!!!

I have long believed that a students perception of the quality of the school will contribute heavily to a student's dedication to completing a program of study. Schools like Harvard, MIT, Yale, and other such Ivy league schools do not have serious problems with retention and attrition. In my opinion, a prime reason for this is the stringent guidelines and requirements necessary for acceptance into the school. A person can't just walk in off the street, and start classes the following Monday... Any perspective student of one of these schools must first meet the entry guidelines, and then complete any and all of the entry requirements. Like an ENTRANCE EXAM!!!!!!! Any schoolo that does not put a requirement on students entering the school is GOING to have difficulty with students leaving the school. I have found that a good majority of the students who start college are NOT actually prepared for what is expected of them! Regardless of how well a school attempts to meet the expectations of the students, the students' must be made to meet the expectations of the school!!! Until this changes, retention will Always be a problem in private, post-secondary education.

in order to succeed with you mentoring program at your school; we must have all that It's required from both formal and informal programs ,tool's proper and professional training, dedicated candidates who can perform with devotion !

When working on an issue with a student and consequently referring them to a licensed practioner, do we continue through the eight stages of the intervention process? Does my work go from four to seven?

What monitoring approaches or tips can you provide to make this process less abrasive? I think that sometimes students feel overwhelmed and may become unresponsive to monitoring. I have to remind myself they are "young adults" and following procedures is the last thing on their minds.

My employees are very knowledgable in Financial Aid, however they fell disrespected by other departments. How do I reconfirm their worth and re-establish a healthy work environment?

you must display your self in a manner which the student will feel comfortable, and also feel he or she will be getting what they expected for the time and money they invested.

It is most important to set the expectations on the first day. Letting the students know what standard they we be held to, to be able to be successful. Also by adding life experiences keeps everyone on a positive outlook.

It is important to give life experiences and to show you are a human also. This will build accreditation with the students and bring them closer to their work and the instructor. Any time that the instructor shows the do’s and don’ts the students get to see how the training will apply.

I feel (from the instructor side) that the friendlier faces the students see the more comfortable they become. The interaction with students helps build retention by giving them people to trust. It gives more familiar surroundings and keeps the student comfortable.

The two common fears are class mates being smarter and not fitting in. When coming into our school here, we get a verity of students. Some of our students are coming here to learn something new. Their back ground may include Military, Accounting or many other life experiences. You never know what back ground people have brought with them. Some students are afraid of being accepting by others. Some of our students are younger and still like to play games and pick on other people. This is something that all staff member watch for in our learning environment.

What are three expectations that you have of the students that you tell every class on the first day? What are three expectations that the students should have of you that you tell every class on the first day?

What do you think the similarities and differences are between managing a successful business and managing a successful class? Is success measured the same for both?

Having a good repore with all depts. can only enhance the student experience

Let the students see that you're excited about what you do. After awhile it will rub off.

Just smiling and greeting students as they come in eases alot of tension they may carry with them. The class may be their escape from a tough situation, so lets help them out