Retention Question

[financeguy]

What does your institution do once someone announces an intent to withdraw? I've been tasked with coming up with some out of the box ideas to improve retention  (and hence completion rates) in a program.

[mamselle]

Student or TT prof?

(Sorry, the ambiguity was irresistible...)

M.

[mythbuster]

I don't think there is an "announcement" at my institution (Public, Compass Point). They just don't register for the next semester. My gut also says that you are likely too late at that point. But it might be good to survey those who left to see if there is an outstanding issue or trend that you can address to prevent further losses.

So maybe follow up rapidly with those who miss their registration window?

[Caracal]

I don't think there is an "announcement" at my institution (Public, Compass Point). They just don't register for the next semester. My gut also says that you are likely too late at that point. But it might be good to survey those who left to see if there is an outstanding issue or trend that you can address to prevent further losses.

So maybe follow up rapidly with those who miss their registration window?

I assume this is highly dependent on the program. In doctoral programs there are often really strong cultural pressures to continue in the program. That usually means that when people leave of their own accord, it is usually because they have decided they lack the vocation and motivation to continue.

There are probably different dynamics in masters or professional programs, but I'd still say that for any sort of post grad program, you would need to start from the premise that some attrition is just a result of people who start a program and realize they want to do something different and focus on people who are leaving for avoidable reasons.

[Ruralguy]

Surveys or even better, interviews with people planning to leave (who tell you about it enough in advance) can probably help identify avoidable problems such as harassment/bias.  They might also identify weaknesses in teaching and research focus.

But I think some of the reasons are just going to be: no longer interested in the field, not doing well enough academically, personal issues (depression, illness, family problems, don't like location, too expensive compared to other options).

In other words, people leave for lots of reasons. I highly suspect you will not find a "silver bullet."  But its right minded to try to figure that out.

[mamselle]

And people who don't want to burn bridges may never tell you the "real reasons."

Or even do the exit interview.

M.

[Parasaurolophus]

Nothing.

(There's no negotiation wiggle on contracts here. Everything is set in stone via the union. You get what you get at your step on the salary ladder, nothing more.)

[mythbuster]

Mamselle really hit the nail on the head here that this question needs clarification. My response was about undergrad students. Caracal then responded about grad students, and Parasaurolophus joined in with regards to faculty.  Which group are we talking about?

[Dismal]

I don't really see any of these groups (undergrads, grads, faculty) announcing their plans to withdraw in a way that would then trigger an intervention. Maybe grad students do in private conversations with their advisors. There are studies of what predicts persistence among undergrads.

I know for high school dropout there are efforts to create early warning systems. One predictor is a pattern of poor attendance. But even then the students don't announce their plans to drop out - they just don't come back to school.

[Mobius]

Outside of cost/personal issues, our students cite lack of all-online options or lack of courses, in general. HyFlex is not the way to address lack of online options. Leaves the in person students work an experience that is lacking if most students ditch in person sessions.

[Ruralguy]

Since the OP  use the words "completion rates" and "withdrawal" we can be pretty sure he is speaking of students.

A lot of this depends also on typical age of students and whether or not they tend to have full time jobs or many part time jobs.

[Parasaurolophus]

Since the OP  use the words "completion rates" and "withdrawal" we can be pretty sure he is speaking of students.

A lot of this depends also on typical age of students and whether or not they tend to have full time jobs or many part time jobs.

Yeah, my sleep-deprived brain didn't connect those dots.


Here (UG only), the student just fills out a form and withdraws. I, personally, make sure they know about the policies on Incompletes, in case they prefer that. Mostly, th withdrawals I see are for life stuff that the institution can't do much to help with.

In my PhD program, it was usually suggested they take a leave of absence before officially deciding to withdraw.

[Ruralguy]

I'm not precisely sure how withdrawals were handled, because most people who left seemed to do for academic reasons, though I think maybe at least a couple weren't doing real well academically, but weren't booted either. I think that led them to re-assess, and when in those moments they also couldn't find a research topic or adviser that was compatible, they left. One of these students, who actually did quite well academically, withdrew largely for geographic reasons, and also not a fire in the belly for traditional academic research (they were a bit into SOTL though). Now they have a very prominent professional role with a prestigious field specific academic society.