USG studies retention

In 2004, former Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Thomas Meredith, created a University System Task Force (TF) on Graduation Rates and charged it with developing a five-year plan to bring the System at least to the national average in graduation rates and to become one of the top systems in graduating students in the longer-term future. The Task Force made recommendations on institutional practices and policies that should lead to increases in student retention rates, culminating in the increases in six-year bachelor’s and three-year associate degree graduation rates.

The recommendations adopted by the Board of Regents require each USG institution to develop a plan for improving their retention rates and six-year bachelor’s and/or three-year associate graduation rates by implementing the principles of the task force.

Raymond Whiting, professor of political science, was appointed as special assistant to the vice president for academic affairs to assist with the effort. Dr. Whiting was already involved with retention at ASU, having chaired the university’s Retention Committee for several years.

The first action was to review a number reports done over the last few years that addressed retention and graduation of ASU students. These reports were done by, or in conjunction, with Augusta State’s Faculty Policies Committee, a marketing effort that included various focus groups in the community and campus, the university’s Retention Committee, and others.

Dr. Whiting developed a draft report on graduation and retention rates that complied with the Board of Regents’ charge and sought input from ASU faculty and staff. The report consisted of four components: Analysis of Retention and Graduation Rates, Program Evaluation, Plan for Retention and Graduation Improvement, and Retention and Graduation Targets. The final report was sent to the System Office in November.

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