From Suspension to Success – Collaborating to Transform

1. From Suspension to Success – Collaborating to Transform NACADA Annual Conference October 8-11, 2014 Minneapolis, MN

2. Presentation Speakers Ila Schauer, M.Ed. Professional Advisor – 15yrs PVAMU – University College Rosena Noel-Barrs, Ph.D. Professional Advisor – 14yrs PVAMU – University College

3. PVAMU Mission • Prairie View A&M University is a state-assisted, public, comprehensive land grant institution of higher education. The university was designated in a 1984 amendment to the Texas Constitution as an “institution of the first class”. It is dedicated to achieving excellence and relevance in teaching, research, and service.

4. PVAMU Mission • It seeks to invest in programs and services that address issues and challenges affecting the diverse ethnic and socioeconomic population of Texas and the larger society including the global arena.

5. PVAMU Mission • The university seeks to provide a high quality educational experience for students who, upon completion of the bachelors, masters, or doctoral degrees, possess self- sufficiency and professional competence.

6. PVAMU Mission • The experience is imbued by the institution’s values including, but not limited to, access and quality, accountability, diversity, leadership, relevance, and social responsibility.

7. University College (UC) University College is committed to providing for freshmen an academically focused, student-centered supportive, structured environment. This environment is focused on: • improving matriculation, retention and graduation rates; • increasing student success in academics; and • facilitating a smooth transition to the world of higher education.

8. University College (UC) University College is organized to include: • Academic Advisement • Academic Enhancement • Testing and Tutoring

9. UC Mission The UC Division of Academic Advisement is organized: • To provide holistic, effective accessible advisement for incoming freshmen and other special populations; • To serve as a resource for departmental advisement. The division is also committed to providing centralized support and referral services for the students of University College.

10. UC Goals • Provide effective advisement on major and career selection based on a comprehensive analysis of each student’s academic skills, interests and the results of appropriate instruments. • Provide effective advisement on class selection based on major requirements, student’s academic history and current skill levels. • Provide appropriate academic interventions that encourage student success. • Provide accessible, centralized support and referral services.

11. Satisfactory Academic Progress • The qualitative measure of academic progress is based on a grading scale of 0.00 to 4.00 and the students' enrollment classification. • Once undergraduate students have attempted 24 hours, they must have achieved at least a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average.

12. Satisfactory Academic Progress • Students must successfully complete at least 75% of their credit hours at Prairie View A&M University. The following table provides an example of the number of credits a full-time student may attempt and successfully complete each semester:

13. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • Probation – A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0. • Suspension – A student on probation who does not receive a 2.0 semester grade point average. A period of time (semester or one year) where a student is not allowed to take any course work at the University.

14. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • Suspension – A student on probation for three consecutive regular semesters. NOTE: This is possible if the student who has a cumulative grade point average earns a semester grade point average of 2.0 or above but does not raise the cumulative grade point average above 2.0.

15. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • The Appeal - A student on probation who has earned a 2.0 or better for three consecutive semesters can appeal the suspension to the Admission and Academic Standards Committee before serving the suspension.

16. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • Students may appeal suspension decisions or petition for re-admission to the University Appeal Committee according to appeal/ petition process.

17. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • The length of the first suspension is one regular semester. The second suspension is for one year. After a second suspension, a student must meet all academic requirements or be dismissed. • Academic probation and suspension will be noted on the student’s permanent record.

18. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • Following suspension, a student will be on probation for the next semester and thus governed by the guidelines for students on probation. • Academic probation and suspension will be noted on the student’s permanent record. • Following suspension, a student will be on probation for the next semester and thus governed by the guidelines for students on probation.

19. Academic Probation and Suspension Policy • Students who are suspended are expected to strengthen their academic skills by pursing credit or non-credit courses or programs related to their academic or career objectives; or • engage in other activities that can positively impact students’ preparation for success upon returning to the University following a suspension.

20. FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN COHORT TRACKING ~ 2008-2013

21. Collaboration Team • Professional/Academic Advisors • Academic Program Instructors • Living/Learning Community Coordinators • Tutoring Center • Testing and Diagnostic Services • Counseling Services • Financial Aid

22. Participant Recommendations • Share your ideas for Collaboration Team Members?

23. Transformation Strategies What we MUST practice: • Develop and utilize a “Protocol for Students Allowed to Return from Suspension on Appeal. • Implement advising holds for students with less than 2.0 GPA at mid-semester. • Ensure probationary students re-enroll in courses with “D” or “F” final grades. • Incorporate Academic Coaching techniques in the Advising process (Intrusive and Prescriptive).

24. Transformation Strategies What we MUST practice: • Complete the “Student Assessment for Academic Success and Implementation Plan Strategies” during the first 4-6 weeks of the first semester. • Develop/revise/update as needed an electronic “Student Engagement” reporting log for monitoring of student academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.

25. Participant Recommendations • Share Your Ideas for Transformation Strategies?

26. References • Institutional Research and Effectiveness, (2014). Retrieved from www.pvamu.edu. • Prairie View A&M University E-Catalog, 2013-2014. Retrieved from www.pvamu.edu. • Quality Without Compromise: The University College Strategic Plan Update for Fiscal Years 2009 – 2013.

27. University College- Academic Advisement Contact Info University College-Academic Advisement Prairie View A&M University PO Box 519, MS 3000 Prairie View, Tx 77446 Phone: (936) 261- 5900/5911 Fax: (936) 261-1136 www.pvamu.edu