Questions and Answers Sheets (Interview one)
- Is there any explicit or implicit statement related to First year students in your college/department/unit? If yes, please provide evidence.
A: There is no written statement that explicitly emphasizes on first year students in the mission and vision for CAS but rather it is included as goal in the goals and objectives of the college strategic plan and quality assurance documentations.
Elaboration:
The interviewee stated that although there is no explicit statement in relation to first year students, first year students are already identified in CAS as those students who have not declared their major and normally would have less than 30 credit hours. The interviewee also gave an in-depth description about the need of creating a program that would overcome any academic difficulties first year students would encounter especially after the changes that have been made to the Foundation Program.
According to the interviewee, the number of first year students reached 3800 students this fall 2013. Faculty members have expressed their concerns towards the low academic level of most students and the increased number of 'at risk' and probation students. These concerns are translated to goals and objectives included in the strategic plan to aimed at improving students' academic level.
Suggestions:
Meeting with VP for Quality Assurance for further details regarding first year students experience
- Is there any explicit measure/ policy / service related to First Year Students in your college/ department? If yes, please provide evidence
The interviewee stated various measures, policies and services designed to serve best the sole needs of first year students, the CAS faculty and staff members commit themselves to the following:
- Providing excellent tutors to help improve students' academic level and increase their success.
- Offering variety of workshops to enhance students learning experience and personal growth
- Facilitating new student transition to their preferred major.
Elaboration:
CAS has taken steps this year to further help first year students to achieve minimum requirements to be accepted in their major. One step is to establish a new center for instructional technology that offers training workshops on how to use QU learning management system as well as other web applications. Usually those sessions are booked immediately by new students, which give an indication of its importance.
In addition to that, College of Arts and Sciences has assigned high qualified TAs and the use of the utilization of outstanding senior students to offer tutorials specifically to first year students to help them improve their academic skills and assist them in specific core curriculum courses.
Another excellent service provided by CAS mentioned by the interviewee is an online system that would assist first year students in identifying majors available and requirements needed for enrolment.
Suggestions:
A meeting with Student Support Coordinator Unit for more information regarding the services provided for students to help them improves their academics.
- Are those measures / statements / policies, successfully communicated / disseminated? YES + NO
Yes
Elaboration:
The interviewee mentioned several examples on how information is communicated to the students. One of the ways is to send first year students reminders of CAS policies via email. The other is an orientation session carried out every year for the first year students to introduce them to CAS majors, requirements and policies. For more effective communication, classroom visits are at times arranged by one of the CAS staff members to introduce the first year students to various services provided by the Support Unit.
- What are the current measures, policies, or elements that hinder progression, success and retention of first year students?
The interviewee expressed her concern in the constant change of policies and program plans. This forms one of the major issues that challenge students' progression and success in CAS.
At times, first year students receive conflicting or unclear messages from Student Affairs staff which leaves students confused and lost.
- What measures or policies should be implemented in order to enhance the success, progression, and retention of first year students?
Policies and academic programs need to be stabilized.
A more effective and elaborate advice for the first year students is needed.
Since the number of the students has increased, the number of advisors needs to be increased to match the student number.
