Program eases new student fears
Calls made to answer questions
Azadi Monawar
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: News
The college launches a First-Year Experience Outreach Calling Program to provide quality support services to the students that promote their success.
This program involves a series of phone calls to all full-time students enrolled at college this semester. This year more than 3,000 new students should expect three calls during this semester, one in the beginning of this semester and two other calls later on.
The calls check on the new students and help them to adjust in the new environment of the college. Specific information the caller relays during each phone conversation includes financial aid, deadline to withdraw and free tutoring at Student Success Center, but students are encouraged to get the answers of their other questions about college. The calls will be made by the student services staff, volunteer faculty and Call Center staff.
"The program is designed to promote the students to ask any questions they may have" Joanna Zimmermann, dean of student development said.
She said Professors have been very supportive to this program as well. They are signing up in large numbers to participate in the program and hope that the Retention Calling Program would help students in their academic success.
"National studies have indicated that this does have a positive impact on student success at colleges," Brook Zemel, Vice President of Student Development, said. "The college expects students to be pleased with the personal contact from the San Jacinto College and we will see an increase in retention and student success."
Dr. Laurel Williamson, vice chancellor of instruction and support services, had great success with this program at her former institution, Lower Columbia College. At LCC, retention rates rose very dramatically and steadily once this program was implemented.
The Student Services has been working on this program during the summer including developing the scripts and an action plan.
The deans of student development of each campus will administer this program on the campuses.
To make clear, this program does not involve warning calls to students on missing or performing poor in their classes. Brook Zemel said vice president of instructions is working on another plan right now that might entail faculty, calling students that are not attending or performing well in their classes.
This program involves a series of phone calls to all full-time students enrolled at college this semester. This year more than 3,000 new students should expect three calls during this semester, one in the beginning of this semester and two other calls later on.
The calls check on the new students and help them to adjust in the new environment of the college. Specific information the caller relays during each phone conversation includes financial aid, deadline to withdraw and free tutoring at Student Success Center, but students are encouraged to get the answers of their other questions about college. The calls will be made by the student services staff, volunteer faculty and Call Center staff.
"The program is designed to promote the students to ask any questions they may have" Joanna Zimmermann, dean of student development said.
She said Professors have been very supportive to this program as well. They are signing up in large numbers to participate in the program and hope that the Retention Calling Program would help students in their academic success.
"National studies have indicated that this does have a positive impact on student success at colleges," Brook Zemel, Vice President of Student Development, said. "The college expects students to be pleased with the personal contact from the San Jacinto College and we will see an increase in retention and student success."
Dr. Laurel Williamson, vice chancellor of instruction and support services, had great success with this program at her former institution, Lower Columbia College. At LCC, retention rates rose very dramatically and steadily once this program was implemented.
The Student Services has been working on this program during the summer including developing the scripts and an action plan.
The deans of student development of each campus will administer this program on the campuses.
To make clear, this program does not involve warning calls to students on missing or performing poor in their classes. Brook Zemel said vice president of instructions is working on another plan right now that might entail faculty, calling students that are not attending or performing well in their classes.
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