Connect. Care. Calendar. Each of these play a role in student retention.
Now that we’ve passed a significant calendar benchmark, Fall Break, it’s an opportune time to intentionally reinforce your connections with students and communicate care by normalizing the request for help. This crucial message will help them navigate the remainder of this semester and plan for the Three-Week January Session and rest of 2022 Spring Semester.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Let us know how CFE can support you.
Connie Schaffer, Ed.D. Director, UNO Center for Faculty Excellence
Many students may not think about asking for academic support, but they are more likely to seek assistance if a faculty member specifically recommends this. Students can expand their network of support by connecting with the Math and Science Learning Center, Writing Center, Speech Center, and specialized academic support services within your college. Faculty might consider…
Sharing their own story of getting academic assistance during their college experiences.
Taking a minute at the beginning of class to encourage students to schedule in-person or remote appointments with the academic learning centers.
Reviewing this video, made by students, on how they've found success utilizing UNO's academic support center resources.
Care-Centered Teaching Tip:
Normalize Needing Help
Normalize seeking assistance. Most students – those who struggle and those who don’t – benefit from connecting with support services. Faculty can destigmatize the struggle by…
Informing students that thousands, yes thousands, of UNO students take advantage of these services every semester.
Suggesting students connect with a wellness coach who can work with them on study planning and time management and support them as they encounter common challenges of college life.
Use the Behavior Review Team (BRT) to communicate concerns about students with multiple absences or who have health or well-being struggles.
Calendar Tip:
Reinforce Important Dates
Students may have grading options (traditional grades, taking a ‘W’, or switching to credit/no credit or audit) for your course, but these decisions must be made by November 5. Students should also be thinking about the upcoming semester and enrolling as soon as possible. Faculty help students navigate the options and deadlines when they…
Direct students to academic advisors who can discuss available grading options within specific programs and help students consider the pros and cons of any decision they may make.
Remind students to put 2022 Spring enrollment deadlines on their personal calendars, which includes the Three-Week January Session. Specific enrollment times can be found in a student's MavLink account:
October 25 – Graduate students
October 27 – Seniors
October 29 – Juniors
November 2 – Sophomores
November 4 – Freshmen
November 8 – Open enrollment
Encourage students to learn more about the Three-Week January Session that will run from January 3 – 21.
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