ACTION PLAN - University of Ulster

From the Center for Academic and Student Success
Mission Statement
The principal goal of the Center for Academic and Student Success (CASS) is to promote
student success by providing comprehensive academic advising and career counseling
programs. ULM students have the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable and caring
professional counselors who help to ensure their academic and professional success.
The achievement of academic success and the realization of career goals by students
ultimately will benefit the University by fostering greater student retention, higher
academic quality, and enhanced community involvement.
The Academic and Career Counseling Office
This office is staffed by four Academic and Career Counselors, and one administrator.
The counselors work with Undeclared students to provide individualized and sometimes
intrusive academic advising. Students are required to schedule and attend two sessions
with their counselor each semester. The first visit ideally occurs between the fourth and
sixth weeks of the semester, so that students can discuss any areas of concern or difficulty
and the counselor can suggest appropriate interventions. The second visit is for academic
advising. The counselors strive to have students consider scheduling their classes to
optimize their success. From the first meeting with students, the counselors stress the
students= role in understanding the ULM Catalog and attendance policies, knowing key
dates, and working toward their academic and career goals.
Since the inception of CASS these services have been available to Undeclared students
and students referred by the College Dean’s. With the new emphasis on student
engagement and retention, it is expected that the services of the CASS Academic and
Career Counseling Office will be expanded to all incoming Freshmen, and to a broader
student population as directed by the University Administration. The organizational chart
on page 50 outlines a proposed restructuring of CASS, and the addition of six positions
not currently in the CASS structure.
Early Alert
CASS utilizes an Early Alert System for its students. Most Early Alert Reports relate to
absences and missed assignments or exams. Upon receipt of a report, a counselor calls
the student and sends a letter requesting a face-to-face meeting with the student. If the
student does not respond within several days, a postcard is mailed to the student=s
permanent address.
Students who are unsure of their major and have been enrolled in college at least one
semester are referred to the CASS Learning Resource Center to complete the
DISCOVER Interest, Values, and Abilities assessments. The students and their
counselors review the results and identified areas are explored through a combination of
relevant courses, informational interviews with faculty, Job Shadowing, career data, and
part-time employment in related areas.