ACTION PLAN - University of Ulster

ACTION PLAN
GOAL 1: Increase retention of all first-time Fall 2002 students from 58.7 percent to 59.7 percent.
KEY STRATEGY F(2): Establish Academic based mentoring programs.
Description/Explanation: Establish mentoring programs similar to the one in the Department of Geosciences,
Atmospheric Science Program. This program has a student lounge/weather which serves as a learning center as
well as a facility for informal social interaction among students and between students and faculty. The lounge
contains chairs, tables, TVs, coffee pots, a refrigerator, tables and sofas and is maintained by the students. The
room also houses computers and monitors for displaying weather data. The interaction mentioned above is
further fostered by the activities of our student chapter of the American Meteorological Society. All students are
encouraged to become members of this “weather club”, which meets regulgarly and sponsors social activitie s as
well as field trips and guest speakers on weather related subjects. Students are further encouraged to participated
in the National Collegiate Weather Forecasting Contest as part of the ULM team. The availability of the lounge
within the department, along with the activities of the weather club create a family environment for the students
which has a very positive effect on their morale and attitude and aids in the retention of students.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE/TIMETABLE
Steps Responsibility Target Date /
Completion Date
Letter to the Deans outlining the actions to be taken and requesting
that departments be nominated for participation. The nomination
would include a faculty member from the participating department
Meet with participating faculty members / Department Heads.
Tour the Atmospheric Science Facility and explain the concept
of integrating the student club, lounge and faculty participation
in scholarly and social activities so that a family “home-awayfrom-home”
environment is created.
Participating departments identify a room suitable for a student
lounge and furnish it to the extent resources permit. Take action
to form an appropriate “student club” for that academic program
if non exists. Identify upper class students within the program
to organize the club if non exist.
Conduct the first student club meeting. Strongly encourage new
freshmen to attend and introduce them to upper class students
and faculty. Organize some king of social activity (picnic,
cook-out, pool party, etc….) to be held within the first few
weeks of school so that the new students can meet faculty and
upper class students in a relaxed and informal setting.
Continue meetings on a monthly basis to plan activities for the
year …. Scholarly, social, or service oriented.
June 20, 2003
July 20, 2003
August 12, 2003
September 1, 2003