Campuses reach out to students in need
RAR program aims at student retention, college completion
by Diana De Leon, reporter

    The Recruitment, Advisement and Retention (RAR) programs on all campuses identify students in trouble and direct them to the help they need to attain academic success.

   Through phone calls and letters, instructors and counselors from all campuses have made it easier for students to stay in school.

   “We have made a difference,” Dr. Larry Darlage, NE Campus president, said.

   Students who have excessive absences, have never attended class or are in trouble academically will be contacted.

   The RAR is a three-step program that includes First Contact, Mentoring and retention programs on all campuses under different names.

   Inroads to academic excellence is the retention program on the NE Campus.

   Instructors identify students who have missed an excessive number of classes, and those students are called.

   The instructor or a counselor calls students to inform them of the specific problem, such as excessive absences or academic failure. The problem and solutions to the problem are discussed.

   “Sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to,” Susie Carranza, head of the NE Campus program and academic advisor, said.

   The next step is a letter identifying the problem that includes the information needed for the student to get help.

   Students cite many different reasons for missing classes, such as work schedule, transportation and finances.

   Many times students are unaware that instructors are willing to work with them to solve work schedule problems.

   Instructors can let students attend a class at a different time to help with such problems.

   On the SE Campus, Robert Rivera, counselor and coordinator of special services, said students who miss more than six classes will be called.

   “We lose students over small issues we could have helped them with,” Rusty Fox, dean of student development and educational services on SE Campus, said.

   The problem could be as simple as study issues or a fear of talking with their instructor, Fox said.

   “We are fortunate to have great instructors who follow up on students,” he said.

   On NW Campus, Dr Shelly Cavin, coordinator of special services, said “Instructors determine the number of absences allowed before a student is considered in trouble.”

   The goal is to keep the student in school and to keep his grade point average up.

   “Most instructors will work with a student,” she said. “Personal problems are the most common reasons given for not attending class.”

   The NW Campus offers degree plan days to help students focus on their goals.

   “The instructors do care about the students academic performance,” she said.

   On South Campus, the program operates out of the center for academic success.

   Daniel Chacon, dean of student development and educational services, said, “I believe this is a fantastic program, our early warning system of phone calls and warning cards help the student know what the problem is and what to do to correct it.”

   The counselors can talk to students and direct them to reading, writing or math labs that can help the student succeed, Chacon said.

   The RAR starts with First Contact, a program designed to introduce new students to the college.

   A welcome letter, brochure, information and direction to counselors to help students focus on their goals are part of the package college students receive.

   An extra effort is made by faculty for students who have not yet decided on a major.

   The Mentoring program is the second part of the RAR and is open to all students.

   Instructors and students are matched according to career path. Participating students are required to meet with their mentor three times during the semester.

   Degree plans and courses to take as well as the student’s GPA are discussed.