New program to retain students gets national attention

VINCENNES -- A new student-retention program aimed at preventing students from dropping out at Vincennes University is drawing national interest.\nThe "Student-to-Student Call Center," created by President Bryan Blanchard, will employ students to call other students within the first three weeks on campus to see how classes are going and whether the students need anything or have any questions.\nThe center will be operating when students return to campus in late August.\n"Those are simple questions but it's surprising how few colleges and universities ask them in time before it's too late and the student has left school," said Kim Everett, director of the center.\nEverett said the program's goal is to keep students in touch with campus events and assist them when needed. The center might also help retain students who otherwise would drop out or not return for a second semester, she said.\nBlanchard, in his first year as university president, established similar centers at community colleges in Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maine.\n"When I was interviewed for this position that was one of the ideas I proposed for Vincennes, to have a similar type program to help with student retention," he said. "And the board endorsed that idea and we've been able to get it in place for this coming school year."\nP. Teresa Farnum, Vice President for Retention Services with Noel-Levitz, a national educational consulting firm, said the plans for the call center are "impressive and creative."\n"The plans incorporate solid retention principles in a unique and creative way, rarely seen on other campuses," she said. "Call centers are fairly common for recruiting students, but the model that Vincennes is considering is to serve currently enrolled students"