Initiatives that enhance the student experience and academic success of transfer students on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus are among the topics the University’s Board of Regents will discuss when it meets next week.
The discussion will take place in one of multiple committee meetings Thursday, May 9, before the full Board meeting on Friday, May 10.
The Twin Cities campus enrolls a much higher percentage of transfer students than peer institutions across the country. In fact, the campus welcomed 2,994 new transfer students in 2017-18. The University retained an average of 86.2 percent of those students after their first year. Retention rates for first-year transfer students across several diverse student populations – including greater Minnesota students, students of color and first-generation students – were all 84.5 percent or better.
Overall, transfer students – many of whom are continuing their education after completing two-year degrees at Minnesota State institutions – make up more than one-third of the campus’ new, degree-seeking undergrads.
“Educating transfer students is an integral part of the Twin Cities campus undergraduate enrollment strategy and is important to ensuring University access, particularly for students who started their studies at two-year institutions,” said Robert McMaster, vice provost and dean for Undergraduate Education. “Our focus is helping transfer students transition smoothly to our campus and providing unique opportunities that engage them and connect them to our campus community.”
Transfer student initiatives include a dedicated orientation program and Welcome Week activities; a series of workshops designed to connect first semester transfer students to University resources; a University Transfer Student Board that represents transfer students’ points of view; a dedicated transfer student honor society; and the Leaders in Transition Living & Learning Community, which gives transfer students an opportunity to live together in a residence hall and build a network with others who share similar interests and experiences. These and other investments in transfer student success are showing positive academic results.
McMaster and colleagues will also discuss transfer student demographics and the admissions processes.
Enrollment plans for Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester campuses
The Board is expected to take action to endorse enrollment plans for the University’s Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester campuses. Chancellors from each campus outlined their distinctive enrollment strategies and goals at the Board’s March meeting. These plans were guided by a number of principles established by the Board, including to attract the best and brightest students from Minnesota, maintaining access and affordability, diversity, and high-quality student experiences and academic success rates.
The Board endorsed the Twin Cities campus enrollment plan in 2016 and has received regular updates on its progress, most recently in February.
The Board is also expected to:
- Celebrate the achievements of faculty, staff and students throughout the University system, recognizing new award winners and fellows, distinguished service and NCAA national champions.
- Consider a proposal to allow alcohol sales in general seating areas of 3M Arena at Mariucci and Williams Arena, expanding this practice from TCF Bank Stadium, which has sold beer and wine in general seating areas since 2012.
- Review proposed real estate transactions, notably a land exchange on the Duluth campus and a purchase of property near the southeastern corner of the Twin Cities campus.
For more information, including future meeting times, visit regents.umn.edu.
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