At this time, nothing. Due to the numerous guidelines we must follow, faculty receive knowledge about the students based on special circumstances such as ADA requirements. Students enter into a new class every 6 weeks and typically attended with a different instructor.
I have made it a practice for my admissions reps to introduce our prospective students to instructors or their program chair during the interview/tour. This way they meet them before the enroll and can ask questions and gain information that perhaps even the reps are not aware of. If we know ahead of time that a student has issues (ie: transportation, day care, etc) we let student services know in advance so that we can connect them on orientation day (or before) and the staff isn't caught off guard. When a student enrolls we also have the program chair call and congratulate the student; this way they can connect and answer any questions the student may have after leaving their interview/tour.
Bobbi--
Introducting sstudents to their instructors is an excellent practice. I am sure it makes a big difference for your students. It certainly sounds like you do great things to ensure your students are prepared and their barriers addressed. Congratulations!
Susan
I think that faculty need to truly understand their students. I was an admissions advisor and mentor for both undergraduate and graduate students before becoming a faculty member. This was invaluable experience. It helps me to understand how students come to the decision to attend school. Then once they arrive, as faculty we take over in another instructional/guiding capacity.
Student experience/professional work history is just one great area. I use this to create shared knowledge and experiences in the classroom. Students can also brainstorm about various career paths, internships, and companies.
Any personal information shared would be helpful. This can be related to student fears and expectations. If a student expressed interest in Graphic Design, it would be helpful to have a graduate of the program talk to them about their work experience as it relates to their experiences with the school.
Confidentially if a student has a personal, health issue or learning disability, I convey it to the instructor for better understanding and encourage the instructor to take out some time and work a little closer with the student, alotting more time for them to do their work. Clearning I do not state the exact issue, I circumvent in letting them know to better understand the student, the true issue is kept strictly confidential.
Carmen Bernard
During the application process, the applicant's are required to submit a personal essay. We also require a personal interview during the admission process which allows the Committee to gain additional information from the potential student. The Committee often writes notes during the interview in reference to the candidates strengths & weaknesses. We have returned to look at these items when a student is struggling but it might be helpful to review them with the faculty before classes begin to help get students on the right track. We also provide many opportunities for advising during the semester.
Lori--
This sounds like a great practice. I am sure that both you (the school) and the student have a much better understanding of each other by the time they sit in the classroom.
Susan
Our school is unique in that a majority of our students come from other areas.
They don't know where to shop, and are not acclimated to the area. Sharing general information makes them feel more welcome.
This is one reason we initiated a motorsports club, to provide students with fun after school and weekend activities to participate in.
I am not sure what information that the admissions deparment collects in general. I think it would be an excellent idea to give the students a general questionnaire that lets us get to know some general information about the student. Maybe the student's background, family information, their academic history, their thoughts feeling about college, and as always, plenty of telephone numbers to contact the patient. This type of information could be helpful for an instructor to be able to review prior to a class of new students.
Tyson
David--
Excellent! And this is also a way to help the bonding between them as well as find out where to shop, etc. Great!
Susan
Tyson--
Many admissions departments do have prospective students complete some sort of questionnaire at the first visit. If not, we should certainly be collecting this information as they progress through the admissions process. As you point out, it is extremely helpful.
Susan
I tell my students to sit where they want to be for the rest of the rotation and then I make up a seating chart to help me learn their names.Next, I ask each one their name and any nick names they would like to be called and ask each one to tell us all a little about themselves.
GW
Demographic information could be helpful in personalizing faculty interaction with new students. Knowing the age group or if they are a first generation student in their family could be helpful.
I am not 100% for sure what they collect, however, I believe they collect demographics, are they the first in their family to go to school, do they have brothers, sisters, children, spouse etc. They find out where and when they went to school. What is the student’s expectation while in school? What we can do to help them be more successful. They may also ask them if they have barriers that could cause them to struggle in school.
Patricia--
These are all excellent questions and helpful information. One tactic I really like that was posted in this class is an institution that has students write this information down along with their motivation for attending college. They have them read what they wrote several times during their attendance to remind them of why they enrolled.
Susan
I am not sure what information that the admissions deparment collects in general other than personal demographics.
I didn't realize that admissions advisers kept personal notes on each student. I'll keep this in mind in the future and contact an adviser if I ever have any questions about a student or wonder about their situation. Very useful.
Do to FERPA regs we don't share very much. We do share with the faculty the list of students who are starting along with phone, email, and program they are enrolling in. At the faculty meeting the faculty ask students to share with them, and the other new students various pieces of information about their lives.
