Norwich looks at student success

After two decades, Norwich has doubled its student population as student retention has become a main focus of Norwich administration. Methods have been used in recent years to increase retention, student success and alumni appeal of the school, according to Dr. Richard Schneider, NU president.

"We are on a path to increase our student success rate," said Schneider. Norwich's goal by 2019 is to have 70 percent of students graduate in four years.

"Still too many of you are leaving," said Schneider, talking about the current 43 percent four-year graduation rate reported by U.S. News & World Report.

There are many reasons students leave Norwich, including problems transitioning into college, family or personal problems, financial, academic, medical and lifestyle-related problems. Norwich has created several programs to help students with their problems.

"There is no silver bullet for why a student leaves Norwich," said Shelby Wallace, director for the Center for Student Success.

Programs such as the Counseling Center and Academic Achievement deal with transition to college life and mental stresses like anxiety and depression. The infirmary and substance abuse support helps with medical, drug and alcohol issues.

These issues are not just Norwich's problems; most other colleges face similar issues in retention.

"I think Norwich has the same," said Wallace, "as other schools in the country, in terms of retaining students, particularly in the first year."

It is hard for many students to transfer from the high school environment to the distinctive college life. In high school, seniors are on top; as college freshmen they are back down on the bottom.

High schools have strict schedules with teachers and parents enforcing them. College students regulate themselves and must be self reliant.

Norwich has "a transition coach who works with certain students when they come in to help them through the dynamics of transitioning that freshman year," said Wallace.

Norwich is an unusual school that provides distinct programs and lifestyles, many which seem exciting to prospective students but may not be what they are looking for.

"The chances are, for some of them, they make the wrong decision," said Dr. Peg Meyer, director of Academic Achievement and Educational Effectiveness.

"If they're not looking for that road less traveled, that road of challenge, then we're probably not the right place for them," said Karen McGrath, vice president of enrollment.

Some freshmen don't put in the effort to succeed.

"I think freshman year, part of your freshman year anywhere, is about willpower," said Meyer. Without the willpower to learn, to do well, students will not make it through their first year.

Some students every year are asked to leave Norwich because of a violation.

"The most common (disciplinary violation) that we see that jeopardize staying here at Norwich," said Col. Richard Van Arnam, "is the violation of the alcohol policy."

 Administrators' advice for incoming freshmen is to stay active. Participate in clubs, sports and academics.Being idle causes problems.

"If they disengage, and they don't become part of something, then they a higher propensity to leave," said McGrath.