The Chancellor’s 2011 State of the University address outlined a set of ambitious goals for the campus to reach by the year 2017, one of which is to attain a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In support of this goal, the Office of Academic Affairs is providing approximately $250,000 of one-time funding to assist faculty, advisors, and staff in academic units to develop projects and initiatives that will demonstrably impact students’ retention and graduation rates. The sole restriction is that funds cannot be used for faculty salaries and must be spent before May 31, 2013. Up to $150,000 may be requested and funds may be allocated to any purpose for which state funds can be spent. Proposals may include partnerships between campus units. Those that maximize the one-time funds for the greatest student impact on retention and graduation rates will be advantaged in the review process.

Research has identified several factors that can improve retention and graduation rates in post-secondary education:

· Connecting and engaging students to the campus, especially in the first year, through curricular and co-curricular activities

· Providing advising that is intentional, integrated, and ongoing throughout students’ careers

· Emphasizing and supporting the quality of undergraduate learning and teaching with particular attention to high enrollment 100 and 200-level courses

· Eliminating curricular barriers that impede students’ time to degree

· Engaging students in high-impact practices, such as learning communities, service learning, study abroad, research and creative activities, etc.

· Monitoring student progress through coordinated action by campus members

· Identifying measurable goals and action plans for retaining specific populations (transfer, international, first-generation, veterans, etc.)

Faculty, advisors, and staff in academic units are encouraged to propose projects that have the potential to directly improve student retention and graduation rates. Examples might include large-scale projects such as developing “hybrid” online curriculum to address capacity issues in high-enrollment courses or developing advising programs or new learning communities for particular student populations. Smaller projects could entail departmental retreats focused on revising curriculum to promote student retention or bringing an external consultant to review a current process or program that impacts students’ time-to-degree. Proposers are welcome to discuss ideas prior to proposal submission by contacting Dr. Amy Goodburn at agoodburn1@unl.edu.

Proposal forms can be accessed online at http://go.unl.edu/em5. Proposal forms with a one-page itemized budget are due by Monday, December 5, 2011 and should be submitted electronically to academicaffairs@unl.edu.