Student Success

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First-Year Advising Requirement (FYAR) Hold Removal Pilot

PROJECT STATUS: IMPLEMENTATION

The purpose of this pilot is to minimize unintended consequences of the First Year Mandatory Advising (FYMA) registration hold that is placed on a student's impact on equitable student success. It intends to test the mechanism of the registration hold to enforce the requirement and not to test the efficacy of the First Year Advising Requirement.

Accomplished

  • Project team reviewed data for an initial analysis of hold removal effectiveness.
  • In May 2025, the Project team, in collaboration with Office of Student Success’s Progression Team, sent targeted communications to three student groups to be used in assessing effectiveness of the Pilot, as well as the method and timeline for implementation:
    • Student questionnaire sent to 2,481 students who completed their FYAR appointment. 78 students responded to the survey (3% response rate).
    • Student questionnaire sent to 202 students who have engaged with advising, but have not yet completed their FYAR (response rate is too low for inclusion in analysis).
    • Phone outreach to Fall Admit students who have not yet engaged with an advisor nor completed the FYAR, totaling 21 students.
  • As of June 2025:
    • 82% of Fall 2024 admits have completed their First Year Advising Requirement. The two prior years have seen 86% and 85% at this time. (-4%)
    • 63% of Winter 2025 admits have completed their FYAR; The two prior years have seen 74% and 72% at this time. (-11%)

In Progress

  • Synthesizing feedback from student questionnaires and outreach to incorporate into a draft summary of Pilot’s Year One outcomes and effectiveness (to be ready and shared with the advising community in July 2025).
  • Currently seeking participants for the advisor focus group (3 advisors have expressed interest to date). 
  • Developing a set of questions for advisors to be used in an advisor focus group (Summer 2025).
  • Based on in-progress data review, the Project Team is considering a recommendation to extend the Pilot for one additional year. While the number of students completing the FYAR has dropped, we are intrigued by the increase in the number of students who completed the requirement within their first term, as well as opportunities to improve requirement completion with enhancements in Slate Student Success.
  • Based on the comprehensive assessment of FYAR Hold Removal Pilot, the Project Team will provide recommendations on whether or not to continue the Pilot into AY25-26. 

Project Team

Sponsor: TBD
Project Lead: Randi Harris
Project Manager: Kara Hayes
Team: Ilka Bailey, Nicolle DuPont, Hilda Escalera Gonzalez, Andrea Garrity, Kara Hayes, Becki Ingersoll, Cori Watkins
Collaborators: Undergraduate Academic Advising, Office of Student Success, Office of the Registrar