November 6, 1998

University task force addresses student retention

by Angelique Narcisse, A’98, intern in the offices of publications and public affairs

In an effort to address various issues involving retention, university provost David C. Danahar has appointed Lydia Voigt, assistant provost for academic affairs and Nan Massingill, dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management, chairs of the University Task Force on Student Retention. Comprised of deans, faculty, staff, and students, the task force initially met on September 25. Members of the task force attended an all day workshop on October 24 to explore ways in which Loyola can improve and enhance student life and learning as well as to ensure that task force members had a common understanding of the large body of data on retention. Voigt asserts “we have a commitment to the continuing process of improving education. Loyola has a vibrant educational community, but we know we can enhance it and make it even better.”

Ten subcommittees– Instructional Effectiveness, Post Baccalaureate Programs, Academic Advising, Academic Support and Career Development, Campus Services, Campus Climate, Student Life and Traditions, Alumni Affairs and Public Relations, Freshman Experience, and Recruitment and Financial Aid– were created to examine retention issues in depth. According to the mission statement, the ultimate goal of the task force is to “develop a university wide retention plan including implementation strategies and clear measures of the university’s progress toward improving the quality of student life and learning. The retention plan will represent an affirmation of the university’s mission and commitment, recognizing that our primary responsibility is always to our students. Everything we do must promote their learning and success. We must ensure that the results of our vision, talents and efforts exceed our student’s expectations.”

Both Voigt and Massingill are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the task force. Voigt notes that “the response [of the task force] speaks volumes to the commitment and dedication of the Loyola community to improving the institution.” Nationally renown experts on college retention, John Gardner and Betsy Barefoot, served as workshop leaders and provided significant support in moving the task force process forward. The task force will meet monthly to discuss issues and a steering committee has been formed to assure that the committee will accomplish its goals. Ultimately, the task force will submit its suggestions to the University Planning Team. Voigt reiterated a quote by Ernest Boyer, who said, “The quality of effort must be measured not by the certainty of the outcome, but by the quality of the quest.”

The 1998-1999 Student Retention Task Force Committee Members are: Katherine Hodges Adams, A&S, English; Michele Allison-Davis, Law Admissions; Blanca Anderson, A&S, Modern Foreign Language & Literature; Nancy Anderson, A&S, History; Sarah Attaya, College of Business; Patrick Bailey, Public Safety/ University Police; William Barnett, College of Business; Timothy Barnett, Danna Center/ Student Activities; Kristi Bergeron, Student Government; Barbara Bihm, City College; Julie Boone, Counseling & Career Services Center; Wallace P. Boudet, Financial Aid; Patrick Bourgeois, A&S Philosophy; Darlene Brooks, College of Music; William Cahill, Information Technology; Cynthia Dorsa Caire, Institutional Research; Christopher Cameron, Student Affairs; John Cornwell, A&S Psychology; Ted Cotton, A&S English; Michael Cowan, City College; Natalie Cross, Admissions; Mitchell Crusto, School of Law; Elenora Cushenberry, Office of the Registrar; Edward D’Antoni, School of Law, Alumni Relations; Jerry Dauterive, College of Business; Kristine David, Public Affairs; Rebecca Dayries, Student Government; Anthony Decuir, College of Music; Eric Delgado, Student Government; Marilyn Dittman, Alumni Board; Patricia Dorn, A&S, Biological Sciences; James Eiseman, Student Affairs; Kim Ernst, A&S Psychology; Barbara Ewell, City College; Tim Fanguy, Student Government; Mark Fernandez, A&S, History; Christopher Flynn, Counseling & Career Services Center; Wing Fok, College of Business; Klaire Frick, Student Government; Amy Gagliano, Admissions; Joseph Ganitsky, College of Business; Ray Garofalo, Express Card/ Parking Services; Marcel Garsaud, School of Law; Duke Gleeson, Student Government; Donna Goforth, Human Resources; Georgia Gresham, A&S, Drama and Speech; W. Mark Grote, Visual Arts; David Gruning, School of Law; James T. Hannan, Student Government; Kara Hannan, Student Government; Dee Harper, City College; Charlotte Harris, Human Resources; Joseph Hebert, College of Business; Teri Henley, A&S Communications; Sanford Hinderlie, College of Music; Cara Huey, Student Government; Brett Jacobs, Information Technology; Denis Janz, Religious Studies; Mary Troy Johnston, A&S Political Science; Stephanie Jumonville, School of Law; Stamos Karamouzis, City College; Kathleen Kobs, City College; Lynn Koplitz, A&S, Chemistry; Edward Kvet, College of Music; Torrey Lawson, Student Government; Rev. Clyde LeBlanc, S.J., Campus Ministry; Robert LeBlanc, Student Government; Blaine Lecesne, School of Law; Justin Levitov, A&S, Education; Richard Lucore, City College; Andrew MacDonald, A&S English; John Mahoney, College of Music; Daryll Manning, Student Government; Nan Massingill, Admissions & Enrollment Management; Edward McCaughan, A&S Sociology; H. Jac McCracken, College of Music; Jan Melancon, A&S Education; Melanie McKay, A&S, WAC; Vicki McNeil, Student Affairs; Julia McSherry, Publications; Lauren Montgomery, Student Government; Constance Mui, A&S Philosophy; Shannon Murphy, Student Activities; Dawn Noel, City College; J. Patrick O’Brien, College of Business; Pam Occhipinti, School of Law, Student and Career Services; Jeffrey Ory, Alumni Board; Brenda Owens, City College; Jenny Perkins, School of Law; Megan Pollman, Student Government; Deborah Poole, Library; Michael Rachal, Office of the Registrar; Robert Reed, Residential Life; Connie Rodriguez, A&S Classical Studies; Darla Rushing, Library; Michael Saliba, College of Business; Stephen Scariano, A&S Math & Computer Science; Joe Schott, Student Government; Elyssa Schultz, College of Business; Frank Scully, College of Arts and Sciences; John Sears, Institutional Research; Karen Shields, New Student Orientation; Sarah Smith, Academic Enrichment & Disability Services; Debbie Stieffel, Admissions & Enrollment Management; Jason Stienle, Student Government; Elizabeth Stuart, Maroon; David Swanzy, College of Music; Robert Thomas, A&S Communications; Julie Thomas, Bursar’s Office; Pamela VanEpps, College of Business; Judy Vogel, Student Finance; Lydia Voigt, Academic Affairs; Julian Wasserman, A&S, English; Tom Weatherall, Alumni & Parent Relations; Trish Welsh, Student Government; Catherine Wessinger, A&S Religious Studies; Roger White, City College; and Billie Wilson, City College.