15-to-Finish

As a part of the new student orientation experience, incoming students hear numerous presentations from faculty, staff, and administrators about making the transition to college. The Fifteen to Finish initiative is a focal point of the new student orientation experience, particularly as it relates to the time spent with the academic advisors and during registration.

In Fall 2014, department chairs developed program maps for each major. These maps were then published in the online catalog and shared with students in an effort to help them stay on track toward degree completion and to increase their understanding of program requirements and course sequence. In addition, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) developed interest-area maps (metamajor maps) for undecided students.

A campus-wide initiative was implemented in Summer 2014 to provide new students beginning in Fall 2014 with 15 hour schedules for their first term of study. These schedules were developed in advance by academic advisors with input from the students. We provided information on the 15-to-Finish campaign to incoming students through our orientation presentations and to faculty staff advisors through our advising training sessions throughout fall and spring semesters. 

Centralization of 1^st and 2^nd year advising to normalize caseloads and provide targeted advising and coaching/intervention services to specific student populations (freshman, transfer, adult, military and secondary-admit programs)

Beginning fall 2014, Academic Support Counselors began registering new students before their scheduled orientation session. Advisors have begun advising students that 15 hours per semester is a full-time load as opposed to 12 hours, and that 15+ hours per semester are required to graduate on time