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Retention Council Minutes

RETENTION COUNCIL

Monday, August 30, 2010: 10.00 – 12.00 noon
280N York Lanes

Attendees: Michael Ah Choon, John Amanatides, Robert Bishop, Jennifer Bramer, Cristina Bregar, Mauro Buccheri,  Donna Cope, Chad Craig, Peter Cribb, Joseph De Souza, Joanne Duklas, Pamela Edgecombe, Rosanna Furgiuele, Mazen Hamadeh, Debbie Hansen, Kari Hoffman, Marilyn Lambert-Drache, David Leyton-Brown, Norda Majekodunmi, John Mayberry, Ross McMillan, Don Murdoch, Praveen Muruganandan, Modupe Olaogun, Brian Poser, Marie Rickard, Mark Robertson, Catherine Salole, Stanley Tweyman, Mark Wilson, Peter Wilson, Ros Woodhouse, Gayathry Wright, Josephine Zeeman.

Co-Chairs: Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt and Robert J. Tiffin

  1. Welcome and Introductions
    • New members were welcomed and everyone introduced themselves

  2. Student Experience Working Group
    • Rob Tiffin provided an overview of the First Year Experience (FYE) Business Case and its continuum model that was presented to the Provost in June 2010.
    • Rob Tiffin is the lead on the Student Experience Working Group. This is one of four Working Groups formed by the Provost to implement priorities identified in the White paper. The other three Working Groups are: Teaching and Learning (Rhonda Lenton, lead); Community Engagement and Outreach (Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt, lead); and Research Intensification (Stan Shapson, lead).
    • The Retention Council subcommittees were identified in the FYE Business Case as the vehicles through which to implement many of the student-related White Paper priorities.
    • FYE is one priority area identified in the White Paper. Advising (first year and beyond) is another key area identified as contributing to student satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). The online degree audit tool has been enthusiastically received; the goal now will be to accelerate its roll-out.

  3. Subcommittee Reports and Remarks
    1. Peer Mentoring (Lynda Tam and Kari Hoffman)
      One of the suggested goals for the 2010/11 year is to compile an inventory of current peer mentor programs at York, including their characteristics and their preparation of mentors. Potential areas for collaboration and coordination will then be identified. Ultimately, a template/model of elements deemed essential for peer mentor programs will be developed.

    2. Advising (Marilyn Lambert-Drache and Praveen Muruganandan)
      Suggested goals for the year include: defining/clarifying the types of advising associated with different areas/roles; identifying practices around interventions with students experiencing academic difficulties and making recommendations; planning and offering professional development sessions for staff (and possibly also for faculty members); making recommendations on the development of information tools for advisors.

    3. Year to Year (Don Murdoch and Brian Poser)
      The immediate priority is Fall Co-curricular Week (Oct 9-15, 2010). All Retention Council members will be contacted for information on their planned activities. This information will be posted on the FCW web site. The subcommittee also will bring forward information/recommendations for easing the transition into university as well as from 1st to 2nd year. This committee is looking for student members.
      NOTE: Fall convocation ceremonies are taking place on October 13, 14, and 15.

    4. Faculty (Mark Robertson)
      The subcommittee will focus on presenting sessions that will encourage and assist faculty members to design assignments that embed the development of academic competencies in the students’ learning process.

    5. Students (Catherine Salole and John Amanatides)
      Three priorities were identified: i) Summer Transition program (including expanding virtual communications); ii) student space  iii) increasing club involvement (introduction and features of the co-curricular transcript were discussed and Ros Woodhouse mentioned that there is literature available on Personal Development Programs).
      NOTE: The Faculty of Fine Arts FA4U initiative was described by Mark Wilson.

    6. Data and Resources (Joanne Duklas and Glenn Craney)
      York currently is administering the BCSSE and will be administering the NSSE in early 2011. Other initiatives include the First Generation Questionnaire to be administered in 2010/11 and 2011/12 and the possibility of conducting exit surveys.

  4. Update on Life Sciences House (John Amanatides)
    26 Biology and Kinesiology students will be participating in the three components of LSH: living in Bethune Residence, being registered in the same courses/labs, and participating in Supplemental Instruction sessions (the SI sessions are peer facilitated organised study groups, via work/study positions).
    Two issues emerged: the June 1st residence deadline occurs after many students already have been advised, and some labs are scheduled in alternate weeks. In both cases, advance planning could resolve the challenges presented by these practices.

  5. College/Residence Programming in 2010/11
    Over the past few years, there has been a steady decline in the number of students opting to live in residence (particularly students in 2nd year and above). Increased coordination between the College Masters and the Residence Life staff has already begun and can provide a "value-added" element associated with living on campus. There was discussion around intentionality and establishing learning outcomes, as well as the importance of assessment.
    Concerns were expressed about the removal of stoves from the residences over the summer months.

  6. Retention Council dates for 2010/11
    As listed on the Agenda

  7. Suggested future agenda topics
    Invite the RLC/Ms to a future meeting
    Include an assessment of fall co-curricular week (December)
    Provide an update on the degree audit roll-out (December?)
    Present reports from the four White Paper Implementation Working Groups
    Residence facility renewals and meal plans