RETENTION COUNCIL
Monday March 21, 2011 10:00-12:00pm
280N York Lanes
Attendees:John Amanatides, Michael Ah Choon, Ronda Bessner, Robert Bishop, Jennifer Bramer, Mauro Buccheri, Carolyn Cannon, Donna Cope, Joanne Duklas, Rosanna Furgiuele, Debbie Hansen, Grase Kim, David Leyton-Brown, Polly MacFarlane, Norda Majekodunmi, Don Murdoch, Praveen Muruganandan, Modupe Olaogun, Brian Poser, Catherine Salole, Garry Spraakman, Lynda Tam, Stanley Tweyman, Marty Williams, Peter Wilson, Josephine Zeeman, Bart Zemanek
Chair: Rob Tiffin Note Taker: Suharshi Perera
1. AIF Process
- Rob Tiffin provided an update to the group.
- Proposal review process is still going on. A meeting with Patrick Monahan is scheduled for next week. Letters will be sent out in early April regarding funding decisions. There are some overlaps as some projects are similar in nature.
- Members suggested appointing someone to oversee how the approved proposals are faring. They also suggested having a university wide forum next year to discuss the accomplishments (i.e. Senate Planning Forum might be a good venue.) It is important to take into consideration that some programs might not have accomplishments to show during the first year.
- Some accountability has to be built in to the AIF spending process.
- There will no guarantee that a program which received funding this year will receive funding in the subsequent years.
2. Sub-Committee Updates
Advising:
- First training session for academic advisors went well. 35 people attended. Focus of the session was “What does advising mean at York?” Some people felt that advisors were underappreciated
- Planning for one session per month until December
- March session will be on welcoming new students; role of advisors; new services
- Garry Sparaakman stated that some of the information on university web-site regarding course credit was inaccurate and if it was to be solved some of the advising relating questions will be answered.
Peer Mentoring:
- Sub–committee met twice since the last Retention Council
- Components of the Peer Mentoring program - Peer Mentoring 101, Campus Resources & Support Services, Inclusivity, The helping conversation, Team Building & Resilience
- Group will participate in a Peer Mentoring webinar on the 22nd of March
- Mentors will be trained in different locations across the campus and existing resources will be used.
- Mentors’ tool kit will be developed.
Year-to-Year/Orientation:
- Communications planning is ongoing for Fall Co-curricular Week
- A print flyer has been developed for distribution through advising centres, Red Zone, etc.
- Updates via Facebook, Twitter linked to web site
- An event guide is in development; events will be similar to last year
- There will be communications to Faculties and individuals to seek assistance in promoting events
- Group discussed whether to include the weekend as part of the FCW.
- Need for clarity about distinction between Fall Co-curricular Week and February Reading Week
- How to improve Faculty participation - Promote FCW at chairs’ meetings
Students:
- A handout on “New Student Transition Initiatives” was distributed
- Red Zone has been relocated to Vari Hall, Will be open from mid-May to end of August
- Piloting of new student portal
- Student Services Play will be available for Academic Orientation. Members suggested filming the play
Data & Resources:
- Passport York protected data web site will be created
- a data request form is being launched
- Glenn Craney (OIRA) has received funding for HECQO
- York Engaged Students (YES) - New Campus Employment Program. Differs slightly from Work-Study positions as more leadership work is involved. Pays $12 per hour. Hiring will be posted on the web-site by the end of the month. About 50 positions will be available in summer and about 100 positions will be available in Fall/Winter. Funding for YES positions are coming from Work-study budget. CLAY, RAY & YES positions require donor money. Employers have to identify YES positions in their areas.
- NSSE - York response rate is still ranked low in the province. Guelph & UWO are ahead of York. We need to encourage students to take the survey. An exit survey also should be initiated.
Faculty:
- No updates were made.
3. Residence Life - Themes
- Bethune pilot project is going on well.
- Each residence will have minimum one theme. Nature of the themes varies. They are a mix of curriculum, cross program & nonacademic related themes.
- Value added experience will be introduced (i.e. Study Groups, Exam Preparation Help, and Field Trips etc.)
4. International Student Initiatives
- Most international students will be in the city during the FCW. More activities should be aimed at them.
- Organize weekends in the communities. Get support from Alumni Office and have international students get invited to spend Thanksgiving at someone’s home. Glendon College organized seniors to invite international students to their homes last year.
- Out of Province students should also be targeted in these initiatives.
- International Students can apply for internships.
- Rob suggested that someone from York International (possibly Craig Wright) be invited to the next Retention Council meeting to discuss this topic.
5. Other Business
- Rob Tiffin and Marty Williams invited the members to visit the new space for Centre for Aboriginal Student Services located in the second floor of York Lanes.
6. Next Meeting
Friday, May 6th from 10.00 – 12.00 noon in room 519 YRT
