Skip to content
Chancellor's Blog

Chancellor's Blog

Chancellor Austin Lane

Menu
  • Chancellor Home
  • SIU.edu
Menu

Growing enrollment by helping students continue their education

Posted on April 29, 2021April 29, 2021 by Austin Lane

In recent months, we’ve talked a lot about attracting students to our beautiful campus and helping them decide to become Salukis. Equally important to our efforts to grow enrollment is keeping the students we already have and guiding them on the path to graduation.

In recent years, SIU Carbondale has invested in student retention. We opened the nationally recognized First Saluki Center for the 40% of our students who identify as first generation. We have implemented software to better track students’ progress, improved advising and UNIV101, and are using an early warning system to identify and assist students who might not be doing well during those critical first few weeks of college.

Another important part of our retention efforts is to encourage students to register for fall classes before they leave for the summer. It is a campuswide effort. You may have noticed the signs around campus. You may have noticed graphics and videos of professors and students on social media.

In addition to the social media posts, students may have seen digital ads, read about registration in the weekly e-newsletter that goes to every student’s inbox or heard from a relative who saw an article in the e-newsletter for Saluki families.

A lot is happening behind the scenes. Advisors and admissions professionals are communicating with students by phone and text, and UNIV101 instructors are reaching out to former students. As students sign up for housing, they are reminded about registration. Colleges are reaching out to their majors, while university leaders are getting in touch with other students. The SIU Foundation’s student callers will urge fellow students to register.

We’re also working to remove barriers. Financial Aid is talking to students who have holds on their bursar accounts, and Student Affairs is working with students who need to update health records or resolve other issues to remove holds. In residence halls, resident assistants are directing students to resources to address personal concerns.

If students register for fall classes now, they are more likely to return after summer. Of course, this is in our university’s best interest. Growing enrollment provides the foundation to address other institutional priorities such as equitable and competitive compensation and hiring people to fill essential needs. This is why you may have read brief articles in SIU Today about encouraging students to register.

Many times, I have heard faculty and staff ask how they can help with enrollment. One simple step you can take is to ask students you teach or supervise at work if they have registered for classes. If they have yet to do so, provide them with a friendly reminder that if they sign up for courses now, they are more likely to get the classes they desire at the days and times they want. If a student expresses a concern, you can refer them to Saluki Cares at salukicares.siu.edu.

It is also in our students’ best interest to register now and continue to see a return on their investment of time and resources. We must do everything we can to set Salukis on the path to earn their degrees and achieve success after graduation.

Subscribe

Receive the Chancellor's Blog in your email.

Name

Email


Contact the Chancellor

Share your feedback and questions.

Categories

  • Academic excellence
  • Alumni, friends and community
  • Campus Life
  • Chancellor Carlo Montemagno
  • Chancellor John M Dunn
  • Health and safety
  • Higher education
  • Kudos
  • Recruitment and retention
  • Saluki students
  • Statements
  • Uncategorized
  • Vision 2025

Archives

  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018

RSS SIU News

  • SIU’s Tenney lecture to focus on interdisciplinary teaching of math, art and science
  • SIU students win national business competition
  • SIU student’s research may lead to better control of invasive pythons
  • SIU celebrating Black History Month in February with guest speakers and more
  • SIU’s Valentine’s Day Craft Sale invites public, vendors

CONTACT US
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 | P: 618-453-2518 | E: universitycommunications@siu.edu

©2023 Chancellor's Blog | Built using WordPress and Responsive Blogily theme by Superb