The University at Buffalo is committed to providing the resources needed for entering freshmen students to graduate in four years. Finish in 4 is the university’s commitment to help students make it happen and to assure they understand their responsibilities in achieving this important goal. Launched in the spring of 2012 for the entering class of 2016, Finish in 4 is a campus wide effort to meet our student’s graduation goals. For more information, visit the Finish in 4 website.
To improve four year graduation rates and to provide unique educational opportunities to all undergraduate and graduate students at The University at Buffalo, the university is exploring the possibilities and benefits of a winter session that would occur between the fall and spring semester terms. Benefits of a winter session include unique educational opportunities such as study abroad, internships, intensive study courses, etc. in a defined period of time without impacting the normal academic load in fall and spring semesters, an opportunity for students experiencing previous academic challenges to get back on track, and typically smaller class sizes that meet for extended periods that enable students to build collegial relationships with classmates and professor. Currently, a group of UB faculty and staff have been convened to develop an appropriate calendar and guidelines for a winter session starting as soon as possible. Learn more about Winter Session planning.
The university has set ambitious goals for new undergraduate student recruitment. To achieve these goals, we are developing strategic enrollment plan to be in place within the next 12 months making this plan operational for the Fall 2013 recruitment cycle. The strategic planning and resulting operational planning and implementation will focus on enrollment cohorts at the graduate and undergraduate level with emphasis on effective goal setting, establishment of measurable key performance indicators, enrollment and marketing related research, and continuous monitoring of progress toward goals. To facilitate the development of the strategic enrollment plan (SEP) the university will evaluate whether it should establish an Office of Enrollment Management supported by an enrollment planning council.
In parallel with enrollment planning, development and implementation, we are exploring ways to enhance the university’s understanding and strategic deployment of our financial aid resources. As planned tuition increases are now established and student debt continues to be of national concern, UB desires to understand how to best deploy its resources to enhance student recruitment and retention. As part of this project, we are evaluating creative ways to leverage private philanthropy to expand our scholarship pool.
To better position our students for the ever competitive job market, UB is exploring the concept of notating student transcripts with definable achievements beyond the award of their undergraduate degree. By participating in a program of activities, classes, opportunities, etc. that are available over the four years of the UB undergraduate experience, students will be able to develop a portfolio toward a transcript notation in a specialty area that is separate but integrated with their major. It is envisioned that these specialty areas will be aligned to current undergraduate education efforts in global engagement, research exploration, and civic engagement.
Last updated: February 19, 2013 3:57 pm EST
