In Fall, 2005, UWM launched Access to Success. Following almost two years of data analysis and discussions, the campus resolved to take determined action to improve the overall retention/graduation rate and, especially, reduce the gap in success rates between majority and minority students and the even larger gap between entering students requiring developmental courses and those who do not.

Access to Success incorporates recruitment and admission strategies to maintain access while also increasing enrollments of diverse, high-achieving students. Many of the campus-wide strategies adopted in Access to Success comprise a comprehensive and coordinated program to increase first year student success that includes a Summer Bridge Program, the Freshman Mentoring Network, First-Year Transition Courses, Academic Advising Assessment, Honors programming, redesigned Mathematics courses, a new Multicultural Student Center, Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, Teaching Teams, and the creation of a web-based Early Warning System. The goals of Access to Success are to increase first year retention for all freshmen and especially for freshmen of color and freshmen requiring developmental work while building the overall diversity and achievement of the student body.

While it is too early to assess the impact of Access to Success on its overall goals, the data do show that, for the entire freshman cohort as well as for targeted groups, those who participate in retention strategies demonstrate higher retention and achievement. Especially impressive interventions include Summer Bridge and Supplemental Instruction programs. In addition, students with low math preparation who took a pilot math course that employed technology with instructor/tutor support completed two sequential math courses with high grades in a single semester, enabling them access to curricula requiring college level mathematics.

Based on assessment of these pilot initiatives, we are expanding program capacity and student participation in these campus-wide strategies already adopted. The Provost would also like to support creative ideas within schools and colleges for enhancing first year success for all students and especially for students of color. To that end, the Provost invites proposals from the deans of the credit-granting schools/colleges for funds in 2006-07 to seed projects that will enhance students’ first year experiences. The Provost especially encourages proposals for redesign and/or enhancement of first year courses that have substantial impact on academic progress of freshmen.

The Provost will offer a minimum of $300,000 in total one-time funding for Access to Success School/College Initiatives in 2006-07. Proposals will include a description of the initiative, a thorough assessment plan that will rigorously evaluate the impact of the initiative on student success, a budget narrative that includes funding sources beyond the seed funds for initiatives that will continue beyond 2006-07, and a detailed budget that includes appropriate fringe benefits for any additional staffing that is requested. There is no limit on the number of proposals submitted by a school or college; each must be endorsed by the dean for submission. The proposal deadline is May 15, 2006. Questions should be addressed to Associate Vice Chancellor Ruth Williams.