Abstract
Responding to declining enrollments and budget pressures, this article frames student retention as a central concern for college and university administrators. It distinguishes undesirable attrition from appropriate student departure and argues that institutions should focus on students who might persist with better advising, support, and institutional contact. The discussion reviews shifts in retention research from predicting dropouts through admissions data toward improving student and institution interaction. It identifies challenges in tracking potential dropouts, including inadequate information systems, incomplete exit interviews, and limited records on students who leave. The article proposes mapping key interaction points, training faculty and staff in communication skills, collecting data throughout the student experience, and implementing campus wide intervention strategies.
Recommended Citation
Hlggerson, Mary Lou and Buckley, David
(1983)
"Student Retention: A Top Priority for the 80's,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 45, Article 17.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol45/iss1/17
