Submitted by Lory-Ann Varela, Assistant Vice Provost Academic Support & Enrichment
Our campus has implemented an early course alert system to help support students’ academic success in their classes. Faculty will receive a request to submit notices for students who are not participating, have not attended class or submitted assignments, or are not performing well with grades. When faculty submit these alerts, it is triaged to student success staff who can then reach out to students and share additional campus resources they might need. We encourage faculty to continue positive teaching approaches of reaching out to students when they are concerned about their academic performance while also submitting the course alerts.
This early alert system informs our campus web of support to make sure our staff prioritize outreach when we see students that may have multiple course alerts and other simultaneous referrals. For example, students may be referred to speak to an Academic Advisor, encouraged to meet with an Academic Coach to talk about study skills, or have staff from the Student Support and Case Management reach out to them. Additional resources could include helping students make an appointment with Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), visit the Office of Financial Aid, or get connected with the Student Emergency Fund. These referrals are possible because of our faculty engaging with the Course Alert system.
Additionally, an important aspect of the academic performance process for students is receiving relevant and timely feedback that helps them alter their study skill practices. When students have assessment opportunities in the first month of the term, it allows students to revise their study approaches, reach out to advisors, attend tutoring, and reach out to professors. With the early alert process, students receive feedback and are empowered to make changes well before the course drop date.
Thus, when faculty participate in the early course alert system, they are making sure students have a chance to evaluate their study skills while also connecting this information with a campus-wide support system. We hope you will continue to provide early assessments and direct feedback to students in your courses. Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Education if you have questions about the early alert process or resources.