lessons from the undergraduate petition process: crafting life contingency plans for adult learners...
TRANSCRIPT
Lessons from the Undergraduate Petition Process:Crafting Life Contingency Plans for Adult Learners
Adrianne Jones Academic Advisor/Academic Integrity and Student Affairs Assistant
Dr. Eric BlissCUGS Academic Coordinator & Core Faculty
Lianne (Lulu) WilliamsonPh.D., Program Director, B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies
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Life Happens
• Undergraduate students encounter a number of impediments in attempting to complete a degree.
• Institutional support around issues of medical, psychiatric, and life events are essential supports.
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Life Issues Enter Classrooms
• Adult students are not always aware of the services and supports that Walden offers to help them in crisis.
• Medical events and other traumas often result in lack of participation, missed assignments, and sometimes even attrition.
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Life Issues Enter Classrooms
• Faculty are not always aware of the chronic physical or mental illnesses of students.
• Advising frequently receives outreach only after the student’s life events have spiraled out of control.
• Retroactive Ws are awarded through the petition process and reviewed by committee.
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Petition Rationales
• Tuition waivers for faculty performance and course errors.
• Grade reviews (overall grade, not an individual assignments).
• Third term of academic probation. • Reinstatement into original catalog
past one year.• Degree completion time extensions.
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Petition Rationales
• Advising frequently receives outreach only after the student’s life events have spiraled out of control.
• Retroactive Ws are awarded through the petition process and reviewed by committee.
• Retroactive W requests for student issues (medical, personal, etc).
• Retroactive NC requests for university errors (incorrect registration, faculty performance, etc. )
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Scenarios: What Would You Do?
• Review the student scenario.
• While you are reading, please consider how you would vote if you were on the petitions committee.
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Scenario AI am in the Army, and I am active duty. Due to a computermalfunction at home, I was forced to come into work at 5:00 am to attempt to get my school work done, and when thiswas discovered, I was reprimanded for doing homework atwork.
In addition, due to additional work related training, a 14 dayspan of time in the middle of term), I failed 2 courses. I senta withdrawal request earlier this month, but did not get aresponse. I do not know what else to do. I can't afford to payback the Financial Aid.
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Poll
• Based on what we discussed, would the student qualify for a retroactive W?
• In the Q & A box, please provide a one sentence rationale for your decision.
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Scenario B
I am petitioning my final letter grade of F. I have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. These conditions require me to take medications that interrupt my sleep. Exhaustion was a factor. I contacted my faculty member at the end of week 1, and I explained that I was very fragile in my health, and she encouraged me to continue.
It is difficult for me to stay awake, but I am working with my doctor to wean me off some of the stronger pain medications during the day. I promise to consult with a pain clinic to see if there is a chance of better pain management. I want another chance.
Poll
• Based on what we discussed, would the student qualify for a retroactive W?
• In the Q & A box, please provide a one sentence rationale for your decision.
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Petitions Involve Emotional Labor
• Petitions often include narratives of personal tragedies and medical events that can cause advisors and petition committee members emotional reactions.
• We want to see petitions through in a timely fashion for optimal student satisfaction, but often the necessary evidence isn’t there to support the student, and valid (but undocumented) petitions are denied.
• Together, we can create a more holistic approach to ease the process for advisors and committee members.
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Petitions Must be Documented
• Students deserve a real shot at petition approval, and when faculty works closely with advising, petitions can be avoided.
• Collaboration between advising and college administration leads to positive results for students.
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Petitions Must be Documented
• Advising should have a designated gate-keeper who prevents undocumented petitions from being posted to SharePoint to ensure better results for students.
• We need to be aware of the types of supports available to Walden students, and we need to empower students to take ownership of their academic lives.
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Next Steps
• In the same way that students craft “Technology Contingency Plans”, they should be encouraged to complete a “Life Contingency Plan” (LCP).
• LCPs should include In Case of Emergency Contact and FERPA designee.
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ENROLL STUDENTS IN…
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LCP: LAUREATE’S LIFE CONTINGENCY PLAN
LCP provides students with: • help with their responsibility in a crisis• next steps• organizational skills • a back up plan • resources and tools• …and something other than EXIT• No need to recreate the wheel…
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LCP TOOL KIT• Academic Calendar • Walden Student Handbook• FERPA/I.C.E. Form• Leave of Absence (LOA) Form• Withdrawal Form• S.A.P. (Student Assistance Plan)• Disability Services• Veteran’s Affairs• Petition
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FERPA Form• Reintroduce as the new I.C.E. Form ( in Case of
Emergency Form)• Who will contact Walden when you are unable
to do so?
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Leave of Absence
• Leave of absence is a break, a respite or hiatus.
• UG Student’s have 180 days or 2 quarters at their discretion (30 day increments)
• Student can use LOA and plan to use the time as part of their long range academic planning.
• Students should also be directed to use the weeks between quarters to re-charge.
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Next Steps
• If the student enters Walden with a chronic condition, they need to work with disabilities services upon arrival.
• Clearly articulated Withdrawal and Drop dates should be communicated each term start.
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SAP (Student Assistance Program)• Our Student Assistance Program provides free, confidential
support; resources; and information that can help students and everyone in their household address many issues, including:
• Stress, anxiety, or depression• Family and personal conflict• Major life changes• Grief and loss• Financial and legal concerns
• Free, Confidential Counseling Available 24/7Call our 24-hour hotline at 1-866-465-8942 (TDD: 1-800-697-0353) to receive confidential counseling from experienced clinicians. Refer to Walden ID code SAP4EDU when accessing this free service.
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Academic Calendar
• Students have access to the academic calendar on their Walden portal
• Drop/Add dates need to be more prominent, but announcing as part of the classroom management is a not a bad idea.
• Withdrawal dates are critical for academics and financial aid.
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Withdrawal Form
• Students can withdraw from a course within the first week of courses without penalty each term
• Student’s can withdraw from the university
• However any changes to enrollment can impact financial aid
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Closing Comments or questions
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Presenter Contact Information
Adrianne Jones, Academic Advisor/Academic Integrity and Student Affairs [email protected]
Dr. Eric Bliss, CUGS Academic Coordinator and Core [email protected]
M. Laurel Walsh, CUGS Academic Coordinator and Core [email protected]
Lianne (Lulu) Williamson, Ph.D.Program Director, B.S. Interdisciplinary [email protected]