TCU at work
UCR facelift may aid retention rate

The hierarchy of TCU administration have mentioned that revamping the University Core Curriculum will help to retain freshmen.

Only 82 percent of TCU’s freshmen from fall 1999 to fall 2000 returned to the university for their sophomore year. When the TCU number is compared to that of Vanderbilt — 93.62 percent — it is obvious that something had to be done.

While the UCR changes are still in the working stages, TCU has gotten something done.

In an age where college students demand personal attention, TCU has extended its arms through the faculty to embrace the students as individuals.

Also, the Leadership Center has devised ways to get freshmen involved in the university.

“Providing students the opportunity to get involved and allowing significant faculty interaction in the freshmen programs helps students to feel that they are a part of the university,” said Penny Woodcock, TCU Leadership Center coordinator.

One of the most important things on many aspiring college students’ priority lists is tradition. Frog Camp, the activities fair and Howdy Week all show freshmen a unique way to connect with TCU’s past.

According to Institutional Research, the freshmen retention rate for those who enrolled in fall 2000 was 96 percent. The university’s actions have paid off.

Freshmen in the future can chalk up another tally for a reason to return to TCU. Along with faculty offering individual attention, opportunities for leadership positions and tradition-building activities, TCU has done a good job of juggling.

While administration continue to work on the UCRs, rest assured they have improved retention rates.

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