The recently launched Roar in Four initiative at the University of Memphis is helping to increase the number of undergraduate students who reach graduation in four years by encouraging them and helping them to stay on track by completing 30 credit hours each academic year.
Roar in Four is more than just an initiative, it’s a commitment shared among the student body and the campus community including faculty, advisors, staff, academic departments and colleges.
“We want Roar in Four to feel like something students are participating in and accomplishing — not simply another University initiative,” said Dr. Eric Bailey, senior associate vice provost for Student Academic Success at the UofM.
Each year has a purposeful goal and mission. Year one builds on each student’s foundation, year two keeps the momentum going, year three accelerates the student’s progress, and year four encourages students to finish strong.
“We want students to enter with a clear academic plan, complete the appropriate number of credits each year, make consistent progress toward their degree and receive timely support when challenges arise,” Bailey said.
Seven pillars will guide the success of Roar in Four which include:
- Providing strong academic advising
- Predictable course availability
- Midterm grades and academic feedback
- Early academic intervention
- Faculty engagement
- Student ready syllabi and course structure
- Financial aid, scholarships and completion support
“One of the most important things about Roar in Four is that it is not intended to suggest that every student’s journey must look exactly the same,” Bailey said. “Our students come to the University with different circumstances, responsibilities and academic pathways. Instead, Roar in Four is about removing unnecessary barriers and making sure students who want and are able to graduate in four years have a clear pathway to do so. It is also about changing the conversation from simply asking students, ‘Are you on track?’ to asking ourselves as an institution, ‘Are we doing everything we can to help students stay on track?’”
By completing 30 credit hours each academic year, students maintain the pace needed to reach graduation on time. Every additional semester a student stays in school beyond the four years, can mean additional tuition, fees, living expenses, and delayed entry into their professional career or graduate school.
The University plans to recognize and celebrate milestones with students along the way through digital certificates, special events, social media posts, and Roar in Four merchandise.
“Ultimately, we want to create a culture where staying on track is visible, celebrated and something students are proud of,” Bailey said.
Visit the Roar in Four webpage to learn more: https://www.memphis.edu/academicsuccess/roar_in_four/
