2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
BGeX is useful, but freshman need more to keep them here
By: Brian Kutzley
Issue date: 8/21/07 Section: Forum
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Bowling Green has a rather infuriating problem.
Apparently a large number of our incoming students never make it to graduation. When I was first recruited by a political science professor to be a peer facilitator at the end of my sophomore year, she explained to me the purpose of the BGeX program is presumably to encourage freshman interaction by giving them a small class and a role model. They then can take that to their fellow students so well that they will keep their grades up and never even consider transferring away.
While I applaud the intent of this program - it has been recognized in various publications as an innovative outreach - I feel like we are essentially blaming the waiter because we ordered the wrong dish. Let me explain.
It is possible that the University's retention rate is poor because the faculty and administration have somehow failed incoming students. However, I am more inclined to believe that the bulk of the responsibility falls on, surprisingly, the incoming students.
BGeX has attempted to create a shortcut by giving students an early group of friends with, ideally, the same interests. Unfortunately, however, unless BGeX becomes outright invasive and requires outside get-togethers on regular occasions, it is up to the students whether they will ever make anything of this network. So while it might be too early to tell, I have a suspicion that very few of these future graduating seniors will accredit their success to BGeX.
That said, please note that I am not trying to tear down the program itself. I think it is a great idea with a lot of benefits, but I also think it cannot function alone. Potentially, it has a great deal of help.
There are literally hundreds of student groups on campus. They range from intramural sports to common interests, politics, special interests, religious pursuit and quite a few I have undoubtedly forgotten.
Every year at Campus Fest these groups give their sales pitch to anyone who will listen, and hope desperately that someone new will show up at the next meeting, event or outing.
Apparently a large number of our incoming students never make it to graduation. When I was first recruited by a political science professor to be a peer facilitator at the end of my sophomore year, she explained to me the purpose of the BGeX program is presumably to encourage freshman interaction by giving them a small class and a role model. They then can take that to their fellow students so well that they will keep their grades up and never even consider transferring away.
While I applaud the intent of this program - it has been recognized in various publications as an innovative outreach - I feel like we are essentially blaming the waiter because we ordered the wrong dish. Let me explain.
It is possible that the University's retention rate is poor because the faculty and administration have somehow failed incoming students. However, I am more inclined to believe that the bulk of the responsibility falls on, surprisingly, the incoming students.
BGeX has attempted to create a shortcut by giving students an early group of friends with, ideally, the same interests. Unfortunately, however, unless BGeX becomes outright invasive and requires outside get-togethers on regular occasions, it is up to the students whether they will ever make anything of this network. So while it might be too early to tell, I have a suspicion that very few of these future graduating seniors will accredit their success to BGeX.
That said, please note that I am not trying to tear down the program itself. I think it is a great idea with a lot of benefits, but I also think it cannot function alone. Potentially, it has a great deal of help.
There are literally hundreds of student groups on campus. They range from intramural sports to common interests, politics, special interests, religious pursuit and quite a few I have undoubtedly forgotten.
Every year at Campus Fest these groups give their sales pitch to anyone who will listen, and hope desperately that someone new will show up at the next meeting, event or outing.
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