Student Testimonial about the UK Student Alert System
Thanks to all the student support staff, faculty and instructional staff who participated last year in the UK Student Alert System. Since Provost Subbaswamy called for a “War on Attrition” in 2007, the University has pulled together to show our common interest in student success. The Student Alert Referral System offers a good way for for faculty and designated university personnel communicate in tandem to help students who give signs of being in trouble.
There are two basic types of alerts that a University employee can use to submit a Student Alert via their myUK portal: academic and behavioral. Academic alerts can be submitted when an instructor is concerned about too many missed classes or a student is habitually late to class. Poor performance in class can trigger an alert long before midterm grades and help turn around a student’s failing academic career. An academic advisor can really help a student who is thinking about stopping out of school if someone submits a “Planning to Leave UK” alert. Behavioral alerts include evidence of disruptive or threatening behavior or even an employee’s concern about a student’s health affecting their progress in school. These behavioral alerts are handled by the Community of Concern Team. See the definitions for all the alerts in a .pdf file you can download here.
During the 2012-2013 academic year, over 5,400 alerts were submitted in these proportions:
| Missed Classes | 33% |
| Poor/ missing homework | 20% |
| At risk of failing course | 19% |
| Poor test/ quiz | 14% |
| Behavioral | 10% |
| Other | 5% |
Remember, you can issue one alert (or multiple alerts from one class roll) by accessing Student Alerts through the myUK portal. Instructions for using the system are located on the UGE website at http://www.uky.edu/UGE/alert – look under the sections “Types of Alerts” and “Guides and Resources.” If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Susan Herrick, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, at slherr1@uky.edu
