Most advisors know about the new probation policy that will go into effect for fall semester 2015, but most students probably do not. Sandy Monroe and a small group of advisors recently met with Lesa Beals and Frank Blalark of the Registrar’s office to discuss strategies for communicating the new policy to students. They were amenable to our suggestions and are working on crafting the actual messages that will go out over the next year. For now, here is the general plan:

1. The Registrar’s office will send an email to all students at the end of this semester informing them of the new policy, and the fact that it affects all students rather than just those starting in fall 2015. Those of us who were at this meeting suggested that the email should direct students to their advisors if they have specific questions about their own situations.
2. Students on probation at the end of spring 2015 will get the usual email informing them of their probationary status, but the email will include specifics about the new standards students will be held to as of the fall semester. Students will receive a similar email at the start of the fall semester, both as a reminder and to catch re-entry students who weren’t active as of spring 2015.
3. The Registrar’s office will work on posters referencing the new policy for advising offices to display during spring advising sessions for fall 2015 registration. If you have any suggestions for catchy slogans (we thought “2.0 is good to go” maybe set expectations a little too low”) then be sure to pass them along!
4. The Registrar’s office will also attempt to spread the word about the new policy through their social media channels, the Exponent, and possibly through a partnership with Purdue Student Government.
5. Sandy Monroe and the Community of Practice on Probation will send out talking points and other communication suggestions to the whole advising community later this semester.

–Sheila Hurt