memoradum to CCNY

MEMORADUM

To: CCNY BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT FACULTY

From: Frank Darko, Student

Subject: Improving the Graduation Rate in CCNY.

Graduation is dream of every student. This goal of this memorandum is to help both faculty and student in CCNY improve the graduation rate in the school.

According to the CCNY official website the graduation rate is 42.8%. As matter of fact this number has not improved in the past five years. One can argue that the number have decrease as the years go by. Although 42.8% graduate rate is not really that bad when compared to other cuny colleges, the reality still stands; about more 50% of students are not graduation from school. There are many factors that could contribute to the low graduation rate in CCNY. From my personal observation, experience and interaction with fellow student I have realize that there are three major factor contribution to this problem. Firstly, there is Inadequate tutoring program in the school. Most student do not have enough time to study on their own. In as much as the student's responsibility is keep up with the work, the school should also take responsibility of assisting these students. For example, Organic Chemistry 1, has no tutoring session and student have to force the faculty in organizing one. Also, access to the library is limited. CCNY has two major libraries which are well stocked with books. Although the books could be updated but that is not the problem. The library is accessible to students from the. at 8am to 11pm. The time is changed when final or midterm exams are approaching. Why should this be so. Finally, student have very little counseling section when it comes to the pathway to graduation. Students spend much time with class work and might not have the time to go see advisors. Most student go to the advising department at the beginning or that at the end of the semester usually during the advisement week. This keeps the knowledge of graduating very low.

To help alleviate these issues, the best solution is getting more students involved with the faculty. Employing more student will solve two of the issue we have CCNY. This means more tutoring sessions can be organized. Students that proven to understand the subject should be allowed t o tutor other student. Also employing more student will increase the time the libraries are open. Student s can stay overnight and as such the library can also stay open 24 hours a day. Also, it should be a requirement for student to meet their advisor at least three times in a semester. This will allow the advisor to know the level the student is, the improvement needed and the challenges the student is facing. Advisors will be able to advice students on whether to drop some classes of they he or she is overwhelmed rather that listening to other student's advice.

I believe that if these strategies are put in place CCNY will not only improve its graduation rate but will significant graduate student with higher academic performance. It is a responsibility of each one us to contribute WTO the wellbeing of our society even if it is very little as assisting in improving the school. Thank you for your usually cooperation. I will be looking up to your feedback. Anyone who want s to contact me can do so through my email frd9055@ citymail.cuny.edu.