STUDENT AFFAIRS 17 ANNUAL REPORT Campus Health Clinic Closes On Dec. 11, 2023, the on-campus student health clinic was closed and relocated to the State Street Medical Square (105 S. State St.) Students continue to receive discounted services and are guaranteed same-day appointments. Students wishing to see a provider should call the State Street Clinic to schedule an appointment. Students should let the staff know if they need transportation or directions. Walk-in appointments are also accommodated, but to ensure an efficient and timely visit, students should schedule an appointment when possible. Students attending appointments are required to bring their driver’s license or identification card, health insurance card, and Pack Pass Mobile ID. Schedule an Appointment Regular Hours: • Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. • Call 605-225-0378 (select option 5) Extended Hours: • Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. • Friday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. • Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. PREVENTION SERVICES RETURNS With the hiring of Lauren Berg (see page 5), Prevention Services is back at Northern. Northern’s Prevention Services supports the health and well-being of the campus community by helping students to make low-risk decisions and drive change toward a safe and healthy campus community. Prevention Services delivers evidence-based inclusive programming, services, and initiatives that empower students to make positive choices. Evidence-based programming is used to raise awareness and change environmental factors that can contribute to highrisk decisions. The Insight Program offers a range of services designed to help students evaluate their risk regarding alcohol and substance abuse through an evidence-based approach. Prevention Services is accredited by the Department of Social Services and hosts the Northern Campus Community Coalition, serving the Aberdeen community. Student Affairs Leads the Way to an Institution-Wide 4-Year Graduation Goal Two key metrics for student success are retention and graduation rates. Conversations began in the spring semester of 2023 about setting a graduation goal after the Enrollment Management Council (EMC) set the retention rate goal through the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan. Then, on May 25, 2023, Governor Noem challenged the Board of Regents to improve South Dakota higher education in several areas including graduation rates. The Governor’s suggestion was 65% by 2028. Sean Blackburn, dean of students, recommended that Northern add an “ambitious, attainable, and appropriate” fouryear graduation goal to Theme 3 Retention of the SEM Plan. Working through various committees and counsels, that goal was achieved by October 2023. A graduation goal of 36% was endorsed by the Student Success Committee on Sept. 18, 2023. On Sept. 20, 2023, the Student Affairs Council and the Student Government Association Student Senate unanimously concurred. With updated data, the Advisory Group on Inclusion and Belonging endorsed a 38% goal on Oct. 10, 2023. The EMC followed up with an endorsement of 38% on Oct. 12, 2023. The Executive Leadership Team agreed with the recommendation on Oct. 16, 2023, making the 38% goal official. The SEM Plan was then updated. If Northern had a 38% graduation rate (at a minimum) over the past seven years, 80 additional students would have graduated and started their professional lives or post-baccalaureate pursuits. 38% would be a 3.6-point improvement from the average and higher than five of the last seven years. Northern’s accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission, requires institutions to have “defined goals for student retention, persistence, and completion that are ambitious, attainable, and appropriate to its mission, student populations, and educational offerings.” (See Criterion 4.C.1.) Identifying a four-year graduation goal for first-time, degreeseeking students was first advocated by the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2021-2025) in Key Result 22. Quick Takes, continued… Data on 4-year graduation rates: Seven-Year High: 39.1% (2016 Cohort) Seven-Year Average: 34.4% Seven Year Low: 29.0% (2014 Corhort)
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