College Adjustment Program (CAP)
By: Christina Osborne
The College Adjustment Program (CAP), administered through the Academic Advancement Center, recently received 5-year funding from the Department of Education, an honor reserved for the top 10% of Student Support Services(SSS) programs in the country. CAP was the only existing SSS program in Ohio to receive 5-year funding.
The Department of Education determines funding primarily by "demonstrated need for the program," said Cynthia King, Director of the Academic Advancement Center. "In 2003, 31% of incoming freshmen were first generation college students, 25% displayed academic need, with ACT scores below 22, or a high school rank below the 60th percentile."
"Other criteria include measurable objectives, an effective plan of operation, a realistic budget, quality personnel, a well developed evaluation plan and evidence of institutional commitment to the project" said King.
CAP offers many services to its students including tutoring, peer support, developmental learning courses and advising. Of these, academic advising has been described as "the most valued service CAP provides" by students in their exit surveys. Project staff continually gather information from CAP students and use this information to improve services which in turn enhances project effectiveness.
An experimental workshop designed to improve students’ math skills, was developed into a 1-credit course this year. "Students completing the workshop improved placement test scores and most completed Tier I math during freshman year," said King. "By offering a 1 credit course, we hope to increase the number of freshman taking this option to improve math placement and also math success at OU."
CAP also provides unique opportunities for students. "They offered me an internship producing PR for CAP and the AAC," said Olga Khlypovka, a junior informational graphics major. "Without CAP’s support, I wouldn’t have my 3.6 GPA," she said. "My advisor worked with me to fulfill requirements and let me know what to expect of classes and professors."
CAP has been making a difference in student retention and graduation since 1979. With this new funding, the project looks forward to another five years of service excellence.
