One department is working to keep retention rates up.

The criminal justice department has implemented a process to make freshmen students feel welcome and willing to stay.

It is also is helping students make friends in the department.

“If you make a friend, it makes an easier adjustment for you,” said Richard Spencer, assistant professor of criminal justice.

Spencer said this year marks a change in the way the department helps freshmen.

He said the department is working harder to work one-on-one with the students.

“We make them aware that we (the faculty) are available,” he said.

Spencer said the faculty members met students during the Fresh Start program and set them up with their schedules and in small groups to help them get to know others in the program.

During the semester, the department works with the students by e-mailing them and contacting them through a freshmen-oriented Blackboard page.

Then, during the eighth week, the department held a pizza lunch and discussed the upcoming semester.

“I think it’s an important week,” said J.J. Spurlin, assistant professor of criminal justice. “It’s a make-or-break thing.”

Spurlin said the students review their schedules and talk with the faculty members.

“We let them know we are human,” Spurlin said.

Spencer said the students are asked about financial aid issues, transferring credits and other items they may be having issues with.

“We want to resolve it sooner than later so it doesn’t become a huge problem,” he said.

The students said the attention is good for their studies.

“We know if teachers are there for us,” said Kayla Stewart, freshman criminal justice major.

Stewart met one of her friends through the Fresh Start program, and both said the faculty members helped them to make their first year go well so far.

“It’s good to know if someone is there for you so you don’t have to do it on your own,” said April Amey, freshman criminal justice major.

Ashley Montgomery, freshman criminal justice major, said she appreciated the work the faculty did to help her enroll.

“They let us know it’s more like a family than a school,” she said. “It’s more for our benefit than the school’s.”

Stewart, Amey and Montgomery said they plan to stay in the program.

“I really like what the criminal justice program has to offer,” Montgomery said.

The three said there is one thing, which brings the department closer together.

“They asked me how I’m doing,” Amey said. “They got to know me on a personal level. We can be on a personal level with our instructors because we can call them by their first names.”

Other students said the personal touch is good during the first few years of college.

“It’s a turning point in our lives to see if college is for everyone,” said OunJaniese Cason, freshman criminal justice major. “[The personal touch is] great because I’m from a small school and teacher-student communication is good.”

Mike Lang, senior criminal justice major, said he is glad the communication takes place.

“Good communication is always good,” he said. “They kept us informed about certain events on campus.”

Lang said the faculty makes it a point to have the students see them.

“I like how they all show up for an event,” he said. “It makes it easier for us to talk to them.”