The Department of Multicultural Programs and Services will look for new directors in an effort to bring multicultural student retention and success up to the same figure as the rest of the university.

Josephine T. Gin, director of Asian Pacific American Student Association, and Alex M. Wright, director of African American Student Affairs, confirmed that their contracts would not be renewed for the 2005-2006 academic year ending June 30.

In an e-mail sent April 12 to the Asian Pacific American Cultural Resource Center mailing list, Gin said, "I wanted to let you know that my contract for 2005-2006 has not been renewed, so as of June 30, I will no longer be the director of APASA."

Wright had no comment on the issue, but did confirm that his contract has not been renewed.

Lynette Cook-Francis, assistant vice president for multicultural affairs and student success, would not confirm the non-renewal of contracts, but did say they would be looking for new directors who "have experience in success and demonstrate a high rate of success in the programs they have worked in."

Students are more likely to graduate if they come back after their first year.– Lynette Coo -Francis assistant vice president for multicultural affairs and student success

Student retention is a top priority for DMPS, Cook-Francis said, and they strive to achieve the same retention rate as the rest of the UA.

"Our goals are to participate along with the rest of the university with retention and success for students of color," Cook-Francis said.

These goals are also important to the entire university, Cook-Francis said, and DMPS would like to see equal figures for each specific group.

"The first-year retention goal for the university is 85 percent, and we want the same for each group," Cook-Francis said. "All students should be at 85 percent."

Currently the average first-year retention rate for all students in DMPS is 76.6 percent Cook-Francis said.

When an employee's contract is not renewed it is important to understand that they are not being fired, but rather their function is not needed in current form, said Paul Allvin, UA spokesman.

While the retention rate is the highest it has ever been at just under 80 percent, Cook-Francis said DMPS is still looking for new directors who will be "implementing several aggressive strategies" to keep the numbers high.

The ultimate strategy to reach out to incoming students is to connect them with resources, develop and implement programs, track progress and assess results, Cook-Francis said.

Cook-Francis said some programs in planning include an "early alert system for faculty to alert advisers of a student's progress with in the first six weeks, and programs that help students get connected and teach skills to be successful."

When hiring directors, a focus on first-year student retention is essential, Cook-Francis said, because "freshman year is critical."

"Students are more likely to graduate if they come back after their first year," Cook-Francis said. "The numbers are even higher after the second year."