Dear colleagues,

As a part of our institution-wide retention strategy, UM has replaced Starfish with EAB Navigate as our Early Alert system. Though the platform has changed, the principle is the same - Early Alert systems help instructors identify students who are struggling early on and throughout the semester. When combined with appropriate targeted interventions, Early Alert systems ensure that students get help sooner, so they generally perform better in their courses. This helps them progress toward degree completion. 

In order for this approach to be successful, I need your engagement and support. Specifically, I am asking all faculty teaching developmental courses and courses at the 100 and 200 levels to participate in the Early Alert reporting process. Instructors of upper-division courses are encouraged to participate as well. 

To participate, please follow the directions in the emails you will receive from the Office for Student Success in weeks 2, 5, 8, and 12 of this semester. These emails will prompt you to complete Progress Reports for the undergraduate course sections you are teaching and identify any students who are struggling.  You may use the “ad hoc reporting” function to give students feedback – including positive feedback – at any time throughout the semester.

More information and resources on Navigate (see the “instructors” and “early alert” tabs).  If you have questions, please contact the Office for Student Success at OfficeforStudentSuccess@umontana.edu or 243-2800. 

I appreciate your participation in our campus Early Alert efforts. Your engagement is critical to achieving UM's goals for student success and increased enrollment.

Reed Humphrey,

Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs