The Daily Bulletin Archive

MAP-Works, Buffalo State’s award-winning retention program, launched this past weekend and once again will help us stay connected to first-year students and help those who might be at risk for dropping out.

MAP-Works is an online assessment designed to provide feedback to help students establish realistic expectations and connect with campus resources. All first-year students received an e-mail invitation to take the survey. They will be asked about their transition to Buffalo State, including academic behaviors, financial means, and social connections made so far.

Survey results are reported back to each student in an easy-to-understand online report. Results are benchmarked against their first-year cohort to help them better understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Student survey results are also reported to faculty and staff members who serve as advisers, first-year course instructors, residence hall directors, and mentors. These faculty and staff members will receive results for their students only. They will have opportunities to intervene if students are reporting risky behaviors (e.g., poor study skills, poor support system, not adapting to college life). The idea is to allow us to spend more time helping rather than diagnosing.

MAP-Works is helping Buffalo State in our commitment to academic success, student retention, student development, and student engagement.

If you would like further information regarding MAP-Works, or if you would like to be connected in the system to a distinct group of first-year students, contact Eileen Merberg, retention and leadership specialist in Campus Life, ext. 3407. And please encourage first-year students to participate.