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The situation today is that there is a lot of focus in our country on the undergraduate student programs but there is definitely no concrete plan towards implementing and guiding these programs. Gaps and redundancies are a sure shot result of a lack of proper plan. Stagnation of retention is another result of programs that run without a specific plan.

Search for programs and plans have only intensified over the years and today there are a host of consultants and organizations developing various solutions and programs to address the issue of retention.

It is a hugely challenging preposition implementing a plan and bringing it to a successful fruition. There are a few significant variables that play a role in the plan execution that include impact of budget modifications and cuts and senior leadership changes that lead to destabilization.

Successes must also be analyzed for learning a few important lessons and moving forward with them. Plans are being implemented by most of the campuses. Campuses that showed a greater degree of dedication in implementing the plan also found an increase in first to second year retention rates.

In institutions that did not take a sincere effort in implementing this plan found that their retention rates decreased by 1.4 percent. They had to face attrition by not implementing the plan in the right manner. This logically shows that it is not enough to just make the plan. It is important to ensure that institutions follow up with the plan in a proper manner and implement it appropriately to enjoy positive results.

The plan executed successfully included institutional policy changes. There are also programs that are created to especially address the unique requirements of the students and of the institution as a whole. Programs are also designed to focus on first year course pedagogy.
Certain programs help institutions connect with their core curriculum presently evolving with offerings from their learning community. This is done with a view to ensuring optimum success for both.

Certain orientation programs are specifically designed to address and serve transfer students and low income students who are either completely not served or are under served. In order to connect pieces that are hitherto disparate, some programs help create committees and oversight offices. This ensures that no opportunity for learning is left to chance.

Overall, the scenario shows that programs are absolutely necessary to move forward with awareness. However, if they are not implemented in a proper manner, which means unless they are carried out after conception as a part of the whole, you cannot expect any benefits or results.

Right in the first year, it is imperative for institutions to focus on excellence through a thorough process of planning. This is the only way to ensure organic emergence of best practices and appropriate programs. This also the only way by which these programs and practices can be assessed, executed, modified or refined. All institutions must necessarily focus on developing a comprehensive vision that aims at excellence rather than leaving everything to chance.