What is the Academic Alert Initiative?
The Academic Alert Initiative is a partnership between instructors, Academic Deans and advisors, and the Undergraduate Student Success Center to provide undergraduate students with early course progress feedback and resource connection to support course persistence and overall academic success.
The Process
There are three components of the UMass Amherst Academic Alert Initiative—the Alert, the Outreach, and the Support.
1. The Alert. Instructors submit Academic Alerts for undergraduate students in their courses through Navigate360, UMass Amherst’s student success management system. Instructors are asked to submit Academic Alerts for students who may be struggling academically in their courses (e.g., absences, low assignment or test grades, missing assignments, or lack of participation). Instructors of courses identified for participation in the Academic Alert Initiative will receive periodic requests via email to submit Academic Alerts for undergraduate students enrolled in their courses. In addition to these emailed requests, all instructors can submit ad-hoc Academic Alerts for their undergraduate students at any point during the semester.
2. The Outreach. Students identified by instructors as experiencing academic difficulty receive an email that contains information about the Academic Alert, course, and instructor, as well as campus academic resources, how to access them, and encouragement to do so. The goal of this communication is to let students know we are concerned about their progress in the course and to provide suggestions for next steps. The Undergraduate Student Success Center also shares Academic Alert information with advising leadership in each of the schools/colleges. These teams use this information to send additional outreach to their students. Academic advisors can also view their students’ Academic Alerts. They use this information to guide their support approach and conversations with students.
3. The Support. The email a student with an Academic Alert receives encourages them to take action by connecting with one or more of the resources provided. Support could look like the student connecting with the Learning Resource Center for tutoring or Supplemental Instruction for the course. It could also look like the student scheduling an appointment with their Academic Dean or advisor to discuss their course progress and academic plan. Before an appointment with the student , the Academic Dean or advisor review the information provided in the Academic Alert to guide their support approach and conversation.
Talking to Your Students About the Academic Alert Initiative
Instructors are encouraged to consider including information about the Academic Alert Initiative in their course syllabi as well as spend a few minutes in class talking about the initiative. Letting students know you participate in the Academic Alert Initiative to support their success can help promote resource utilization should they receive an Academic Alert from you during the semester.
- PowerPoint slide to share with your class.
- Syllabus language:
Your success in this course is important. UMass Amherst uses Navigate360, a student success management system, to help identify students who may need additional support to achieve academic success. Throughout the semester you may receive emails from Navigate360 regarding your course grades and academic performance. Please check your UMass email account regularly and, if you receive an Academic Alert, read the email carefully and connect with one or more of the campus resources provided. Academic Alerts are meant to help you achieve success in the course; they are not meant to be punitive. UMass has many ways to support students and Navigate360 is a tool that helps us connect you with the services, resources, and people you need.
Directions for Instructors Submitting Academic Alerts
For Instructors Receiving Emailed Requests
Instructions for Responding to Emailed Requests
For All Instructors
Instructions for Submitting Ad-Hoc Alerts in Navigate360
If your undergraduate course is not designated to participate in the Academic Alert Initiative, or emailed requests have concluded for the semester, follow these instructions to submit an ad-hoc Academic Alert at any time on or before the last day of classes.
Please email @email with any questions or support needs.
Resources for School/College Advising Partners
Connect with the Undergraduate Student Success Center to learn more about the resources available.
Email: [email protected]