Academic Vice-Rectors analyze equity strategies related to access, retention and academic success of their students

10/11/2014
Share

The academic authorities agreed to establish three working groups – innovation in admissions, student support strategies and analysis of student trajectories – which will systematize the analyses and contributions of the CRUCH universities in these areas.

With the participation of the twenty-five universities of CRUCH on November 6 at the University of Talca (Santiago campus) a broad debate was opened on the equity challenges that are being addressed in the various institutions.

The academic dialogue was organized around two conferences. The first, presented by Angélica Bosch from the CRUCH admissions team, focused on the profile of students entering universities, followed by a sociological analysis of university students by Víctor Orellana from the CIAE at the University of Chile. The second conference addressed equity criteria in admissions, presented by Rosa Devés from the University of Chile, and equity criteria in academic trajectories, presented by Lorena López from the University of Santiago.

These conferences were complemented by panels that presented the experiences of various universities in areas such as admissions, student characteristics, and support strategies throughout the student's academic and social journey. The institutions that presented their experiences were: the University of Concepción (Jacqueline Sepúlveda), the University of Valparaíso (José Miguel Salazar), the University of Tarapacá (Carlos Leiva), the University of La Frontera (Ana Moraga), the University of Talca (Marcela Vásquez), the University of Bío Bío (Flavio Valassini), the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Juan Echeverría), the Catholic University of Temuco (Fernando Peña), and the University of Santiago (Patricia Pallavicini).

Of the main conclusions it is possible to highlight:

  • The need and feasibility of strengthening the CRUCH admission system by including greater flexibility in selection criteria, for example “equity quotas” or other factors.
  • The characteristics of the CRUCH university system as a whole bring together students from diverse and heterogeneous social backgrounds, while simultaneously concentrating the highest-achieving students. From a sociological perspective, this fact reflects a significant attribute of the CRUCH universities.
  • The experience of the University of Chile in admission and equity demonstrates an understanding of the principle of equity as something constitutive of quality.
  • The equity analysis in the learning path considers it necessary to take into account the diverse learning strategies and methods of the students.

Student support experiences are diverse and encompass both academic and psychosocial aspects. Strategies in this area directly impact student retention and graduation rates. Institutional coordination requires both a well-defined strategy and a strong commitment from university policy.

At the end of this day, the group of vice-rectors agreed to establish three working groups – innovation in admissions, student support strategies, and analysis of student trajectories – which will systematize the analyses and contributions of the CRUCH universities and present the results in various formats in the near future.

As an assessment of this day, the opportunity to share diverse academic management experiences was valued, reflecting a vision as a CRUCH university and a broad horizon of innovation to advance equity and inclusion.