Freshmen who are notified that they are failing their classes are usually slow to do much about it, University reports show.
The University informed nearly 3,000 students last semester that their class performances were suffering mid-semester, but most freshmen failed to react.
Katherine Alford, spokeswoman for the provost office, said the goal of alerting the students was to improve the academic experience for freshmen and all students.
The Early Warning System was established in fall 2003 so students would have more time to get help from professors, advisers and other campus resources before the end of the semester. Students do not have to have a specific grade to get a notice, but will receive one if the professor feels that their grade is in trouble.
Instructors have reported that freshmen are the least likely to react after receiving a notice.
"It seems as though, overwhelmingly, upperclassmen will react to it," Alford said. "They make some kind of effort, where overwhelmingly the freshmen haven't been as proactive."
Undeclared freshman Valerie Pepein said she cracks down and works harder if she is concerned about her grades.
"I can see why freshmen don't, though, because students think freshman year's not that important," she said.
Professors are strongly encouraged, but not mandated, to participate in the system. Last year there was a 41 percent increase in professors participating.
"I think most faculty want to do what they can to help students," said Vice Provost Ruth Jones. "I think the faculty understand that the earlier you can give students warning that they're in trouble, the better off they are. It's up to the student to be responsible and take the right steps."
Other universities are also trying an early warning system. The University of Minnesota Twin Falls served as a model to ASU's system.
Faculty can select students to be notified from Monday to Feb. 20.
Students will be notified Feb. 21 to 23.
The warning system is done electronically. Students are notified via e-mail and U.S. mail.
Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu.
