Patent ID: 8472862

Claim:
A method for improving student retention rates in an academic institution through utilization of a networked computer system, comprising the steps of: analyzing data within the networked computer system input by one or more computerized academic management systems to the networked computer system and raising a first flag within the networked computer system whenever one or more students from a plurality of students are identified by data analysis as falling within a first set of at-risk rules; allowing one or more providers among a plurality of providers to raise a second flag within the networked computer system whenever the one or more students are identified by the one or more providers as falling within a second set of at-risk rules; and compelling a meeting through the networked computer system between the one or more students and the one or more providers to address one or more issues associated with the first flag and/or the second flag, wherein the one or more providers post a set of office hour blocks within the networked computer system and the one or more students schedule an appointment for a meeting with the one or more providers by selecting a meeting time from the set of office hour blocks, wherein the one or more students and the one or more providers are forced to address the one or more issues so as to improve a likelihood of the one or more students remaining at the academic institution.