While many colleges have suffered declines in graduation rates, some have increased rates significantly. Temple was one of the four fastest gainers among public research institutions. Temple has increased its advising staff by about 50 percent over the past five years, and is basing many retention efforts on conversations advisers have with students. "Academic advising essentially provided the conduit for students telling us, 'These are the things that are stopping us from getting through,'" says Peter R. Jones, senior vice provost for undergraduate studies. Temple also made changes to course scheduling that decreased conflicts and helped students take the classes they needed.