The University of Akron will not renew a contract to provide “success coaches” to incoming freshmen.

Last fall the university paid $840,000 to TrustNavigator, a newly-established Cleveland company. 

Sixteen coaches, most recent UA graduates, were hired and each worked with as many as 275 students. They earned $28,000 to $32,000, plus benefits and were to follow the students through their academic career.

Critics questioned the need for coaches.