Focus on the finish line: 2010 students at research fair, new student convocation

FOCUS ON THE FINISH LINE: 2010 STUDENTS AT RESEARCH FAIR, NEW STUDENT CONVOCATION

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20090.670000000000002

0.680000000000002

0.690000000000002

0.700000000000002

0.710000000000002

0.720000000000002

0.730000000000002

0.740000000000002

0.750000000000002

0.760000000000002

73.7%74.1%

74.4%74.7%

74.0%

75.5%

74.9%

73.7%

72.1%

73.4%

71.5%

70.5%70.2%

73.3%

71.8%

74.4%

73.3%

OU’s 1st year retention rate below 75% for past 10 years

2009: 622 FTIACS (27%) DID NOT RETURN

2009: 125 OF 330 (38%) MINORITY FTIACS DID NOT RETURN

2004 COHORT: 1,030 GONE 770 GRADUATED 146 STILL ENROLLED

2004 MINORITY FTIACS: 272 GONE, 43 GRADUATED (13%)

OU’S 6-YEAR GRAD RATE AVERAGED 43-44% UNTIL 2003

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

10.1% 10.2% 10.6% 10.2% 12.1% 13.4% 12.7% 14.4% 14.4% 12.0% 12.5% 13.2% 15.3%

19.4% 21.0% 21.1% 23.1%22.8% 22.3%

20.4% 19.2% 19.4%19.8% 18.6% 17.9%

11.1% 10.1% 9.7%10.4%

11.8% 9.1% 11.2% 10.7% 9.9%8.9% 8.6%

FTIACs' Graduation Rate

6 Year5 Year4 Year

40.6% 41.3% 41.4%43.7%

46.7%44.8% 44.3% 44.3% 43.7%

40.7% 39.7%

31.1%

15.3%

THE GRADUATION RATE OF MINORITY (URM) STUDENTS IS

3% TO 30% LOWER

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 20040%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

42% 44% 43%46%

50%46% 48% 48% 46% 45% 45%

24% 23% 22%

29%27%

34% 34%

27% 28%

18%13%

OU 6-Year Graduation Rates by Race

White Minority

THE GRADUATION RATE OF OU’S TOP STUDENTS AVERAGES

64%, COMPARED TO 74-77% FOR ALL

MSU

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 20040%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

OU HSGPA>=3.6

MSU All

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE: COMPLETING COLLEGE AT

AMERICA’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIESStudy by W.Bowen, M.Chingos, and M. McPherson, published in 2009.

Focused attention on disparities in graduation rates by SES & race – but also by selectivity, finding that…

…for students with nearly identical background characteristics, attending a less selective university lessens the likelihood of graduation.

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE: COMPLETING COLLEGE AT

AMERICA’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Bowen et al conclude:

Students should attend the most selective school to which they can be admitted!

FOCUS LEADS TO IMPROVEMENT

Oakland U Kansas George Mason Montclair Long Beach Grand Valley0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

200320082009

SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NARROWED OR CLOSED THE URM GRADUATION GAP

Montclair State UniversityUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County

George Mason UniversityTowson University

University of California Long BeachUniversity of California Riverside

Grand Valley State UniversityMichigan Technological University

University of KansasGeorgia State University

UNIVERSITY-WIDE FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS

COLLABORATIVE AND COORDINATED Leadership for student success is everyone’s job.

Consistently reinforcehigh expectations for student performance

and provide support to meet academic challenges. •

Clearly define pathways to success. (clear curricular paths, course availability)

•Pay attention & use data to improve.

AN UNSHAKEABLE FOCUS ON STUDENT LEARNING

Challenging & engaging academics “...the most important thing a college

can do to help students graduate is often to ask more of them, not less.”

•Accessible & responsive faculty

•Focus on teaching excellence