High turnover and few returning senators mean ASUP newcomers
By Ame Phitwong Senior News Reporter
UP experienced a 7.4 percent increase in the graduation rate for last year's class of 2007.
The number reflects degrees earned in four years by students who spent all four years at UP. The number does not take into account transfer students or dropouts. For students who began at UP in 2002, the graduation rate was 60 percent in four years, and for 2001, the rate was 59.1 percent.
John Goldrick, vice president of enrollment management and student life, said in an e-mail he was pleased about the increase.
"I think a 67.4 percent is a very good four-year graduation rate. When compared to the 50 to 55 percent graduation rate at many public universities, the graduation at UP is excellent," he said. "The increase shows that our students are serious about their education and about graduating within a reasonable amount of time."
Karen Nelson, director of institutional research at UP said that the data reflects a positive trend.
"The student profile is getting better every year," she said.
Nelson attributed several factors to the increase. She thinks the efforts the University makes to help students during their time at UP makes students want to stay.
UP President, the Rev. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., said one of those factors is a separate freshman resource center that aids students in navigating through their crucial first year. He also said that "the academic credentials of our students are becoming more and more sound." He cited increased financial aid and the high percentage of students that live on campus as another factor for the increase.
Although the incoming freshman class keeps getting larger, Nelson explained that doesn't necessarily mean increased graduation rates.
"Unless the larger number affects the quality of their experience here, we shouldn't see a dramatic change. Basically, as long as our institution can support them, it shouldn't affect the graduation rates," she said.
By 2007, 70.2 percent of both the 2002 and 2001 cohorts had graduated.
"There can be a variety of reasons a student takes four years; the problem is, the longer you take, the more expensive it becomes," Beauchamp said. "We love to have our students here as long as they want to be here, but there comes a time when they need to graduate."
For some students, studying abroad can derail plans to graduate on time. Senior Beth Farrell, a nursing major, plans to graduate in spring 2008. Farrell spent the second half of her sophomore year in Australia.
"I took some classes early," she said. "You have to." During her time in Australia, she took a couple nursing classes, general requirements and an elective.
"I didn't worry about graduating on time because I planned it all out before I went. But, being a nursing major, I knew exactly what I would be taking for the rest of college upon my return."
Nelson expects the numbers to grow. "As we learn why (students) stay and leave, we can respond more directly.
