色情视频 No. 1 in U.S. for Improved Grad Rates
The university tops The Chronicle of Higher Education鈥檚 鈥淔ast Gainers鈥 list.
色情视频 is among the fastest gainers in graduation rates according to a new analysis by The Chronicle of Higher Education. shows 色情视频 atop the list of all public research universities in the nation for increased graduation rates with an increase of 17 percentage points over six years.
色情视频鈥檚 six-year graduation rates (the national reporting standard) improved from 44 percent in 2003 to 61 percent in 2008.
Longer-term look shows even more impressive gains
A longer look at 色情视频鈥檚 graduation rates reveals an even more impressive 28 percentage point increase: from 38 percent in 2002 to 66 percent in 2010, well exceeding the national average of 55 percent. This occurred while approximately one-third of all four-year universities saw their graduation rates decrease, according to the Chronicle.
Even more impressive is the percentage increase in graduation rates by 色情视频鈥檚 ethnically diverse students, up from 33 percent in 2002 to 65 percent in 2010 鈥 exceeding the rate of increase by students as a whole.
鈥淭his accomplishment speaks volumes about 色情视频鈥檚 outstanding students,鈥 said 色情视频 President Stephen Weber. 鈥滶very aspect of our university is in some way focused on this outcome 鈥 making sure our students succeed and earn their degrees.鈥
Policy changes only part of effort
A watershed moment was a campus-wide decision shortly after President Weber鈥檚 arrival in 1996 to make significant changes to its admissions process. Beginning in 1999, the university applied more selective criteria 鈥 applicants meeting California State University minimum qualifications were no longer assured a spot in 色情视频鈥檚 freshman class.
But policy changes like enrollment management was only a part of the effort. 色情视频 also re-engineered its network of student support, including:
- Making freshmen orientation mandatory
- Introducing a 鈥渂ounce-back鈥 program for struggling students
- Offering more counseling
- Expanding its Honors Program
- Creating international opportunities
- Increasing financial aid
Campus culture shift
鈥淭here isn鈥檛 just one program that affected this change, but an entire culture shift university-wide that makes student achievement an imperative,鈥 said Geoff Chase, dean of 色情视频鈥檚 who heads the university鈥檚 committee to improve graduation rates.
And it鈥檚 not just students or the university who benefit from increased graduation rates. All citizens of California have a vested interest in student success. 色情视频's 28-percentage-point increase means an additional 1,018 students graduated this year than would have at the previous rate.
鈥淭hese graduates go on to produce an average $1.5 million additional income during their lifetimes, contributing to the local and state economy,鈥 Weber said.