Theorizes about interrelations between "rites of passage" in Tinto's (1993) Student Integration Model, and support from significant others in Nora and Cabrera's (1996) Student Adjustment Model. Depicts how both sets of factors impact social and academic experiences and integration, commitment levels to attainment of an educational goal…

A design for improving the quality of information available for continuous operational study of student retention at the University of Hartford in Connecticut was examined involving a microcomputer based decision support system for student retention research. The system, an interactive modeling approach to conduct longitudinal and comparative…

Basic background information on college student attrition research studies is provided. This paper is divided into nine components that were prominent in the existing literature: (1) higher education and the concern for attrition; (2) factors involved in college student attrition; (3) demographic factors involved in college student attrition; (4)…

OF 196 COLLEGE FRESHMEN STUDIED IN 1960, 147 WERE INCLUDED IN A RESTUDY TO--(1) DETERMINE IF COMMITMENT TO THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHER STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS ARE RELATED TO CONTINUATION IN AGRICULTURE, CHANGES IN MAJOR, SCHOLASTIC RECORD, OR WITHDRAWAL FROM COLLEGE, (2) DETERMINE PRESENT STATUS OF 1960 FRESHMEN, AND (3) COMPARE STUDENTS…

Students who were enrolled at the Grand Valley State Colleges (GVSC) during fall 1977 but did not re-enroll winter 1978 were surveyed. The results showed that (1) 75 percent probably left for reasons the college could not expect to affect; (2) most complimented the college; (3) almost half had not expected to get a degree there to begin with; (4)…

Examines issues in the retention of African-American students in predominantly white institutions of higher learning. Factors affecting retention are cataloged, and the responsiveness of existing retention programs to these factors is analyzed. Focus on African-American students who do persist is needed to create a climate of inclusion. (SLD)

A survey of 498 undergraduate students withdrawing from a Canadian university was used to develop a model of student attrition. Students frequently attributed withdrawal to personal characteristics, institutional factors, and societal variables. Student academic performance was a causal factor for university-initiated withdrawal, and student…

As the second phase of a three-phase study of why students leave Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and why others remain, this research focuses on three questions: (1) what were the reasons for discontinuing studies at MATC? (2) what were the overall perceptions of the 269 leavers in 1989 regarding institutional and student services? and (3)…

The need for postsecondary educational programs for handicapped people is increasing, and colleges and universities need to provide access to postsecondary education. In addition to providing access, they also need to ensure that handicapped individuals are accommodated in the social and educational environment of college. However, it appears that…

Two recent studies proved the usefulness of predictors of academic performance and conceptual models that were developed primarily from research on traditional college students for the study of retention among nontraditional adult students in conventional postsecondary programs. Some modifications and extensions were suggested. The first study…

Student withdrawal from the University of Iowa was studied using an exit survey. Students' reasons for leaving the university, their future plans, and possible interventions that would have assisted the student to remain in school were assessed, along with the validity of the survey. Although there was only 62 percent agreement between the exit…

A reporting and study format for the investigation of university student retention is presented. Student progression and loss is shown graphically and in tabular form to enable ready comprehension and encourage data exploration. Data obtained at Virginia Commonwealth University for 1977-80 are used as illustration. Two ways of viewing student…

Describes a study which contrasted the persistence rates of community college transfer students with those of native university students over a six-year period. Indicates that transfer students had lower persistence rates than native students during their second and third terms, though rates for the fourth term showed no differences. (DMM)

This study explored the possibility of linking the Luna (1999) student flow matrix model with institutional planning at a comprehensive state institution, investigating how student flow environments were associated with student characteristics such as race, gender, citizenship, class level, entry type, and cumulative grade point average. The study…

A follow-up study of 16 women who entered a residential early college entrance program at ages 13-17 found that almost all found early college entrance a valuable and stimulating academic experience but also described considerable emotional distress during their college years. Over half of the respondents had left the program before graduation.…