The purpose of this study was to examine what effect the Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) program, a variation of a non-residential learning community had on academic achievement scores and institutional rates of persistence. Study variables included: gender; race; pre-collegiate academic achievement (GPA scores); educational preferences (major…

This study of a Mid Atlantic Historically Black Institution (MAHBI) examines cognitive, social, and institutional factors to identify those that are most critical in contributing to the steady decline of the rate of student retention for this institution and others with similar characteristics. Secondary source data pertaining to three cohorts…

A 1998 amendment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was clear in permitting colleges and universities to notify parents of students under age 21 when they have been found responsible for "a disciplinary violation with respect to such use or possession" of alcohol or any controlled substance (FERPA, 20 U.S.C. section 1232g,…

A quasi-experiment using quantitative methods was conducted to examine the effects on academic student outcomes when a cohort of employed low-SES community college commuter students (the treatment group, N=198) participated in a comprehensive support and access intervention program, compared with similar students (the matched comparison group,…

Based on Tinto's (1993) model of academic persistence, this study investigated the relationship of loneliness, social support, and living arrangements with academic persistence decisions of 401 college freshmen. Participants completed a series of standardized instruments during class time. Social support was negatively related to loneliness and…

It was hypothesized that students living in campus dormitories would have a significantly higher grade point average than students commuting to colleges. The population used in the study consisted of freshman students completing their first academic year during the spring of 1976, 1977, and 1978. The means of the grade point averages for each year…

Examined grade point averages (GPAs) of students (n=80) residing off-campus or in university dormitories. Data collected from official university records included GPA, American College Testing (ACT) scores, and housing accommodations. Found no significant differences between GPAs of on-campus and off-campus students. Academic ability, as measured…

To determine whether the scholastic averages of resident students at York College, Pennsylvania are significantly different from those of commuting students, 200 resident students were compared with 200 commuting students. The groups were randomly selected and matched in terms of sex, college class, marital status, and intelligence. Scholastic…

A study was done to explore the relationship between academic achievement and student employment for college students in the arts and sciences and for business students. The study administered a one page questionnaire to students at nine colleges and universities on Long Island, New York, eight of which were primarily commuter colleges with a…

A representative sample of 37 incoming Asian-American freshmen at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), reported their attitudes and perceptions on a number of personal and social issues. Forty-one percent attended UMCP because of its geographic location, and more than half came to learn skills directly applicable to a career.…

Focusing on freshmen commuter students and freshmen dormitory students at Johnson and Wales College, general characteristics and academic achievement were measured. General entrance characteristics included student age, College Entrance Examination Board scores and high school rank. Academic achievement was measured in terms of student grades in…

This study examined the effects of living on- or off-campus on the grades of first-year students at York University (Ontario). A total of 1,848 first-year students were uurveyed by mail in February-March 1995, with a response nate of 65 percent. Data were also obtained from administrative records. The survey found that 74 percent of respondents…

This study investigated the contributions of entering characteristics and college experiences on student satisfaction and degree completion using the input-environment-outcome assessment model developed by A. W. Astin (1995). A total of 594 college students who had started college about 5 years previously completed a survey about their college…

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of various types of living accommodations on the academic performance of college freshmen at West Chester State College (Pennsylvania). Three types of housing were defined: single-sex dormitories, coeducational dormitories, and commuter living accommodations. The association of housing…

A survey of 1,200 students at York University (Ontario) found students' place of residence affected student involvement and first-year grades. After controlling for standardized test scores and department, freshman grades of off-campus students were higher than those of on-campus students. Despite off-campus residence and low involvement in some…