Name of Report: Common Data Set 2001-2002
Organizational Affiliation: University of Rhode Island
Author: University of Rhode Island
Date: January 23, 2002
Contact Information: University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
401-874-1000
http://www.uri.edu
Pages: 31
Content Summary
As part of a collaborative effort by data collectors in higher education, the University of Rhode Island has compiled an institutional report in an effort to assist students' transition into higher education. Reported statistics include graduation rates, admission requirements, annual expenses, student demographics, financial aid, and degrees conferred. This report also contains a glossary of data terms.
Major Findings
Of the total degree and non-degree seeking undergraduate population (as of October 2001) there are 8,017 White students, 428 Black students, 427 Hispanic students, 367 Asian students, 48 American Indian students, 46 nonresident alien students, and 1,256 student whose race and ethnicity are unknown. Only 632 of the original 1,898 full-time first-time bachelor degree seeking students completed the program in four years or less; 364 of full-time first-time bachelor degree seeking students completed the program in five years or less; 114 completed the program in six years or less. The total amount of students graduating in six years or less was 1,110. The University of Rhode Island reports the full-time bachelor degree-seeking student six-year graduation rate as 55 percent. The University reports its freshman retention rate as 80 percent.
Unaddressed Issues Or Concerns
Although this report provides graduation and retention rates, it fails to aggregate its data by race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or English language proficiency. Susan Furr's and Theodore Elling's article examining factors linked to African-American student retention acknowledges "differing retention patterns among student subpopulations" and that African-Americans have higher drop-out rates than their White peers. (Furr and Ellis 188) Factors associated with increased student drop-out rates include being raised by a single parent, being a first-generation college student, living in an urban environment and having a lower socio-economic status (Furr and Ellis 189). An examination of differing retention rates among such sub-groups and the factors involved is crucial to developing an accurate profile of the University.
Reference List
Furr, Susan R., and Theodore W. Elling. "African-American Students in a Predominantly-White University: Factors Associated with Retention." College Student Journal 36 (2002): 188-199.
How to Access Report
http://autocrat.uri.edu/505.html