Name of Report: Common Data Set 1999-2000
Organizational Affiliation: University of Rhode Island
Author: University of Rhode Island
Date: March 24, 2000
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-seeking undergraduate students (as of October 1999) 7,748 students are White, 387 students are Black, 372 students are Hispanic, 365 students are Asian, 48 students are nonresident aliens, 45 students are American Indian, and 1258 students did not report their race or ethnicity. Only 530 of the original 1,900 full-time first-time bachelor degree seeking students completed the program in four years or less; 411 of full-time first-time bachelor degree seeking students completed the program in five years or less; 96 completed the program in six years or less. The total amount of students graduating in six years or less was 1,037. 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 79 percent.
Unaddressed Issues Or Concerns
The report fails to provide aggregated data by race or ethnicity about the socio-economic status of its students. The socio-economic status of the communities from which these students come factors into their social and psychological adjustment in college as well as the decision to remain enrolled or not. (Alford 2) Black students from lower socio-economic communities are at particular risk of dropping-out. (Alford 1) When attempting report statistics about student retention and graduation rates particular attention, data collectors must pay particular attention to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status as they are major factors in the decision to remain enrolled in higher education.
Reference List
Alford, Schevaletta M. "A Qualitative Study of The College Social Adjustment of Black Students from Lower Socioeconomic Communities." Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development 28 (2000): 2-12.
How to Access Report
http://autocrat.uri.edu/505.html