Freshman Inquiry Retention Preliminary Findings

Sukhwant Jhaj, Rowanna CarpenterUniversity StudiesPortland State University

Evolving Assessment Structure

Prior Learning Survey --Student background characteristics--Student rating of academic skills--Student current life situation

End of Year Survey--Course evaluation--Academic Plans--Satisfaction

E-Portfolio Assessment--Student learning re: UNST goals

Evolving Assessment Structure

Prior Learning Survey

End of Year Survey

E-Portfolio Assessment

University Student Data Warehouse - Student Retention - Academic Performance

Evolving Assessment Structure

• Enhanced collaboration with OIRP through unique Assessment Associate position

• Connections among data sources, institutional and departmental projects.

Focus on First-Time Freshmen in FRINQ• 1190 Freshmen

– Admitted to PSU for Fall 2007– Enrolled in a FRINQ course Fall term– Includes both full-time and part-time students– NOT

• Honors, Liberal Studies, Pre-nursing or others not required to take UNST

• Freshmen entering with >30 credits• 1008 completed the Prior Learning Survey

– 84.7% response rate

FRINQ Student ProfileFall 2007 FRINQ Student Profile

47.3%52.7%

4.3%12.6%

65.8%

5.7%0.8%

7.0% 4.7% 1.8% 2.5% 5.1%11.1%

79.4%

46.7%53.3%

68.60%

18.30%12.40%

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Gender Ethnicity Before PSU Parents'Education

Age

N=1190

Academic Preparedness/Plan FRINQ Students' Academic Plans Fall 2007-2008

77.2%

6.4%13.6%

78.0%

6.9%13.6%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

PSU bachelors Transfer Not sure

N2007=1190, N2008=1251

2007

2008

Student Success

Academic Preparedness/Plan

• Students who reported intending to graduate from PSU had a higher fall-to-fall retention rate than others.

• First-generation students tended to leave between fall and winter terms.

• Students who have high school GPA below 3.0 tended to have lower fall-to-fall retention.

        Fall 2008 Status

       Retained at PSU

Not enrolled at

PSU

    Total % n % n %

Overall   1190 100 775 65.2 415  34.8

Immediate Ed Plan**              

  PSU bachelors 771 77.0 534 69.3 237 30.7

  Transfer 65 6.5 38 58.5 27 41.5

  Not sure 138 13.8 77 55.8 61 44.2

*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status

**Figures do not add to Total because some students did not answer this question on the survey.

FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU

Fall 2007-Fall 2008

FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU

Fall 2007-Fall 2008        Fall 2008 Status

       Retained at

PSU Not enrolled at

PSU

    Total % n % n %

Overall   1190 100 775 65.2 415  34.8

HS GPA              

  <=3.0 329 29.0 184 55.9 145 44.1

 3.01-3.50 490 43.2 331 67.6 159 32.4

  3.51+ 323 28.5 231 71.5 92 28.5

*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status

Financial Resources

• There appeared to be no difference in retention based on income status (Pell Grant and other need-based aid eligible v. Not eligible)

• Students who report finances as a top concern tended to have a lower retention rate than those who reported academics as a top concern.

Financial ResourcesFRINQ Students' Top Concerns Fall 2007 - Fall 2008

31.7%

52.9%

15.4%

32.3%

50.6%

16.8%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

Finances AcademicPerformance

Other

N2007=1190, N2008=1251

2007

2008

        Fall 2008 Status

       Retained at

PSU Not enrolled

at PSU

    Total % n % n %

Overall   1190 100 775 65.2 415  34.8

Top Concern**              

  Finances 318 31.9 191 60.1 127 39.9

  Ac. Perf. 524 52.6 371 70.8 153 29.2

*Students admitted for Fall 2007 with freshman status

**Figures do not add to Total because some students did not answer this question on the survey.

FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU

Fall 2007-Fall 2008

Connectedness

• Support from friends and family tended to be related to higher retention.

• Living on campus seemed to be related to lower retention for first-generation students.

Assessment to Action – Student Support

• Early identification of students at risk.• Ongoing communication with all students.

– Biweekly emails– University Studies’ Students First

Success System and research group• Quick intervention when needed.

– Course Progress Notification

Assessment to Action-Campus Connections

• Faculty research group formed by Director of University Studies to direct research

• Collaboration with Student Affairs• Retention initiative

Thank YouRowanna Carpenter

Assessment AssociateUniversity Studies

Portland State Universitycarpenterr@pdx.edu

Sukhwant JhajDirector

University StudiesPortland State University

jhaj@pdx.edu