Findings of a Student Retention Study University of Saskatchewan

1. Findings of a Student Retention Study University of Saskatchewan Overview of Findings Kelly McInnes Tonya Wirchenko

2. Process • 2003: University’s Enrolment Plan called for a study of retention patterns, degree completion, and explanations • 2004: Planning and consultation • 2005 W: Established an Advisory Group that identified questions of interest, seconded a Computer Analyst to project • 2005 S: Narrowing of scope of cohort analysis, defining terms, realization of data limitations • 2005 S: Based on preliminary results & Identification of student-based studies • 2005 F: Hiring Retention Research Coordinator & Presentations of initial findings • 2006 W: Conducting student-based studies & Regular consultations/check- ins with Advisory Group • 2006 S/S: Final cohort based analysis • 2006 F: Interpretation of findings, development of presentations • 2007 W: Presentations • 2008: Drafting of final report for Fall release

3. Purpose of the Study • To conduct a cohort-based study of retention, attrition, and degree completion rates over the past few years • To better understand the reasons why students choose (or are required) to leave the University

4. Design • Cohort-based longitudinal analysis: • What are the rates and patterns of student retention, attrition and degree completion at the U of S? • Method: Longitudinal cohort-based analysis of data held in the Student Information System • Student-based studies: • What are the underlying reasons for student attrition at the U of S and what factors promote student success, persistence and degree completion? • Method: In-depth interviews, focus groups and surveys

5. Cohort-based analysisWhat are the rates and patterns of student retention, attrition and degree completion at the U of S?

6. Defining our Cohorts • Cohorts of Data: • From 1993 to 2003 • 5 Direct Entry Colleges: • Agriculture and Bioresources • Arts and Science • Edwards School of Business • Engineering • Kinesiology

7. Defining our Outcomes • Retention Outcomes: • Degree completion (received degree) • Continued registration (current student) • Internal transfer (transferred to other U of S College) • Attrition Outcomes: • Discontinued registration (academically eligible to return) • Withdrawn registration (in midst of term) • Required to discontinue (by the institution)

8. Overall Retention and Attrition

9. Year to YearRetention Rates forEach Cohort

10. Retention Rate for Each Cohort (After 1 Year)

11. Student Outcomes After 1 Year 1st Year Attrition ~27.5%

12. Retention Rate for Each Cohort (After 2 Years)

13. Retention Rate for Each Cohort (After 3 Years)

14. Retention Rate for Each Cohort (After 4 – 7 Yrs)

15. Retention Rates forEach College

16. Overall Retention by College

17. Retention Rate for Each College (After 1-3Yrs)

18. Retention Rate for Each College (After 4-7 Yrs)

19. Degree Completion

20. Degree Completion Rate for Each Cohort

21. Overall “Degree Completion” by College

22. Degree Completion Rate for Each College

23. Adjusted“Degree Completion” by College

24. Adjusted“Degree Completion” by College

25. Defining our Students • Origin of Student (entering point): • High school • Break after high school • Transferred from other post-secondary institution • Transferred from other U of S College

26. Overall Retention by Student Origin

27. Overall “Degree Completion” by Student Origin

28. Student-based Studies:What are the underlying reasons for student attrition at the U of S and what factors promote student success, persistence and degree completion?

29. Three Student-based Studies • Phone survey of early leavers • Focus groups with current students • Interviews with RTD students who have returned and are succeeding

30. Phone Surveyof Voluntary Leavers

31. Definition of Voluntary Leavers • Discontinued registration • Students who completed a term(s) and were academically eligible to return but did not register • Withdrawn registration • Students who withdrew registration in the midst of a term

32. Characteristics of Voluntary Leavers • Withdrawn Registration: Female 55%: Male 45% • Discontinued Registration: Female 64%: Male 36% • 23-24 years of age • School of matriculation • Urban = 53% • Rural = 31% • Out of Province = 12% • Admission average = 77-78% • GPA is about 61-64%

33. Reasons for attending university and choosing the U of S • Main reason for attending university: 1. Prepare for a specific job/career 36.0% 2. General education 24.5% 3. Get a ‘good job’ 18.9% • Main reason for choosing the U of S: 1. Close to family 76.0% 2. Program availability 8.6% 3. Reputation 6.2%

34. Did early leavers intendto pursue a degree? Majority of early leavers intended to pursue a degree at the U of S.

35. How sure were early leaversabout what area/major they wanted to pursue? 70.4% of early leavers were ‘not at all sure’ or only ‘somewhat sure’ of what area/major they wanted to pursue at the U of S.

36. How prepared did earlyleavers feel when they enrolled at the U of S? • 71% felt unprepared for at least one of the following:

37. What influenced early leavers’ decision to leave?

38. Where do early leavers go? • 48% have attended or are now attending another post-secondary institution • Majority of early leavers stay in SK (67%) • Majority attend college (63%)

39. What institutions do they attend? • SIAST 31.3% • University of Regina 16.6% • A University in Alberta 6.1% • U of Alberta • U of Calgary • U of Lethbridge • University of Manitoba 1.8%

40. Likelihood of Returning tothe U of S in the Next Year Majority of early leavers are ‘not at all likely’ to return to the U of S in the next year.

41. Focus GroupsWith Current U of S Students

42. What are the key challenges you have faced in your studies at the U of S? All Students: • Challenges involving professors • Adjustment from high school to university (expectations) • Academic skill development Aboriginal Students: • Feeling marginalized • Financial issues • Balancing school with other responsibilities

43. InterviewsRTD students who have returned and are succeeding

44. RTD students reported a common path to attrition • Began in first year • Lack of a goal  low investment in time/effort  poor study habits  poor performance  academic failure

45. RTD students reported a common path to a successful return • Identifying an “academic/career” goal • Making a conscious commitment to getting a degree

46. Next Steps • Benchmark data exists for comparison purposes • ‘Proceduralization’ of the collection of retention and attrition data within the University • Follow up studies may be pursued • Strategic development of structures, services, and programs that foster and promote retention

47. Recommendations • Understand retention as a vital component of effective enrollment management, setting targets for improved retention as well as for attracting voluntary leavers back • Take an intentional, comprehensive, and institution-wide approach to enhancing the first year experience

48. Recommendations • Create spaces, services and systems that allow students to connect with other students and that allow students to interact with faculty • Adopt proven models (e.g., Learning Communities) and develop our own models (e.g., University Life 101) to better engage students and assist in transition

49. Recommendations • The quality of teaching is of prime importance to students. The recommendations of the forthcoming Teaching and Learning Foundational document should be implemented. • Increase the availability and quality of integrated academic-career advising services on our campus. Advising for students who are undecided or interested in changing colleges should be made available to a greater degree.

50. Recommendations • Change structures and systems to facilitate decision-making and intentionality among students • Identify students who are at greater risk for attrition early and improve and develop services to meet their needs • Conduct future research that uses these findings as benchmark data.