Many FAMU opponents say that the university should be not able to add any new graduate or professional programs, like a dental school, until it raises its six-year graduation rate. But, institutional research data shows that FAMU is doing well compared to other public institutions that have even more doctorate programs.In 2008, FAMU’s six-year graduation rate was 41 percent. That was only seven percentage points below the University of South Florida’s rate, which was 48 percent. The national average was 55 percent.
In a recent St. Petersburg Times article, USF officials said that the high level of financial need among their students is one problem that hurts their six-year graduation rate. 49.64 percent of USF’s Class of 2008 took out loans to help pay for their education. At FAMU, 83 percent of the Class of 2008 took out loans. Most FAMU students take smaller course loads when the cost of college goes up, which slows down their progress toward graduation day. But despite that challenge, FAMU’s six-year graduation rate reached the 40s along with USF’s.
USF, like the University of Florida and Florida State, is classified as a “Research University (very high research activity)” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The fact that USF has a six-year graduation rate below the national average did not stop the Board of Governors from recently giving it the green light to launch new doctoral programs in pharmacy, history, government, and sociology.
Florida Atlantic University’s six-year graduation rate is 39 percent and its Carnegie classification is “Research University (high research activity).” The BOG has not used FAU’s graduation rate as a reason to question the need for more graduate programs at that university. Last year, BOG members actually praised FAU’s overall academic performance when they appointed former FAU President Frank Brogan as the new SUS chancellor.
If USF can get new doctoral programs with a graduation rate that’s only slightly higher than FAMU’s, and if Brogan is qualified to lead the entire SUS despite the fact that his former university’s graduation rate is lower than FAMU’s, then there’s no reason that FAMU’s current graduation rate should prevent the BOG from approving its dental school proposal.
Sources: FAMU, USF, and FAU Common Set Data and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System reports.
Hang in there HBCU's, help is on the way.
ReplyDeleteSo what is the 4 year graduation rate? When did the 4 year degree change to a 6 year degree?
ReplyDeleteThe 6-year calculation is currently the standard used by the U.S. Department of Education. It changed to that a while back because most American college students take at least that amount of time to finish their undergraduate studies.
ReplyDeleteRattlerNation,
ReplyDeleteAs always, you provide an interesting read. However, has the BOG indicated that FAMU should not be granted graduate or professional programs because of our 6-year graduation rate, or are you simply speculating that it will?
The BOG has not said that FAMU's graduation rate should prevent it from expanding its graduate or professional programs. The 2007 Pappas Report, written by a consulting firm hired by the BOG, did recommend that FAMU become a baccalaureate-only institution.
ReplyDeleteRN is trying to address potential arguments against the dental school before the public debate kicks into high gear.
Because it is coming.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone said FAMU's grad rate is the reason for locking FAMU out of grad programs.
ReplyDeleteDevil's Advocate: For better or worse, FAMU's enrollment is 89% black. The SUS is charged with educating all Floridians, Latino, white and black. Seeing as how any student can go to any school in the state (directly or CC transfer), why would I put any specialty program at a univ that only serves one ethnic group? I can put it at an FAU or USF and students off all races... blah blah blah.
So why should it take 6 yrs to graduate in a 4 yr program?
ReplyDeleteBecause Students are not going to class, dropping classes and instead of studing they are taking too many trips with the sports teams, band and any place but school.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that there isn't enough housing and students are dealing with the cost of living by cutting down the number of courses they're taking.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather funny to read that now days it takes 6 years to obtain a 4 year degree, when back a few years it only took 4 years. Makes you wonder what has happened to our students? back in the day we all worked and went to college and guess what it took 4 years.
ReplyDeleteFAMU's no longer a small college that offer most of its students on campus housing. Back when more students had access to housing, it was easier for them to finish in 4 years.
ReplyDeleteToday the legislature requires FAMU to continue growing its student body but doesn't give any help with building more housing.
Students have to delay their graduation because they have trouble paying the rising tuition prices and the ever rising cost of off-campus living.
6:55pm, unless I missed something in the admission policies and statement, I've never seen where FAMU denies admissions to "...Floridians, Latino, and white...". Those students are as free to apply for admission to FAMU as they are to any of the other institutions in the SUS. FAMU can not be held responsible for the choices that those students/parents make with regard to their decision. But there are those out there that want to hold FAMU accountable for the lack of diversity on its campus. That is patently wrong.
ReplyDelete