Used Cooperative Institutional Research Program data on 262 students who began their college experience at two- year colleges to examine effects of students' backgrounds, academic and social integration, external influences, and institutional satisfaction on bachelor's degree attainment. Found college academic satisfaction, college social…

To measure the educational and personal growth of students receiving associate degrees at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) in June 1972, all 594 candidates for the degree were analyzed in terms of age, sex, academic aptitude, major, and transfer intention. In addition, student-perceived educational benefits were assessed by administering five…

Describes a method used to help students clarify and resolve problems related to their study habits. The "Plan-Making" process involves reality therapy, identifying characteristics of a good plan (e.g., simple, specific, repetitious, independent, and immediate), selecting areas of need, and individual conferences. Reviews student responses to the…

This paper suggests a cocurricular forensic program for departments of speech in junior colleges. Because the junior college has a commuting student body, many of the students hold part- or full-time jobs apart from class work, and nearly one student in four is married, the forensic program must show the student postcollege vocational…

Predicts, using independent variables such as student effort and campus environment, how community college students perceive their gains in general education and personal and social development. Finds that quality and quantity of student effort, as well as a positive perception of the campus environment, were significant predictors regardless of…

Describes a study investigating student involvement in community college organizations. Indicates that organization leaders were more involved in campus activities than ordinary members and nonmembers and that students who were highly involved in campus life tended to view community involvement more positively and anticipated engaging in community…

The importance of co-curricular experiences is leading to an increased scrutiny of student development functions. This ethnographic-interview study examines the effect of participation in intercollegiate athletics on students' academic success. The setting for the research was a large community college. Fourteen current and two former student…

Discusses cooperative learning, asserting that students must be individually accountable and credited for their efforts to help teammates attain goals. Describes the Peer and Self-Evaluation System (PSES), a new and reliable procedure in which students identify and record team skills and receive confidential feedback regarding personal strengths…

This study surveyed community college students to determine the dynamic relationships among: their background variables; college experiences; academic, career, and personal gains; and satisfaction. The Community College Student Experience Questionnaire was administered to 1,062 students, and A. Astin's (1991) input-environment-output assessment…

Investigated differences in student attitudes with regard to family independence, peer independence, social consciousness, and cultural sophistication. Results imply that residency status does not necessarily foster individual growth and development as related to independence and cultural sophistication. Suggests administrators should emphasize…

Presents an excerpt from the author's address to Schoolcraft College (Michigan). Speaks about the importance of guiding students and ourselves to examine ethical choices. Asserts that personal core values--such as truth, fairness, love, responsibility, and respect for diversity--should be nurtured and that they help determine whether a legally…

To gather data on the expectations, goals, perceived barriers, and academic plans of new freshmen students, the Trumbull Campus of Kent State University, in Ohio, surveyed the 358 new freshmen in fall 1993. Completed questionnaires were received from 276 (81%) of the students. An analysis of responses revealed the following: (1) the largest…

This study explored the changing nature of post-secondary students' situational demands and how students of different ages cope with those demands. The study proceeded by tracking episodes of demands and coping throughout an academic year with a sample of 56 students enrolled at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Canada) in 2-year…

Speculates on the causes of attrition in developmental-education classes, stating that two factors influencing it are how well a student identifies with his or her institution and the quality of faculty-student interaction. Asserts that institutions must be aware of the cultural histories and socialization experiences students bring with them, and…

Studies suggest that developmental students like peer tutoring, are more relaxed with peers, and feel that peer tutoring helps their grades. However, the small number of studies on college tutoring provides no consistent evidence that underprepared students who are tutored improve either their grades or grade point averages. The students who do…