Student attrition in higher education is a pervasive problem. In this analysis, we used a longitudinal sample of nearly 10,000 university students to examine the relative importance of social, behavioral, and interpersonal factors on student retention over time. Our findings show that increased depressive symptoms, antisocial behaviors, exposure…

Although many studies have examined college student attrition, no extant literature examines the phenomenon of undergraduates who discontinue their enrollment in college during a semester of their senior year. This study used both institutional and self-reported survey data to examine the rationale behind seniors' decision to leave college during…

The investigators reviewed the retention literature and developed a 53-item questionnaire and tested its validity. Component analysis of the responses of 2,022 students at four schools yielded six reliable factors: Institutional Commitment, Degree Commitment, Academic Integration, Social Integration, Support Services Satisfaction, and Academic…

Many college entrants' parents do not have college degrees. These entrants are at high risk for attrition, suggesting it is critical to understand mechanisms of attrition relative to parental education. Moderators and mediators of the effect of parental education on attrition were investigated in 3,290 students over 4 years. Low parental education…

A sobering 2002 study reported that over 2 million college students drove under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in 1999. Among those driving while intoxicated, approximately 1.7% or roughly 34,000 students reported being arrested on DUI charges. Regrettably, a significant proportion of the 1,400 college student deaths and 500,000 injuries are…

Provides a simplified presentation of a LISREL analysis, a causal analysis technique, including an elementary discussion of the technique itself, and suggestions for useful applications of LISREL for research on college students. Presents analysis of students' commitment to a university. (Author/ABL)

Reviews literature on student retention in colleges and universities and considers components of a college retention program that will enhance student's primary objective of academic achievement. Discusses need for quality instructional program and appropriate leadership structure. (NB)

Study elaborates on Tinto's (1975) theory of student departure by focusing on the concept of social integration. Examining freshmen at a Research I institution using three quantitative instruments, study finds that how students deal with stress impacts their level of social integration, institutional commitment, and intent to reenroll. (Contains…

Examined attrition experience of urban commuter university with substantial Black enrollment. Subjects were 8,062 White students and 2,220 Black students. Results indicated that Black undergraduates dropped out at a higher rate than did White students, even when academic achievement was controlled. (Author/NB)

Asserts that path analysis is an optimum data-analytic technique for the research, development, and evaluation of planned interventions to reduce college student attrition. Describes and illustrates technique of path analysis. (Author/NB)

Reviews and critically examines research on academic programs for improving retention of at-risk minority college students. Recommends academic retention program designers incorporate effective instructional components and program evaluators implement better controlled research studies. (Author/ABL)

Enrollment managers in search of a flexible, comprehensive student flow model will find the Markov Chain a suitable mathematical process for use in tracking students through their academic careers. Furthermore, projections can be made based on previous enrollment patterns, and many scenarios can be examined under various constraints and…

Identifies issues relevant to nontransfer college seniors who disenroll before graduating. Analysis suggests that nonretention of seniors was best predicted by dissatisfaction with academic guidance, access to school-related information, and quality of education, as well as by feelings of institutional alienation. Discusses implications for future…

Analyzed use, holding power effectiveness, cost, staffing, and cost-effectiveness for seven retention programs across smaller community colleges (N=93). Results suggest that peer-related and adult learner interventions may be useful. (Author/NB)

Examined whether or not participation in a college discovery program was useful in the retention or attrition of educationally underprepared Black freshmen (N=137). Found the role of the counselor and the scope of counseling services during the freshman year to be of primary importance in the retention of educationally underprepared Black college…