On Aug. 18, nearly 5,000 incoming freshman began their journey at Florida Atlantic University eager to settle into their surroundings, make new friends, and hopefully learn a thing or two before they graduate. However, if the current trend continues nearly 60 percent of these students won’t earn their bachelor’s degree within the next six years.
The graduation rates at FAU have been below average for more than a decade, remaining between 34 and 41 percent, according to university documents. A recent change in legislation finally has put the pressure on FAU to do something about these alarming numbers.
Over the summer, the Florida Board of Governors, the assembly that regulates the state’s 12 public universities, approved a new performance funding system. Schools are graded on a 50-point system; among the factors considered: the number of students employed after graduation, second-year students who return with at least a 2.0 GPA and that year’s graduation rate (based on completing an undergraduate degree within six years).
FAU ranked among the bottom three schools, earning just 21 points. Because of that, the university lost $1.4 million in subsidies—money that is being redistributed to higher-performing schools. If FAU doesn’t show improvement by next year, the school stands to lose as much as $6.7 million.
Thomas Wilson, a professor in the sociology department, says that these figures may not be quite as troublesome as they seem. “After students leave FAU we don’t know where they go,” he says. “Sure, some of them just drop out, but many of them may be transferring to better universities.” He believes that in order to fix the problem, the administration needs to find out why these students aren’t graduating.
Felicha Philippe, a senior who started at FAU as a freshman in fall 2009, blames part of the problem on poor advising and scheduling issues. “I’ve gone to the same advisor three times, and I’ve been told three different things about which classes I should be taking,” she says. “Then when I finally figure out what course I need, there’s only one section offered—and it’s already full, minutes after registration opens.”
FAU has addressed these issues, and others pertaining to graduation rates, in a proposed improvement plan that was released in July. The school intends to increase the number of academic advisors and implement new advising software by December 2014. It also has implemented “Jump Start” summer programs targeted toward at-risk incoming freshmen and will develop “Flight Plan” study programs in 64 of the school’s 89 majors by next term.
Since being hired in January, new FAU president John Kelly has made improving academic standing a top priority. In addition to rebuilding its academic reputation, there is a potential reward down the road. At the end of this year, the Board of Governors will re-evaluate FAU’s graduation rates. If the numbers are trending in a positive direction, the university could see its funding restored.
About Annie:
Annie is a senior at Florida Atlantic Univerity working on her B.A in Multimedia Journalism and Sociology. She loves writing about fashion, beauty and entertainment. She hopes to one day be compared to Carrie Bradshaw.
