To Be Announced...

Since I never went to a public university, I have to say I'm a bit shocked at these numbers...

Not the facts about minority graduation rates, but overall graduation rates...yikes.

You know - I've filled out quite a few job applications in my time and they always ask how many years of schooling you had. Several have had the numbers 1-12 listed for elementary and high school education years, and then 13-17 for college years. I guess we can stop saying, "I got my 4-year degree" after seeing this.

Schools to investigate grad rates

AMES -- Graduation and retention rates, specifically those of minorities, were a top concern for the Iowa state Board of Regents on Tuesday and resulted in the beginning of an institutional task force to address the issue.

At the University of Iowa, the one-year retention rates were almost four percentage points lower than they were for non-minorities, according to an annual report submitted to the board. The six-year graduation rate for minorities was almost 11 percentage points lower than for non-minorities. Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa also showed discrepancies based on race.

UI's overall six-year graduation rate is 65.5 percent, down slightly from the 2006 rate of 66.2 percent.

While much of the focus of a similar Des Moines Register story is on the disparity between student-athletes and minorities, this six-year information is a shock. Does it really take that long to get a 4-year degree?

Regents fret about rate of minority graduations - DSM Register

Ames, Ia. - If Iowa's public universities put as much money into helping minority students as they do athletes, graduation rates for minorities would improve, university leaders said Tuesday.

Iowa's student athletes have access to study centers, free tutors and scholarships that are incentives to keep their grades up.

But...

Regent Mary Ellen Becker said special attention needs to be given to minority retention and graduation programs, rather than the student body as a whole.

"It's not a matter of whether these things work for the student body in total, but whether we are closing the gap," she said.

Ah, yes...the gap. Usually that means the solution will be to lower the overall graduation rates and bring them down along with the rest of the ship. That's how liberals think.

- Six-year graduation rates for U of I minorities were nearly 55 percent in 2006, 11 percentage points below those for non-minorities.

- At Iowa State University, minority graduation rates were 55.2 percent in 2006, 12 points lower than for non-minorities.

- The graduation rate for minorities at the University of Northern Iowa was 51.2 percent, 17 points lower than the rate for non-minorities.

They also will definitely need more money to do this. Where...oh, where will they get enough money to solve the problem?

Little noticed item at the bottom of the Iowa City Press Citizen story:

UI got a nod of approval from the board for a number of big projects around campus. The regents unanimously approved a $90 million Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Facility, a $3 million renovation on the Bowen Science Building, a $15 million second phase of renovation and landscaping on the Art Building, a $9 million addition to Burge Hall and roof repairs on 102 Church St., the president's home.

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