About this chart:

The accompanying chart presents graduation rates for three most recent entering freshmen classes that have had the opportunity to complete baccalaureate degree requirements within the conventional four-year timeframe. For the class entering in Fall 2000, four-, five-, and six-year completion rates are displayed; for those entering in Fall 2001, four- and five-year rates; and Fall 2002 entering students, degree recipients within four years after admission. These data were collected for all three entering cohorts at one point in time, as of Fall 2006. For additional information, contact the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, (716) 673-3187.

STUDENT RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT

Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act:

Federal legislation relating to student consumer rights requires all institutions participating in Federal student assistance programs to compile and publish completion and graduation rates. The information-gathering requirements are contained in legislation known as the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act as amended by the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991.

Title I of the Act requires institutions to disclose completion and graduation rates of full-time certificate or degree-seeking undergraduate students to current and prospective students by July 1, 1993 and annually thereafter. A student is considered to have completed or graduated if he or she fulfills the programÕs requirements within 150 percent of the normal time allotted for the program, that is six years for baccalaureate programs. Institutions may also augment these completion rates with information concerning students who left the institution prior to completion, and within 150 percent of the normal time allotted for completion, enrolled in a program at an eligible institution for which the prior program provided substantial preparation.

It is important to recognize that students withdraw from college for various reasons; academic, medical, personal, social and financial problems are among those reasons. Completion of degree requirements in more than four years, the normal time allotted for the baccalaureate degree, does not necessarily mean continuous enrollment during this interval but rather reflects the time span measured from the studentÕs initial enrollment through degree completion, and where appropriate, includes interruptions in attendance.

The SUNY Fredonia has undertaken retention studies to determine returning and graduation rates for each new entering freshman class. These cohort statistics are updated annually by tracking entering classes through the institution over time to arrive at retention figures and ultimately, graduation or completion rates.

Of the 960 full-time first-time-in-college freshmen entering the SUNY Fredonia in Fall 2000, 598 students or 62 percent completed program requirements and were awarded baccalaureate degrees within six years. Of these full-time first-time freshmen, 48 percent received their degrees within four years and 61 percent were awarded their degree within five years after admission.

In addition to these graduates, the legislation considers students transferring to other institutions as successful outcomes. Statistics provided by the State University Central Administration Office of Planning and Policy Analysis indicates within the six-year time frame, an additional 210 students or 22 percent of the original entering class transferred to another institution within the State University of New York system. Statistics regarding students transferring to non-SUNY schools are not available.

Of those students who after six years, had not received a degree from Fredonia or had not transferred, a number were still enrolled/still persisted at the institution. As of Fall 2006, ten students remained enrolled at the SUNY Fredonia in pursuit of their baccalaureate degrees.

Lastly, attrition is computed by subtraction. This figure reflects those students who left the institution without a degree and had not transferred to another SUNY institution. The six-year attrition rate therefore is calculated to be 14.8 percent of the entering class, or 142 students.

For additional information, contact the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, (716) 673-3187.

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