More CSU students graduating

By Jackie Womack
The Collegian

Students in the CSU system are graduating in increasing numbers, including Fresno State students, according to a report issued by the system.

The report shows the university’s graduation numbers have steadily increased over the past three years, from a total of 3,487 in the 2003-04 school year to a total of 3,873 in 2004-05 to a total of 4,065 in 2005-06.

The numbers are the totals for all degrees granted — bachelors, masters and doctoral.

The graduation percentages for Fresno State full-time freshmen for the years 1998-2004, are 14 percent after 4 years; 35 percent after 5 years and 46 percent after 6 years, according to the CSU system Web site.

Dennis Nef, associate vice president and dean of undergraduate affairs, said one element in the increasing numbers might be knowledge of requirements.

“One of the things that has to do with it is more student advising,” Nef said.

He said the president of the university appointed a Student Success Task Force to increase student achievement and graduation.

Nef said one thing that came out of the task force is the requirement that students who are in the 2005 catalog year or later and with 75 units or more obtain mandatory advising or face a registration hold.

According to Dean Christensen, an academic counselor with the office of advising services and member of the Student Success Task Force, students who take longer to graduate usually face financial pressures.

But he said an emphasis on helping upper-division students has possibly helped cut down on extra time spent at the university.

“The university has made helping seniors a priority,” he said.

Another factor in the increasing numbers might be increased enrollment over the years, according to Christensen. For example, Fresno State’s enrollment went up almost 650 students between 2000-2001. And it went up again in 2002 to 17,309, according to the CSU Web site.

Christensen said he expected to see an increase in enrollment when one looks at total enrollment numbers versus the percentage who graduate.

Senior Blake German said any increase in graduation numbers is because of students’ motivation.

“I wouldn’t credit it to the faculty or anything,” he said. “If you talk to three or four different counselors, you’ll get three or four different answers. It’s the students taking the initiative to get out of here.”

German, a construction management major, said one department chair gave him the wrong advice that caused him to take classes he didn’t need.

Christensen said the university’s emphasis on new student orientation — Dog Days — will probably also increase graduation numbers.

Freshman Tammy Correa said going through the program did help.

“I’m probably a little bit more prepared because I went through Dog Days. They [counselors] went through with us what it’s possible to do and what possible careers [after graduation],” she said.

According to Nef, another new program is a mentoring institute that identifies and helps students at risk of dropping out.

Nef said a number of programs like the mentoring program that have been put in place to help students along the road to graduation.

Junior Nick Loya said the growth in numbers probably has to do with more students enrolling and student motivation.

“A lot of students coming into college transfer and now realize they need to get things done,” he said.

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