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Retention Research

Key Findings

An overwhelming majority of first-year students reported being satisfied with their college experiences at UT. Approximately 71% of respondents “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement, “I am satisfied with my college experiences at UT.”

Women (M=4.08) were more satisfied than men (M=3.88).1 Said differently, nearly 75 percent of all women “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the satisfaction statement; only 65 percent of men agreed.

White students (M=4.02) were more satisfied than students of color (M=3.84) with their first-year college experiences at UT. For instance, while 73 percent of white students reported being satisfied, only 65 percent of students of color agreed. Conversely, 28 percent of white students were ambivalent about or dissatisfied with their college experiences while 35 percent of students of color reported being ­dissatisfied.

First-year students who received support from family and friends during the transition to college were more satisfied with their experience at UT than those who received little or no support from family and friends.2 Similarly, first-year students who received support from UT faculty and staff during their transition to college were more satisfied with their experience than those who received little to no support from UT personnel.3 Getting support from UT faculty and staff during the transition to college had the greatest impact on student satisfaction with the first year of college.

First-year students with higher grades (mostly A’s) were more satisfied than students with lower grades during the first year of college.4 Students who reported more frequent involvement in UT clubs and organizations were also more ­satisfied with college than those with little to no campus involvement.5

First-year students who were highly satisfied with their college experiences at UT also were more likely to intend to stay in school!6

Summary

Overall, first-year students at the University of Tennessee report being satisfied with their college experiences. Still a number of interesting differences were uncovered in this brief analysis. For instance, women are more satisfied than men. Administrators and faculty members should consider these questions when fashioning campus policies and programs:

  • How are men recruited to participate in clubs and organizations?
  • What challenges do racial/ethnic minorities face at UT?
  • What services are provided to support low-performing students?
  • How can faculty and administrators assist first-year students in their transition to college?

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Footnotes

  • 1 t(574) = -2.54, p < 0.01.
  • 2 r = 0.30, p < 0.01.
  • 3 r = 0.37, p < 0.01.
  • 4 r = 0.12, p < 0.01.
  • 5 r= 0.10, p < 0.01.
  • 6 r=0.75, p<0.01.

Articles

Special Points of Interest

  • In 2005, the first to second year retention rate at UT was 81.7%
  • In 2005, approximately 13% of first-year students were placed on academic review after their first term
  • Findings from the First-Year Survey suggest that, on average, UT students are “satisfied” with their college experience
  • Findings are consistent with UT responses on the NSSE 2007; however, UT students are less satisfied than students at our peer institutions