Only On ABC-7: UTEP Explains Graduation Rate Calculations, Concerns
As the University of Texas at El Paso pursues Tier 1 status, ABC-7 looks at a potential hindrance: the university’s graduation rate.
A Texas Tribune interactive table allows users to compare graduation rates in public universities. Tier 1 institutions like Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin have rates around 50 percent. UTEP’s graduation rate is at 12 percent, according to the Texas Tribune.
UTEP’s president says the way that rate is calculated is misleading. “I have a real problem with graduation rates because I think they give us a false picture of what’s going on,” said Dr. Diana Natalicio.
Natalicio explained graduation rates do not factor in returning students, those who enroll in spring semester, part-time students or transfer students. Only first year freshmen who enroll in the fall and finish in four years are counted, which excludes the majority of Miners.
“Seventy percent of the people who graduate don’t get counted in the graduation rate. We have an overall impression among policymakers and regents that we’re far less successful than we actually are,” said Natalicio.
It’s also important to consider the make-up of UTEP’s student body: largely Hispanic, including many low-income students.
“If they have a full-time job, taking a full time load of 15 hours could be quite challenging, particularly if they have children and a lot of other obligations,” said Natalicio.
That said, we asked Natalicio how much of a setback the current graduation rate could present in its pursuit of Tier 1 status.
“We’re going to have to put up with people telling us about it, but we’re not going to let that drive the investments we make and our strategies toward student success,” said Natalicio.
Natalicio said she is talking to legislators and policy makers about her concerns with the graduation rate calculations. She hopes a more inclusive and representative value can be used to evaluate the success of a university.
Meantime, UTEP is still working to get degrees in more students’ hands faster. Though the university recently announced a 2.2 percent tuition hike for underclassmen, Natalicio said the extra money will be used in a way to hopefully encourage enrollment by scheduling more classes in better time slots.
UTEP is also introducing an incentives program in which students taking 36 credit hours per year will be eligible to receive a $250 discount on next year’s tuition.
