According to both this website and this PDF and this PDF (both from CSUMB), CSU Monterey Bay has a dismally low graduation rate. One in ten students will get a degree in four years; two in five will have their degrees in six. The CSU system as a whole isn't much better; 9% more get their degrees in six years, and 3% more get their degrees in four years.
Why do we have so many people who want to hang around?
I had a meeting with one of my school's academic advisors yesterday, both to ask her some questions about my transcripts and to interview her for an upcoming article I have in the school newspaper. She said that my transcripts looked fine and I was supposed to have that many units. She also said that CSUMB has some of the most desirable housing in the state (in terms of location, not quality), and that students, once they get past the 120 units needed to graduate, often just go to East Campus housing and stay there for as long as possible, switching majors and racking up units, until they've lived there for 10 or 12 years and absolutely have to find a way out. Those people, obviously, drive down our graduation rate, but I admire them for their dedication at achieving a well-rounded education.
We also have the students who just keep changing their mind, completely innocently. The advisor said that the problems usually arose when a student in an open, flexible major like SBS or HCOM switched to a much more regimented major like Liberal Studies or Business, which have major prerequisites along with the requisites. As a result, these students are often here a lot longer than they originally intended.
Finally, we have the students who are just completely unmotivated. CSUMB's system is designed for students to need 15 units per semester to graduate in four years. Most students end up taking 16 units per semester, simply because the majority of classes are 4 units, and it's hard to get exactly 15. However, 12 units is considered a "full load" for a "full-time student." For students who take the 12 unit approach, they can get their degree in five years, but when combined with switching majors and not convening regularly with their advisor to ensure they're on track, these students are often here just as long as they want to be. They'll move on when they get there, but they're taking their sweet time about reaching that finish line.
My solution to all these problems?
Offer every proseminar every semester, to anyone who wants to take them. Require each student to take two (the equivalent of a 4 unit class) per semester, until they are sure they want to pick that major.
Once they have picked that major, incorporate their major classes along with their GEs, so they get the full experience, but don't burn out on doing the same thing over and over again. I know I get bored doing the same thing over and over again, and this applies to classes, too. My semester this fall is five HCOM classes. I know how to torture myself.
If they decide they don't like the major, they can still change at a later date, and not have the entire semester or year become a waste, because they still have taken GEs and made progress towards their degree.
If a student has stayed long enough to surpass the 120 units needed to graduate but cannot graduate because of coursework incompletion, put a cap on total "earnable" units to 180. Everyone can finish a degree in 60 units.
I doubt anyone important is going to notice this, but it definitely would be worth a shot.
If only I ran a university.
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6 comments:
I can see were your coming from though I feel you are misinformed. You acknowledge that there are flaws in the system, though you make it sound like students at CSUMB are just lazy and wanting to stay there, though there is much more to it. First off your class unit figures are off, with in HCom it takes 135-145 units to get a degree. So that is more than 15 units a semester. Also it will take the amount years you say if you pass every class first time around. Also CSUMB has its own way of figuring out units. Tech-Tools CST-101 is supposed to be an easy freshman class that’s 4 units, though to make the same requirement and get the same knowledge is 11 Cabrillo College units. Maybe that explains why the teacher always has to run over time and makes it clear from day 1 that she has abasultly no time to help you. You mention the few lifers at Fredric Park, though how about the much bigger number of students that drop-out or transfer. CSUMB students work harder than most students and have goals, it’s just that students are human.
Firstly, I wasn't saying all majors require that many, that is just the *minimum* number of units required to graduate from CSUMB. I know there are unit-heavier majors than others, but isn't that the best reason to not have to take CST unless you need to?
Secondly, I'm not talking about retention rates, I'm talking about graduation rates. There's a big difference, like you said.
I don't understand your comment about unit equivalency? I'm only talking about CSUMB and their particular circumstance.
And is it that particularly hard to pass a class? I've never been in danger of failing.
I'm not saying CSUMB students are lazy at all. People change their minds, people want or need to stay for all kinds of reasons. The "lifers" as you say were not my idea; the advisor told me that there are more than a few, and they actually are causing a big problem on campus.
…The most desirable housing on campus because it’s cheap. But we get what we pay for. I guess it is hard to complain though, since rent anywhere else in this area is ridiculous, unless of course you want to live in East Salinas. If we did that, we might be able to drive the gangs out, or at least have a nice war! That is a different story...looking forward to the article. I hope it annihilates MLO's, ULR's and all that BULLSHIT!
I like your ideas. They need fleshing out, but they just might work. I especially like the multiple ProSem idea. I changed my major from Japanese to HCOM within a semester, something I might not have done unless I took my 2nd HCOM class. Best decision I have made at this school yet.
I like all of your ideas and I know about six people staying in East Campus that are well into their thirties so I definitely know its a numbers game as far as playing the system. Also I think that the economy also plays a role in graduation rates in which for alot of people its either work for family and bills or go to school. So, there ends up being some sort of sacrifice which unfortunately tends to be school. I can definitely identify and respect your outlook!!!
I dont understand why the all schools have a different rating and ranking systems. I transfered from a Private school and lost most of my units in the move. But when i was looking to transfer every school gave me a different amount of credits they would accept from me, its rediculous. Credits shouldnt matter as much as the courses you have to take. Then in some cases i think more people would graduate if they could work the system right. Debates like these could go on for ever!
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