A Finding Aid for the Retention and Graduation Reports 1993-2013

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Retention and Graduation Reports

Creator: Ferris State University. Office of Institutional Research and Testing.

Dates: 1993-2018

Abstract: The retention and graduation reports is a series of statistical analyses of graduation rates subdivided by categories such as college, department and high school grade point average. The reports cover the years following the conversion to a semester schedule.

Language: English

Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet; 2 half records center boxes

Identification: UA 15.1.602

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

In 2002, the Institutional Research and Testing Office created a retention and graduation report for the university community. A number of surveys including the IPEDS graduation survey, NCAA reporting requirements and U.S. News and World Report or Petersons Guide all were using such measures as a determinant for success. Therefore, the university chose to make available the information used for the calculation of these rates.

Each "standard" reference used different factors in creating the rates. By producing the raw data, Institutional Research and Testing made the actual numbers available. Each report contained a series of diagrams and an initial key to the abbreviations. Information has also been collected concerning the graduation rate of transfer students.

Scope and Content Note

Retention and Graduation Reports were first produced in 2002, when graduation rates were a critical piece of information used in the comparison of universities. The data was created going back to 1993, when the school switched to a semester program. Each report broke down the information by: university, college, department, high school grade point average and ACT test scores. It showed the graduation and enrollment rates for up to 7 years.

The collection contains only the completed reports.

Arrangement

The papers are contained in a single series.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Retention and Graduation Reports are open for research to all users in accordance with University Archives and Records Management access policies. It is available in the reading room of the Ferris State University Archives.

Conditions of Use

Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the University Archivist. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to Ferris State University. For more information, contact the University Archivist.

Subject Headings

Below are a list of names, organizations and subjects relating to the collection. Names have been taken from Library of Congress Authority headings whenever possible.

Educational statistics
Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Statistics
Retention of college students

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box (or url). Retention and Graduation Reports. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

These records were transferred to the University Archives when published by the Institutional Research and Testing office.

Processing Information

The General Education Convocation Council Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in May 2008. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 2.0. A collection level MARC-21 record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of bound reports on 8.5 x 11 inch paper. No specialized software or hardware is required for viewing.

Content Listing

Series 1. Retention and Graduation Reports. 1993-2018.

Retention and Graduation Reports consists of approximately 1.0 cubic feet of records. Records include statistical data about graduates within certain years, and enrollment at the university.

They are arranged chronologically by the initial date of analysis. (i.e. Fall 1996 - Fall 2005)

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1993-Fall 2000.
1	2	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1993-Fall 2002.
1	3	Retention and Graduation Report. Summary. Fall 1993-Fall 2002.
1	4	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1994-Fall 2003.
1	5	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1995-Fall 2004.
1	6	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1996-Fall 2005.
1	7	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1997-Fall 2006.

Box	Folder	Contents
2	1	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 1998-Fall 2007.
2	2	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2000-Fall 2009.
2	3	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2001-Fall 2010.
2	4	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2002-Fall 2011.
2	5	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2003-Fall 2012.
2	6	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2004-Fall 2013.
2	7	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2005-Fall 2014.

Box	Folder	Contents
3	1	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2006-Fall 2015.
3	2	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2007-Fall 2016.
3	3	Retention and Graduation Report. Fall 2008-Fall 2016.