When it comes to graduating seniors in Tennessee, The University of Memphis is next to last, according to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The U of M's 38.7 graduation percentage ranks ninth out of the 10 Tennessee state universities. The U of M fell short of the state average of 49.2 percent and surpassed only Austin Peay State University in graduation average, which reported only a 35 percent average.
Improvements by other state universities like the University of Tennessee (63.2 percent) and Tennessee Tech University (50.2 percent) have increased the state average in graduation and pushed The U of M further toward the bottom of the state rankings.
Thomas Nenon, associate vice provost for undergraduate studies, said The University's problem with graduation rates has a lot to do with its urban location.
"We are going to be limited as a urban institution," said Nenon. "Students here have different situations."
Nenon said the fact that many students at The U of M support themselves affects the number of classes they are able to take. This brings down percentages.
"We have several more students who support themselves here," said Nenon. "It might take them a little while longer to graduate, but they are getting an education and learning key life skills."
Not only are students at The U of M working, but they are attending class at a much later age and are unable to earn a degree in four years, said Nenon.
Out of the 3,184 degrees awarded last semester, 32 percent of the graduates were over the age of 30.
"We have a high percentage of adult and part-time students," said Nenon. "They have full time jobs and families and they are still earning degrees."
For freshman professional studies major Emily Pace, the idea that Memphis is near the bottom in graduating students in four years is troubling.
"It's surprising," said Pace. "Either classes could be a lot harder than I expected or there are a lot of slackers here."
Freshman nursing major Laci White is already behind schedule in her first year.
"I changed my major so now I am at least a semester behind," said White. "It might take me five years to graduate because I don't want to cram everything in."
Although The U of M is 11 percent under the national average in graduation, The University's Retention Program is working to get struggling students back on the path of graduation and prevent students from just dropping out.
The University of Memphis Office of Institutional Research projects that 2,054 seniors will graduate during the 2005 semesters while 5,676 students will drop out.
"We give students back from suspension a realistic plan they can follow and get them back on track to graduate," Nenon said.
Students returning from academic suspension must meet with an academic counselor weekly for one semester while on probation.
The University of Memphis Office of Institutional Research is also working on a survey to determine how some students are able to graduate in four years.
"We are doing a survey to look at the really motivated students who graduate on time," said Darla Keel, institutional research Web specialist.
Other programs also include a day care program and more intensive advising sessions to help students get out on time. "We are open to looking at everything and moving barriers to improve The University," Nenon said.
