MnSCU Audit Committee

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MnSCU Audit Committee

• June 15, 2004

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Preliminary Report Higher Education Services to
Traditionally Underrepresented Student Populations

• John Asmussen
• Dolores Fridge
• June 15, 2004

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Study Objective

• To study and report on Minnesota State Colleges
  Universities higher education services provided
  to traditionally underrepresented student
  populations and the availability of reliable data
  for measuring results.

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Background

• Study requested by the Chancellor in January 2004
• To expand on ad-hoc information presented in
  quarterly reports to the board
• Co-sponsors Office of Equal Opportunity
  Diversity and Office of Internal Auditing

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Methodology

• Structured interviews with representatives from
  each college and university
• Analyzed Recruitment Retention Plans compiled
  in FY 03 and implemented in FY 04
• Inventoried additional RR activities
• Analyzed data completeness and usage

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Definition of Traditionally Underrepresented

• System Definition
• Racial/Ethnic Minority,
• Low Income, or
• First Generation College Student
• Institutions expand on the definition to suit
  their mission or service area

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Preliminary Results

• Extensive RR Activity Occurring
• 1,896 activities inventoried
• Significant Population to Serve
• Minimum of 35 of degree seeking students are
  from underrepresented populations
• Limited Resources Available
• Unable to Measure Results due to Incomplete Data

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Incomplete Data

• 23 of 37 institutions/campuses reviewed do not
  know race/ethnicity for over 10 of their
  students
• Student Intent not recorded
• Parental Education Level not recorded

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Learner Segments
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Need to Assess RR Activities

• Design an assessment approach
• 1,896 Activities Inventoried
• 389 Environmental
• 738 Recruitment
• 537 Retention
• 232 Departing Students
• Provide early feedback to institutions on plans

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Measure Results and Target Resources Strategically

• Develop Term-by-Term Enrollment Activity Reports
• For example, in Fall 2003
• 49,355 of 177,129 students were new
• 30,665 of 177,129 students did not return for
  Spring 2004 term
• Federal Support Services Example
• In Fall 2003, 4,292 students served at a cost of
  5.8 million

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Survey Non-returning Students

• In Fall 2003, over 30,000 students left our
  institutions without degrees or transferring to
  other system institutions
• Based on student intent, determine reasons for
  departure
• Use results for continuous improvement

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Fix Technical Problems

• Customized Undergraduate Admissions Application
• Require Assessment Testing and link to
  Developmental Courses
• Inconsistent Data Definitions
• Access to High Demand Programs

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Consider Public Policy Issues

• Significantly more racial/ethnic minorities rely
  on federal Pell grants. In Fall 2003, based on
  known Racial/Ethnic Minorities, of students on
  Pell were

Institutions Minorities Others
Colleges 59 27
Universities 51 25
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(No Transcript)
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Metropolitan Area CollegesTrends Fall 01 to
Fall 03
Enrollment Increase 13
Average Tuition Fee Increase 23
Students on Financial Aid 33
Financial Aid Per Recipient 18
Student Loans Per Recipient 37
Federal Grants Per Recipient 3
State Grants Per Recipient -21
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Next Steps

• Finish Review with Cabinet
• Review with Leadership Council in July
• Final Report to Board of Trustees in July

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MnSCU Office of Internal Auditing

• A CATALYST
• FOR IMPROVEMENT

Website www.internalauditing.mnscu.edu