Freshman Connections Retention Data

Populations:

*Freshman Connections Cohort (FC Cohort): This cohort type reflects freshmen who were living in Freshmen Connections residence halls on the fall 21-day count date. In 1997, McConnell was the only FC hall. For subsequent years, FC halls include Cowden, McConnell, Reilly, and Sechrist.

*Non-Freshman Connections Resident Cohort (Non-FC Cohort): This cohort type reflects freshmen who were living on campus in traditional, suite, or apartment style residence halls on the fall 21-day count date. Freshmen in Family Housing and Mountain View have been included, while freshmen in FC halls have been excluded.

*Off Campus Cohort: This cohort type reflects freshmen who were not living on campus on the fall 21-day count date.

*Data reflect full and part-time Mountain Campus students who are new (first-time) freshmen with fewer than 26 credits. Exchange students who fit these criteria have been omitted.

TRENDS BY COHORT TYPE

~ Students in FC Cohorts tend to persist from freshman to sophomore to junior to senior years at the university at higher rates than other freshmen.

One Year Later (Sophomore Year)
FC retention rates are 1-7 % higher than Non-FC
FC retention rates are 7-14 % higher than Off Campus

Two Years Later (Junior Year)
FC retention rates are *9-12 % higher than Non-FC
FC retention rates are 9-16 % higher than Off Campus

Three Years Later (Senior Year)
FC retention rates are 2-18 % higher than Non-FC
FC retention rates are 10-13 % higher than Off Campus

~ Students in Non-FC Resident Cohorts tend to persist from freshman to sophomore to junior years at higher rates than off campus freshmen.

One Year Later (Sophomore Year)
Non-FC retention rates are 1-10 % higher than Off Campus

Two Years Later (Junior Year)
Non-FC retention rates are **1-11 % higher than Off Campus

*Junior year retention rate for Fall 1997 FC Cohort was 2 % lower than Non-FC Resident Cohort retention rate.

** Junior year retention rate for Fall 1998 Non-FC Cohort was 1 % lower than Off Campus Cohort retention rate.

Graphs 1-3 | Table1

OFFICIAL FIRST-TIME, FULL-TIME
FRESHMEN RETENTION DATA
Fall 2002

Populations:

Official First-Time, Full-Time (FTFT) Freshmen: This cohort type reflects freshmen who were never before enrolled at NAU, who were enrolled on the fall 21-day count date for 12 or more credit hours, and who have (in most cases) transferred fewer than 12 credit hours. Registration in remedial, audit, and non-credit courses does not contribute to full-time status. Exchange students who fit these criteria have been omitted.

FTFT Freshman Connections: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the FC Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort.

FTFT Non-FC: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Non-FC Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort.

FTFT Off: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Off Campus Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort.

FTFT Mt. View: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Non-FC Mt. View Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort. Mt. View is on-campus housing provided by Residence life.

Trends by Cohort Type

~ FTFT FC Cohort’s first year retention rates are…

…2-7% lower than FTFT Mt. View
…1-2% higher than FTFT All
…2-7% higher than FTFT Non-FC
…5-15% higher than FTFT Off

Table 2

~ FTFT Mt. View Cohort’s first year retention rates are consistently higher than all other cohorts’ rates.

Graph 4

Conclusions

Considering FC, Non-FC On-Campus, and Off-Campus student cohorts by FC or FTFT criteria…

• If a freshmen experiences Freshmen Connections or the supportive environment of Mt. View, s/he is more likely to persist at NAU

• If a student lives on-campus in a non-FC/Non-Greek hall or off-campus during his/her freshmen year, s/he is less likely to persist at NAU

Northern Arizona University Office of Residence Life Freshman Connections Retention Data - Fall 2002 Prepared by Megan Gavin
Populations: Freshman Connections Cohort (FC Cohort): This cohort type reflects freshmen who were living in Freshmen Connections residence halls on the fall 21-day count date. In 1997, McConnell was the only FC hall. For subsequent years, FC halls include Cowden, McConnell, Reilly, and Sechrist. Non-Freshman Connections Resident Cohort (Non-FC Cohort): This cohort type reflects freshmen who were living on campus in traditional, suite, or apartment style residence halls on the fall 21-day count date. Freshmen in Family Housing and Mountain View have been included, while freshmen in FC halls have been excluded. Off Campus Cohort: This cohort type reflects freshmen who were not living on campus on the fall 21-day count date. Data reflect full and part-time Mountain Campus students who are new (first-time) freshmen with fewer than 26 credits. Exchange students who fit these criteria have been omitted. TRENDS BY COHORT TYPE ~ Students in FC Cohorts tend to persist from freshman to sophomore to junior to senior years at the university at higher rates than other freshmen. One Year Later (Sophomore Year) FC retention rates are 1-7 % higher than Non-FC FC retention rates are 7-14 % higher than Off Campus Two Years Later (Junior Year) FC retention rates are 9-12 % higher than Non-FC FC retention rates are 9-16 % higher than Off Campus Three Years Later (Senior Year) FC retention rates are 2-18 % higher than Non-FC FC retention rates are 10-13 % higher than Off Campus ~ Students in Non-FC Resident Cohorts tend to persist from freshman to sophomore to junior years at higher rates than off campus freshmen.* One Year Later (Sophomore Year) Non-FC retention rates are 1-10 % higher than Off Campus Two Years Later (Junior Year) Non-FC retention rates are *1-11 % higher than Off Campus Junior year retention rate for Fall 1997 FC Cohort was 2 % lower than Non-FC Resident Cohort retention rate. Junior year retention rate for Fall 1998 Non-FC Cohort was 1 % lower than Off Campus Cohort retention rate. Graphs 1-3 \| Table1 OFFICIAL FIRST-TIME, FULL-TIME FRESHMEN RETENTION DATA Fall 2002 Populations: Official First-Time, Full-Time (FTFT) Freshmen: This cohort type reflects freshmen who were never before enrolled at NAU, who were enrolled on the fall 21-day count date for 12 or more credit hours, and who have (in most cases) transferred fewer than 12 credit hours. Registration in remedial, audit, and non-credit courses does not contribute to full-time status. Exchange students who fit these criteria have been omitted. FTFT Freshman Connections: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the FC Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort. FTFT Non-FC: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Non-FC Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort. FTFT Off: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Off Campus Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort. FTFT Mt. View: This cohort type reflects freshmen found in the Non-FC Mt. View Cohort who are also found in the Official FTFT Cohort. Mt. View is on-campus housing provided by Residence life. Trends by Cohort Type ~ FTFT FC Cohort’s first year retention rates are… …2-7% lower than FTFT Mt. View …1-2% higher than FTFT All …2-7% higher than FTFT Non-FC …5-15% higher than FTFT Off Table 2 ~ FTFT Mt. View Cohort’s first year retention rates are consistently higher than all other cohorts’ rates. Graph 4 Conclusions Considering FC, Non-FC On-Campus, and Off-Campus student cohorts by FC or FTFT criteria…** • If a freshmen experiences Freshmen Connections or the supportive environment of Mt. View, s/he is more likely to persist at NAU • If a student lives on-campus in a non-FC/Non-Greek hall or off-campus during his/her freshmen year, s/he is less likely to persist at NAU