Sarah Curtis and Jonathan Fox Chicano/Latino Research Center Chicano and Latino Undergraduate Graduation Trends at the University of California Sarah Curtis and Jonathan Fox Chicano/Latino Research Center May 1, 2009

OVERVIEW Introduction Findings Questions and Answers Discussion- How can UCSC improve the graduation rates of Chicano and Latino students? What actions do you think the university should take?

THE STUDY This study examines the changes in the rates at which Chicano/Latino students graduate from the University of California, for the 1989-2001 frosh cohorts. The study compares campus-wide averages, as well as Latino graduation rates across the different UC campuses beginning in 1994. The study then reviews the trends at UC Santa Cruz in greater detail, beginning with the 1989 cohort, including changes in the six- graduation rates of Latino students. This report also considers gender differences in Latino graduation rates.

Methodology The University of California does not have a centralized system in place that publicly reports retention and graduation rates, broken down by campus, ethnicity, gender and cohort. Tracking and reporting these figures is the responsibility of each campus. As a result, individual campus reports of degree completion rates were used Other sources of information: Ed Trust, the NCAA Report on the Federal Graduation Rates Data Tracking and reporting these figures is the responsibility of each campus.

IMPORTANT NOTES This study focuses on the graduation rates of traditional students- students who entered UCSC after high school Chicano and Latino students are counted together in the trends Graduation rates are typically measured in six years. Our study on UC graduation rates does not include UC Merced and UCSF This study is still a DRAFT!

Source: The Educational Trust, “UC Davis Graduation Rates and Time to Degree Report” (2004)  

Source: The Educational Trust, and NCAA Report on the Federal Graduation Rates Data 1994-2000 *Note: While each campus tracks ethnicity somewhat differently, this data reflects the totals for Chicano and Latino students, combined.

Latino Six Year Graduation Rates by Gender: Entering Frosh Cohorts 1989-2001

Conclusions: The average graduation rates of each UC campus show an overall trend towards improved degree attainment rates. However, some campuses have shown more dramatic improvement while than others have not. The ranking of UC campuses in terms of overall graduation rates show that UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz have consistently lagged behind other UCs. For the 1994-2000 frosh cohorts, many UCs exhibit an upward trend in Latino graduation rates. UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Los Angeles and UC San Diego have shown dramatic, sustained improvement in Latino six year graduation rates.

Conclusions At UCSC, the data beginning with the 1989 frosh cohort shows that the six year graduation rate for Latino students has been consistently lower than the campus average, but this gap has narrowed substantially over time, as the overall Latino student population has increased. Latina females receive UCSC degrees at a higher rate than Latino males, within the six and eight year bench marks.

Q & A ???

Discussion How can UCSC improve the graduation rates of Chicano and Latino students? What are some ways the university can better meet the needs of C/L students? Reflecting on your own experience- What are the things the university has done well to help you graduate, and what needs improvement?