Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02150180
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED279482 AUTHOR: Ramirez, Genevieve M.
TITLE: Retention of the Latino University Student: The Case
of CSULB.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1986
NOTE: 69 p.
ABSTRACT: This study examines the characteristics, needs,
and actual experiences of Latino (Mexican American/Chicano
and other Hispanic) students enrolled at California State
University, Long Beach (CSULB), through identification of
Hispanic demographic characteristics from university
records, comparison of Student Affirmative Action Outreach
Program (SAA) participants with non-participant Latino
peers, and random sample interviews with SAA participants.
Although Latino CSULB enrollment grew from 5.4% to 8.7% from
1975 to 1985, Latinos, who comprise 18.1% of California high
school graduates, are greatly underrepresented. Of SAA
Latino students entering CSULB in 1982-83, 73% had been
retained to begin their fourth year in 1985 or had
graduated. Findings indicate academic failure/difficulty
results from unrealistic expectations, lack of clear
personal goals deemed attainable, general alienation from
the institutional mainstream, and interference of external
circumstances. Factors favoring academic
persistence/performance include parental influence, early
expectations for higher education, appropriate course
scheduling incorporating skills development classes with
academic solids, and clear career/major direction.
Recommendations offered to enhance Latino student retention
include providing academic support programs for new
students; staffing programs with professionals; and offering
programs with advisor controlled scheduling,
supplementary/tutorial instruction, career
exploration/planning, financial aid/evaluation, incentives
for campus organizational/activity involvement, help in
identifying career-related internships, and intensive
intervention for unsatisfactory progress. (NEC)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Academic-Achievement; Academic-Education;
College-Curriculum; Cultural-Influences; Educational-Needs;
Ethnic-Groups; Higher-Education; Minority-Groups;
Questionnaires-; Student-Motivation
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Academic-Persistence; *College-Students;
*Educational-Strategies; *Hispanic-Americans; *School
Holding-Power; *Student-Characteristics
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