ERIC ED341350: Enrollment and Graduation Patterns of Undergraduates Transferring to UC Davis: 1976-1991. Research Synopsis No. 45.

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by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
HE 025 246
ED 341 350
Enrollment and Graduation Patterns of Undergraduates
TITLE
Transferring to UC Davis: 1976-1991. Research
Synopsis No. 45.
California Univ., Davis. Office of Student Affairs
INSTITUTION
Research and Information.
Jan 92
PUB DATE
13p.; For related documents, see HE 025 239-246.
NOTE
Reports - Research/Technical (143)
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Affirmative Action; Asian Americans; Black Students;
DESCRIPTORS
College Freshmen; College Graduates; College Juniors;
College Sophomores; *College Transfer Students;
Community Colleges; Continuation Students;
Enrollment; *Enrollment Trends; Ethnic Groups; Higher
Education; Hispanic Americans; Prior Learning;
*School Holding Power; Student Mobility; Transfer
Policy; Whites
*University of California Davis
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
P. study was done of transfer students entering the
University of California (Davis) from Fall 1976 through Spring 1991.
"Transfers" are students who enter with at least sophomore standing
(more than 40 transfer units), are identified by undergraduate
admissions as advanceC standing, or whose source school is not a high
school. Study of transfer students' enrollment patterns found that:
(1) of new Undergraduates to Davis 38 percent were transfers;
(2) of
all Black, American Indian, Chicano and Latino students at Davis from
1976 to 1990, 36 percent were transfers; (3) transfer patterns
(4) among 1990 transfers, 70
differed only slightly by gender;
percent entered as juniors; (5) among transfers who enrolled from
1980 through 1990, 66 percent came from community colleges; and (6)
in 1990, 728 students entered with Transfer Admission Agreements.
Over all the proportion of transfer students has declined. The
proportion of non-White transfer students has grown slowly. For
graduat±on rates the study found that almost three-quarters of
transfer students earn degrees at Davis; Asian and White students
have the highest graduation rates, and thoae transferring as juniors
graduate at rates higher than those who enter as freshmen or
sophomores. The type of institution attended before transferring to
Davis did not appear to influence educational outcomes. Transfer
students were found, as were all undergraduates, to take more time to
complete degrees than in earlier years. Included are eight displays,
and seven tables. (JB)
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UCDAVIS
.
RESEARCH
SYNOPSIS
Student Affairs
Research and Information
No. 45
January 1992
ENROLLMENT AND GRADUATION PATTERNS
OF UNDERGRADUATES
TRANSFERRING
TO UC DAVIS: 1976-1991
U.S. DEPARTMENT Of EDULATION
REPRODUCE THIS
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ofiginating
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(ERIC)."
INFORMATION CENTER
RITT 1,.1110y AVAII iii r
UCDAVIS
.
RESEARCH
SYNOPSIS
Student Affairs
Research and Information
January 1992
No. 45
ENROLLMENT AND GRADUATION PATTERNS OF UNDERGRADUATES
TRANSFERRING TO UC DAVIS: 197U-1991
BACKGROUND
The California Master Plan for Higher Education envisions a complementary working relationship
between the University of California and the California Community Colleges. Unda the Plan, the
University selectively admits only the top one-eighth of California's high school graduates. Community
colleges, on the other hand, admit all adults, thus providing access to poatsecondary education for those
who cannot or choose not to enter a four-year institution after high school. Easy access to the University
by qualified undergraduates from the community colleges requires cooperation and coordination by
both systems.
In support of this transfer process, UC Davis has initiated several programs to encourage entrance into
the campus. Even before a renewed emphasis on transfer emerged from the State's recent review of
the Master Plan, UC Davis served potential transfer students through its Transfer Opportunity Program
(TOP). Initiated in 1983, TOP served as a model for the statewide system of community college transfer
centers; TOP now provides admissions advisors at 21 community colleges.
Transfer Admission A reement
specific set of courses, students can reduce the
More recently, UC Davis pioneered the use of the
time spent preparing for transfer. The campus
Transfer Admission Agreement (TM) within the
gains by enrolling students with more focused
University of California to address student com-
preparation for upper division major course work;
plaints about the lack of guidelines for course
such preparation could lead to improved student
work to be taken in preparation for transfer.
performance and reduce the time needed to
Begun in 1986 as an experiment in cooperation
complete the baccalaureate degree.
with the Los Rios Community College District,
this program now includes 54 community col-
The program increasingly accounts for a larger
leges. Students signing a Transfer Admission
share of the students transferring to UC Davis.
Agreement get this clear commitment from UC
The proportion of transfers entering with TAAs
Davis: completion of specified course work with
has increased from 16% (1987) to 35% (1990),
a required G PA guarantees admission for a par-
while their number grew almost four-fold (from
ticular quarter.
202 to 782). These increases occurred because
the campus wrote more agreements as the pro-
Transfer Admission Agreements benefit both stu-
gram moved from experiment to established
dents and the campus. By concentrating on a
ENROLLMENT PATTERNS
admission procedure. In addition, a higher pro-
portion of TM students enroll than applicants
A large proportion (38%) of new under-
admitted by other means; 72% of TAA holders
admitted in 1990 enrolled, compared with about
graduates are transfers to UC Davis-25,172
enrolled from 1976 through 1990.
45% of other advanced standing applicants.
Preliminary calculations by Undergraduate Ad-
missions indicate about 63% of all transfers
From 1976 through 1990, 2,494 Black,
American Indian, Chicano and Latino stu-
entering in Fall 1991 held Transfer Admission
dents transferred-36% of all SAA entrants.
Agreements. Two additional factors influenced
this high proportion: in 1990 the campus under-
graduate population grew more rapidly than
Transfer patterns differ only slightly by gen-
projected; in 1991 the University budget was cut.
As a result, the campus reduced the number of
der during this period: 39% of men and 36%
of women transferred.
new undergraduates (including transfers) admit-
ted but honored all existing Transfer Admission
Agreements. As undergraduate enrollment re-
sumes its gradual increase in the future, the
Among 1990 transfers, 70% entered as jun-
iors, the highest proportion to date.
campus will continue to write new agreements,
albeit on a more restricted basis.
Among transfers who enrolled from 1980
Scope of Report
through 19c10, 66% came from community
colleges.
This report describes transfers entering UC Davis
from Fall 1976 through Spring 1991. "Transfers"
In 1990, 782 (35%) students entered with
sophomore
are students who enter with at least
Transfer Admission Agreements, as have
'miffs), are iden-
standing (more than 40 trans
almost 1,800 (26%) transfers enrolled since
tified by Undergraduate Adm: _sons as advanced
standing, or whose source school is not a high
1987.
school. Students not meeting these criteria are
called "new from high school."
Transfers as a Proportion of Undergraduates
For purposes of simplified comparison, domestic
ethnic groups are aggregated as follows: Asian
Although the number of new undergraduates
(includes Chinese, East Indian/Pakistani, Fili-
entering UC Davis increased 20% from 1976
pino, Japanese, Korean, Other Asian and Pacific
through 1990, the number and proportion of
Islander students); Student Affirmative Action or
transfers declined (see Table 1). From 1976 to
SAA (includes Black, American Indian, Chicano
1981 transfers fell from 51% to 34% of entrants,
and Latino students); and White (includes stu-
dents who list Other or whose ethnicity is
and remained at or near that level through 1986
(Display 1, page following). In 1987 the transfer
unknown).
proportion dropped to 27% but has since risen
The report uses academic year (Fall through
steadily to 41% (1990). The number of trans' as
Spring quarters) totals because a substantial
increased substantially from a low of 1,279 (1987)
to 2,217 (1990)still less than the high point
proportion (20-30%) of transfers enter UC Davis
during this period of 2,282 (1976).
in Winter and Spring quarters. Unless otherwise
indicated, references to a particular year signify a
full academic year (e.g., 1989 designates Fall
1989 through Spring 1990).
4
DISPLAY 1
tion. Other Asian, a category that includes South-
The Proportion of Undergraduates
east Asian students, grew six-fold from 14 to 89
Transferring to UC Davis
(1976 and 1990 respectively). Filipino transfers
(1976-1990)
jumped from 10 to 59. Latino transfer enrollment
60%
doubled from 30 to 61, as did new Chicano
transfersfrom 53 to 108. By comparison, Black
transfers barely increased in number, going from
56 to 63 (Table 2). The small number of American
50%
Indian transfers remained relatively unchanged
until 1990 when 35 enrolled, up from 14 in 1989.
40%-
1
DISPLAY 2
I
30% 1
The Proportion of SAA and Asian
Students among Transfer*
1
(1976-1990)
CAA
50%-
"'Asia
40%-
00//0
I
I I I I I I
I
I
I I
I
I I
1
1988 1990
1984
1986
1980
1982
1978
1976
30%-
Ethnic Background
Paralleling demographic changes in California,
20%-
campus enrollment reflects growing diversity;
since 1976 the proportion of Asian and SAA (i.e.,
non-White) students among new undergradu-
ates incrbased from 15% to 38% (numaers in
1 0%-
Table 1). The proportion of non-White students
I
among transfers grew also, but at a slower pace,
III
going from 14% to 30% (see Display 2). The
proportion of Asians among transfers grew
0%
I I I
I I I I
I
1
1 1
1
steadily over the period, rising from 7% (1976) to
1986
1988
1990
1978
1982
1964
1980
1976
18% (1990). The proportion of SAA transfers
rose more slowly, going from 7% (1976) to 12%
Entering Class Level
(1990), with a high of 14% (1988). From 1976
through 1990, the combined number of Asian
As envisioned in the Master Plan, most students
and SAA transfers increased 109% (from 320 to
transfer to UC Davis as juniors (Table 3). Follow-
669) while White transfers decreased 21% (from
ing earlier declines, the proportion of transfers
1962
to 1,548). Asian transfers alone increased
,
entering as juniors increased and then leveled off
141% (from 167 to 402), while SAA transfers
during the early 1980s. Since 1986 that propor-
grew 75% (from 153 to 267).
.
tion has grown, reaching 70% in 1990the highest
proportion (Display 3, page following) and num-
Changes in the numbers of transfers from indi-
ber (1,559) to date. Junior transfers make up 29%
vidual ethnic groups (Table 2) further reveal the
of all new 1990 undergraduates.
increasing diversity of the undergraduate popula-
(1990), more than all transfers in 1989 (Table 4).
DISPLAY 3
About one in three (32%) of all 1990 entrants
The Proportion of Transfers Entering
as Juniors
came from a community college, the highest
(1976-1990)
proportion to date (Tables 1 and 4). Although a
direct causal relationship cannot be inferred,
80%
these increases coincide with expansion of the
Transfer Opportunity Program and development
70%
of the Transfer Admission Agreement program.
60% -
DISPLAY 4
The Proportion of Transfers Coming from
Community Colleges
50% -
(1980-1990)
80%
(
40%
-11
70%
60%
20% -1
10% -1
III
-
20%
0%
T
I
I
I
I
I
I
1
I
I
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
1976
-
10%
Over the period covered by this report, about
0%
1990
27% of transfers entered as sophomores, but
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
their proportion declined from 32% (1984) to 18%
Transfers from other institutions decreased both
(1990), reflecting increasing numbers of junior
relatively and absolutely from 1980 forward. In
transfers. The proportion of transfers entering as
1990, 82 transfers came from within the Univer-
freshmen fluctuated yearly, ranging from 12%
sity of California, 100 from California State
(1981) to 6% (1989). In 1990 the number of new
University (CSU) campuses, and 249 from other
freshmen transfers jumped to 226, over 10% of
schools; these 431 students comprise 19% of
all new transfers; many were Fall 1990 applicants
transfers, down from 41% in 1980.
from high schoul whose admission was deferred
and who took courses elsewhere while awaiting
entrance. From 1976 through 1990 senior trans-
GRADUATION RATES
fers declined from 6% to less than 2%.
Almost three-quarters of transfer students earn
baccalaureate degrees at UC Davis; 72% (13,236)
Source Schools of Transfers
who enrolled from 1976 through 1986 graduated
by the end of Spring 1991 (Table 5). As seen in
Recent campus efforts to attract community col-
Display 5 (page following), graduation rates in-
lege students appear successful. The proportion
creased from 67% (1976 entrants) to a peak of
of students transferring from community col-
76% (1983) and leveled off at 74% (1985 and
legesabout 60% from 1981
through
1986 entrants). Graduation rates for those enroll-
1986increased sharply in 1987 and reached a
ing in 1986 and subsequent years will continue to
high of 78% in 1990 (Display 4). The number of
grow as enrolled and returning students com-
community college transfers increased from 867
plete degrees.
(1987) to an unprecedented 1,740 students
DISPLAY 6
DISPLAY 5
Graduation Rates of SAA Transfers
Graduation Rates of Transfers
Enrolling 1976-1986
Enrolling 1976-1986
(as of Spring 1991)
(as of Spring 1991)
80%
80% H
70%
70%
-1
60% -
60% -I
50%
50%
40%
40%
30%
30%
-1
20%
20%
1
10%
10%
111T111111
1111111111
0%
0%
1984
1988
1980
1902
1978
1978
1988
1984
1982
1980
1978
1978
Graduation Rates by Level at Entrance
Asian am: White transfer students graduate at
rates at or above those for all transfers; 75% of
Among students transferring to UC Davis as
A sian and 74% of White transfers antering from
juniors from 1978 through 1986, 77% graduated
1976 through 1986 graduated by the end of
by the end of Spring 1991; their graduation rates
Spring 1991. By comparison, only 35% of SM
vary over the period, reaching a peak of 82% for
students graduated during this period, at rates
1983 entrants (Display 7, page following). Junior
12-22 percentage points below those for all trans-
transfers graduate at substantially higher rates
fers (Table 5 and Displays 5 and 6). But graduation
than freshman (53%) and sophomore (68%) trans-
rates for SAA transfers have improved among
fers and those who enter directlyfrom high school
(1976
more recent entrants, going from 47%
(69%). Junior level transfers already have a sub-
entrants) to 63% (1984).
stantial investment in their education when they
enter and are probably more mature than stu-
Past studies indicate a relationship between
dents with less college experience.
graduation rates and academic preparation prior
to transfer. The Transfer Admission Agreement
Students new from high school who persist 7 or
work
program allows campus representatives to
more quarters (to approximately junior level)
to
more closely with students prior to entrance
graduate at even higher rates (87% to 90%) than
encourage adequate preparation for upper divi-
junior level transfers. This difference is not unex-
sion studies; but it is still too early in the program
pected; students who persist to the junior level
to determine if TAA students are better prepared
have already adjusted to the unique academic
and if they graduate at higher rates than their
and social environments of UC Davis and have
non-TM peers.
probably formed strong personal ties to the cam-
pus; those who did not have probably already left.
DISPLAY 8
DISPLAY 7
Graduation Rates by Source School:
Graduation Rates of Junior Transfers
Transfers Enrolling
Enrolling
1980-1986
1976-1986
(as of Spring 1991)
(as of Spring 1991)
100%
I
90% -1
CSU
UC
CCC
90%
80% -I
70% -
60% -1
50%
40% -1
30%
-I
20%1
10% -
%
i
I
I I
I
I
I
I
I
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
1976
1986
1984
1982
1980
Graduation Rates by Source Schoc'
Time to Dem
For most students, the type of institution attended
before transferring to UC Davis does not appear
Transfer students, similar to all undergraduates,
to influence educational outcomes. Examined by
UC
are taking more time to complete degrees at
type of source school, graduation rates fluctuate
Davis. Time to legree increased for transfers at
relative to each other but differ little over longer
all entry levels, freshman through senior. Among
periods of time (Display 8). Among transfers
the graduates from the 1986 transfer cohort, 22%
entering from 1980 through 1986, 75% of those
took more than 9 quarters to earn degrees, com-
transferring from UC or CSU campuses had
pared with 15% of those who transferred in 1976.
graduated by the end of Spring 1991, 74% from
This increase affects both students and the cam-
CCC campuses and 72% from other schools.
pus; the longer it takes students to graduate, the
SAA transfers from community colleges gradu-
more personal and institutional resources that
ated at a rate slightly above those from other
are expended.
institutions (58% vs. 56%).
Commission, September 1989). Yet, In 1990 only
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
12% of community college transfers to UC Davis
were SAA students. Although not everyone who
Although UC Davis continues to develop pro-
enters a community college Intends to transfer,
transfer
grams and policies to enroll more
many SM students might transfer if encouraged
students, external pressures influence continued
and assisted. To this end, UC Davis is participat-
success. Currently, the University of California
ing in the Cooperative Outreach Transfer project,
faces increasing numbers of both high school
a statewide experiment designed to provide fol-
and transfer applicants. These increases come
low-up services to former participants of the UC
prevent
a time when budget constraints may
Early Academic Outreach program who enroll in
expansion of the UC system, thereby threatening
r."Nnimunity colleges. In Spring 1992, UC Davis
its capability to provide a space for every eligible
and the Los Rios Community College District will
student.
implement the first stages of this pieject.
Although the recently-enacted Hart transfer bill
(S3121) directs the University to give priority
METHODOLOGY
consideration to students transferring from com-
munity colleges, it is too early to project what
Unless otherwise noted, data presented here
effects it will have on enrollment practices during
come from the Composite Undergraduate File
the present fiscal crisis. (An analysis of SB121,
(CUF), a longitudinal database of undergradu-
prepared by the California Postsecondary Edu-
ates enrolled at UC Davis since 1966 and updated
cation Commission, is available from Student
from Student Record System files through Spring
Affairs Research and Information.)
1991. Data presented here may differ from those
reported in Enrollment and Graduation of Under-
Despite these obstacles, the potential exists for
graduates Transferring to UC Davis: 1976-1989
the campus to increase SAA transfer enrollment.
(February 1990) because minor corrections have
About 27% of the high school graduates entering
been made to the data base, Filipinos are no
community colleges in 1988 were SM students
longer included in SM data and some students
(California College Going Rates Fall 1988 Up-
have since graduated or left.
California Postsecondary EducAon
,
TABLES
TABLE 1
UC Davis Academic Year Totals-Transfers and All New Undergraduates
by ethnicity and gender
SAA'
Asian
White
Total
Year
it
e
transfersnlen
all
all
transfers
transferMs en
transfers
all
transfers transfers
all
afl
2,229
2,272
1,073
1,209
3,807
1,982
374
167
2,282
320
1976-77
4,501
153
958 2,083
2,042
3,362 938
1,547
422
4,125
172
1,896
177
1977-78
341
954
2,177
2,132
960
3,459
1,568
468
4,309
382
1,914
180
1978-79
166
2,475
962
2,153
903
3,765
4,628
1,581
372
133
1,865
491
1979-80
151
2,546
918
2,253
827
3,864
1,434
156
4,799
376
559
155
1,745
1980-81
2,289
1,864
760
3,233
1,139
651
498
120
422
4,153
152
1981-82
1,411
664
2,198
744
1,727
2,912
605
1,105
178
3,925
408
1982-83
1,408
125
707
1,793 2,049
686
2,886
1,109
3,842
182
102
345
611
1983-84
1,393
744
773 2,206 2,324
3,273
1,146
207
436
4,530
164
821
1984-85
1,517
712
1,939
2,272
2,932
760
1,080
224
476
803
1,472
4,211
168
1985-86
2,057
737
1,890
2,668
714
1,089
218
450 829
3,947
1,447
140
1986-87
2,278
2,496
625
654
213
1,119
3,161
494
911
4,774
155
1,279
1987-88
2,389
852
3,168 772
2,691
1,128
268
1,265
5,080
228 647
1,624
1988-89
2.498
2,329
873
829
3,045
1,208
1,077
285
705
209
4,827
1,702
1989-90
2,557
2,839
1,164
3,354
1,053
1,548
402
5,396
2,217
1,281
267
761
1990-91
'SAA includes American Indian, Black, Chicano and Latino.
TABLE 2
ansfers
UC Davis Academic Year Totals-All New Tr
by ethnicity
White
Latino/
East
Chicano/
Black/
and
Spanish
Pacific
Japanese
Other
Korean
Indian/
Filipino/
Chinese
American African
Mexican
killgia kin
Islander Unknown
Ar_atriag
Anwian &aqua
AmericaR
Total
Pilipino
ladian Amiga
Year
PAKtImi
1,962
0
30
14
5
10
56
5
77
53
2,282
56
14
1976-77
1,547
3
39
19
7
6
56
68
13
22
55
1,896
1977-78
61
4
43
1,568
23
6
49
12
43
6
80
19
1,914
1978-79
61
0
20
25
1,581
8
4 45
16
47
58
10
1,865
1979-80
51
...
1,434
0
34 23
10
63
14
55
2
49
1,745
1980-81
44
4
1,139
35
22
44
18
4
45
19
53
19
1981-82
1,411
4
1,105
45
33
40
19
48
2
57
30
11
1,408
14
1982-83
1,109
32
34
14
47
13
3
72
25
34
9
1,393
1983-84
1
1,146
33 40
2
27
15
39
75
9
65
10
1,517
56
1984-85
2
1,080
43
36
49
14
85
7
50
31
1,472
14
61
1985-86
4
1,089
45
35
16
33
36
76
49
44
8
12
1,447
1986-87
3
47
911
58
27
15
29
72
9
57
38
13
1,279
1987-88
42
1,128
3
83
42
9
76
14
104
23
59
41
1,624
1988-89
1,208
8
68
50
24
32
107 36
90
1,702
10
55
14
1989-90
1,548
89
5
36
59
45
24
61
144
35 63
2,217
108
1990-91