R. J. Simas
Office of Institutional Research — Matriculation
21 Jan 05

Background

The original request for the aggregate demographic profile information was made for "all SCC students on AFDC/TANF." The College does not have access to that information, which is in the purview of the Solano County Health and Social Services Department. The only information the College collects on AFDC/TANF status is when students apply for waiver of the enrollment fees through SCC’s Financial Aid Office. This Office identifies waivers granted based on the applicant’s qualifications.

Number of Students Enrolling at SCC for Credit Who Were Approved for BoGG Fee Waivers

Findings

• Demographics
• Academic Level
• Matriculation Status
• Academic Major
• Probation Status

• Academic Progress
  Cross Tabulation, by Category, of Semester Units Attempted with Semester Units Completed
  Descriptive Statistics
  Distribution of UA, UC, & GPA

• Services Received

Conclusion

The students who were approved for BoGG A1/A2/A3 during Fall 2003 or Spring 2004 terms cover the demographic spectrum, representing a wide range of academic background and achievement. A crucial issue appears to be the first-term success/failure of this group of students. While thirty percent of students whose first term was Fall 03 or Spring 04 attempted no units during this term, almost half of these students completed no units. One quarter of these students are on probation and half of those are more than first term probation. Therefore, academic success seems to be the major issue facing this target group of students and those SCC offices and staff who serve them.

A possible approach to addressing these issues could be the institution of an aggressive program of student tracking and early intervention. The Matriculation Program itself is ineffective in contacting and serving these students since the large majority (65%) are exempted from participation in this program — most on the basis of taking fewer than 6 non-exempt units during their initial term at Solano (the point when a student’s matriculation status is determined). Missing the Matriculation Program’s required assessment of basic skills, orientation to college and consultation with a counselor, non-matriculated students begin their experience at Solano essentially "on their own," without the information and advise that, for many, could make the difference between academic success and failure.

Annual follow-up reports on new BoGG A1/A2/A3 students should be undertaken in order to monitor the impact of any changes made to address the academic success of this target group. The data from this report could be used as the baseline from which to measure.

Office of Research and Planning
Robert J. Simas, Director