Will You Graduate In Four Years?

By: Jared Dixon

ALBANY, NY, Dec. 5, 2007— Will you graduate in four years? This is a question that is asked in the average student’s head everyday. Currently, about 63 percent of American students spend more than four years in school to receive their undergraduate degree, according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. This very impressive issue seems to be the underlying fear that motivates students to stress and study in the late hours of the night.

There are an entire slew of problems that can result in the fifth year senior, whether it be non-transferable credits, uncertainty of one’s major, or lack of knowledge on required courses, graduating in four years is a major issue for today’s college student.

Patrick Lavey a sophomore who entered The College of Saint Rose as a studio art major states, “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with art, I just knew I wanted to be an artist. It seemed like the logical choice.” However, Lavey like many other students decided he would best work in another major: Graphic Design. “I can’t switch to Graphic Design without paying for a fifth year at school, the classes I need are only required certain semesters which makes it impossible to finish the sequences by the time I need to graduate.”

When approached about the size of class room size, K. Michael Mathews an Associate Professor for Business explains it as a result from the college going under a “considerable growth” over the past few years.

“It’s a good problem to have, and there’s no perfect way to deal with it…the college has done a pretty good job dealing with it.”

Director of Academic Advisement, Marian Adomakoh had this to say about the availability of courses and class room size, “I can understand the complaints of the lack of room in classes, this is an issue that faculty is trying to find a way around.” Adomakoh also had something to say on choosing a major “You need to talk to fellow students in prospective majors, and their professors to get the big picture, it is also important for the student to self-assess themselves, the career center is an excellent source to help with this.”

Transfer students also run into an acute credit problem when coming to Saint Rose. Although Saint Rose has a firm relationship with many other colleges, some students have difficulty transferring their credits and result in a fifth year. J.G. Braga, a transfer student from Siena, had issues with administrative help when transferring several credits.

“At first it seemed to be that my classes would only fulfill an elective purpose rather than required courses for my major. I really had to push to higher faculty members, and show them the course descriptions to transfer the credits as required courses.”

When approached about the subject of college transfers Adomakoh said that The Saint Rose has a set “standard” that these classes have to meet, and that many students have a “lack of understanding” for the process of transferable credits.

Transfer students, and students who are unsure of their major are not the only ones who can run into problems with graduating in four years. Some students have problems with their advisors as well. Julie Steel, a Saint Rose sophomore, said that issues with her academic advisor resulted in her taking summer classes at a community college. Steel claims her advisor had her register for classes she didn’t have pre-requisites for, so she was then put into courses too high of a level for her to continue. Now she says simply that she’s “behind.”

Is our advisement process the best it can be? Kris Wildermuth a transfer student said that Saint Rose advisement is different, and less efficient for graduating on time than the previous community college he attended.

“The advisors there were only advisors that (was) their sole job, it was easier to get into classes because you went to the meetings and they put you into the classes instead of registering online like we do here.”

This problem of advisement is not lost on the student body. Nick Ogden, a senior, agrees with having paid advisors to register classes. “Maybe I wouldn’t have been locked out of a class my senior year. I need it to graduate.”

Adomakoh had this to say about the adequacy of advisement, and course registering system.

“Many students do not show initiative and want to be spoon-fed; this information is readily available and is explained at orientation and presentations during the semester.” Adomakoh however states not all students have problems with this process. “There are excellent students who are organized, and simply need reinforcement from their advisors.”

Although resentful about class availability Lavey also said that not all students are dissatisfied with their advisors “My advisor, Paul Mauren, really does all he can to help me. I understand the problems I have with requirements are out of his control.”

Although this issue of graduating in four years has haunted colleges for years, and looks to still be haunting them for years to come, Saint Rose has a plan to deal with it. Jeremy Bogan, Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions, said that within the next five years the college plans on hiring more faculty members, and will “think outside the box” to create more space on campus. As far as Advisement is concerned, Adamakoh has a statement directed to her fellow colleagues and attending students; “We can always improve.”