A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute notes “fewer than 60 percent of students graduated from four-year colleges within six years.” That number is too high, said Dr. John Feaver, president of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Feaver thinks more than 60 percent of area college students graduate within six years.

“With two comprehensive research doctorals, regional institutions and two-year community colleges, the lowest graduation rate is among community colleges because the student population has wide motives for going to school and many don’t intend to earn a degree.”

Still, Feaver does not discount the need to focus on student retention. Not in the least. USAO is, in fact, taking steps to make sure retention is improved.

To focus on student retention, USAO is reorganizing itself administratively.

“Enrollment management is responsible for contacting potential students, recruiting students, orienting and advising students and for overseeing counseling of students through to graduation from part A to part Z,” Feaver said. “A lot of kids are coming here because their families, who historically looked to private institutions, are looking at public schools because of the lower costs. But they expect the same services and for us to look after their youngsters and that’s what we’re doing.”

Feaver said he thinks most students appreciate being looked after.

“It adds to their success,” he said. “I think they appreciate that we’re interested in their success and that we provide support when they need it. I look on success in the classroom as a return on an investment.”

The report states: “While student motivation, intent and ability matter greatly when it comes to college completion, our analysis suggests that the practices of higher education institutions matter, too.”

Feaver said USAO historically did not have a good graduation rate because of it’s liberal arts mission.

“Students came because it was nearby,” said Feaver. “They needed a community college or a regional institution like Cameron in Lawton or Southwestern in Weatherford for specialized degrees and were disappointed with liberal arts.”



Graduation rates were historically low, at about 30 to 40 percent, but they are now climbing into the 40 percent range consistently.”

Feaver said USAO has raised its academic standards and that liberal arts colleges provide “a broad-scale education rather than specialized degree programs.”

“We can’t compete with two-year colleges,” he said