Tarleton student-athlete graduation rates score higher than traditional students
Jim Looby
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
Tarleton Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach Lonn Reisman said Tarleton athletes may have a higher graduation rate because "virtually every one of our programs require a mandatory study hall."
"A lot of times students, especially freshmen and sophomores fresh out of high school, don't have a lot of organizational skills," Reisman said. "The tutoring program helps them learn how to learn."
Student-athletes are required to attend study hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and the penalty for not attending is dismissal from the student's respective athletic program.
Chris Johnson, a former Tarleton football player who graduated this year, said the tutors were a big help.
"We had personal tutors and if you were good enough you would get full scholarships depending on how well you played" says Johnson.
Another athlete said the coaches encourage players to sit near the front of classroom.
"The coaches encourage us to sit as close as we can to the front," said sophomore athlete, Dustin Hughes. "They want us to get to know our professors and stay focused throughout the semester."
The two highest percentages of Tarleton graduates come from baseball athletes, who have a 92 percent rate, and women's track athletes, who have an 80 percent rate.
The 45.8 percent graduation rate for non-athlete students takes into account only those students who enroll at Tarleton as first-time freshman and complete a four-year degree within the following six years.
Tarleton administration is trying to increase that percentage by implementing retention strategies.
"There are several programs targeted at freshmen and sophomores to increase retention," said Snider.
"The Supplemental Instruction Programs were set in place for those classes where students were having the most trouble," he said. "Also, the student orientation programs we have in the summer help in acclimating new students to our campus and to the Tarleton family. "
"A lot of times students, especially freshmen and sophomores fresh out of high school, don't have a lot of organizational skills," Reisman said. "The tutoring program helps them learn how to learn."
Student-athletes are required to attend study hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and the penalty for not attending is dismissal from the student's respective athletic program.
Chris Johnson, a former Tarleton football player who graduated this year, said the tutors were a big help.
"We had personal tutors and if you were good enough you would get full scholarships depending on how well you played" says Johnson.
Another athlete said the coaches encourage players to sit near the front of classroom.
"The coaches encourage us to sit as close as we can to the front," said sophomore athlete, Dustin Hughes. "They want us to get to know our professors and stay focused throughout the semester."
The two highest percentages of Tarleton graduates come from baseball athletes, who have a 92 percent rate, and women's track athletes, who have an 80 percent rate.
The 45.8 percent graduation rate for non-athlete students takes into account only those students who enroll at Tarleton as first-time freshman and complete a four-year degree within the following six years.
Tarleton administration is trying to increase that percentage by implementing retention strategies.
"There are several programs targeted at freshmen and sophomores to increase retention," said Snider.
"The Supplemental Instruction Programs were set in place for those classes where students were having the most trouble," he said. "Also, the student orientation programs we have in the summer help in acclimating new students to our campus and to the Tarleton family. "
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