PhD thesis,
The persistence of community college transfers in selected private colleges in Michigan
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, PhD Thesis, (1991)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify those variables which influence college satisfaction and impact upon the attrition patterns of community college transfers at two urban, private colleges. The students included in the sample were a mix of 240 matriculated and nonmatriculated students for fall 1988, winter 1989 and fall 1989. The Student Reactions to College Survey Instrument was mailed to two groups of students from each institution: community college transfers and students whose first college was a four-year, private college. A thirty five percent return rate was achieved. This was a descriptive study which enabled the researcher to develop a profile of the subjects in the sample. The data analysis allowed both a within institution comparison of the subjects and a between institution comparison. The dependent variable in this research was student satisfaction with college. The impact of the dependent variable on the attrition patterns of the subjects was ascertained through the analysis of the responses to the Student Reactions to College Survey Instrument. The analysis yielded several group differences. Major differences exist between community college transfers and students whose first college was a private, four-year college. Differences exist on the dimension of demographic characteristics, work habits, satisfaction with college and attrition patterns. The findings further noted that Blacks are more likely to have attended a community college than Nonblacks. There is a definite correlation between race and attrition at a community college.
