An examination of the relationship between freshmen retention and selected student services variables at three private historically black colleges and universities

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between freshmen retention and selected student services in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A review of literature revealed that studentu27s perceptions of student services are related to studentu27s involvement in the academic and social systems of the college, which are closely and strongly linked to student retention. The results from this study will help student servicesu27 administrators to effectively lead HBCUs in their retention efforts.This study utilized quantitative methods to determine the relationships between freshmen retention and student services. Questionnaires were administered to 2000 students enrolled in freshmen orientation classes at the sampled institutions, 1014 were returned correctly. The dependent and independent variables were analyzed using Pearson Correlation coefficient and Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) statistical tools. The 0.05 level of significance was used to test the null hypotheses.The following are the findings of this study: 1. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and enrollment management. 2. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and financial assistance. 3. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and residence life. 4. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and extracurricular activities. 5. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and counseling services. 6. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and academic support services. 7. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and enrollment management in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status. 8. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and financial assistance in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status. 9. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and residence life in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status. 10. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and extracurricular activities in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status. 11. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and counseling services in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status. 12. There is a significant relationship between freshmen retention and academic support services in terms of (a) gender, (b) institution type, and (c) socioeconomic status.