Savannah State University Campus Plan Update 2017

Institutional Mission and Student Body Profile

Savannah State University, the oldest public historically black university in the State of Georgia, develops productive members of a global society through high quality instruction, scholarship, research, service and community involvement. The University fosters engaged learning and personal growth in a student-centered environment that celebrates the African American legacy while nurturing a diverse student body. Savannah State University offers graduate and undergraduate studies including nationally accredited programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions.

Underprepared Students

The university has stayed the course in its long history of service to students who are not college ready. In Fall 2016, 550 students benefitted from developmental education (foundation or co-requisite courses) in their first year of college matriculation.

Students Registered in Learning Support Courses

Financial Aid

The student body, however, continues to consist of a significant proportion of first generation learners and of students with great financial need. The overwhelming majority, of SSU students receive some form of financial aid. For the 2016 academic year, 75.4% of the entering class was PELL eligible.

Students on Financial Aid as % of Fall Undergrads

Six-Year Graduation Rates: within SSU versus USG State University Average

As an access institution, SSU is authorized to admit individuals requiring learning support to transition towards completion of a four-year degree program. These are students who have not satisfied state university SAT/ACT entrance requirements. Such students took co-requisite remediation or foundation courses based on their English Placement Index (EPI) or Math Placement Index (MPI) scores. In Fall 2016, these underprepared students comprised 61.9% of the entering class. In 2012, these University College students were retained at a lower rate than the overall cohort. However, when looking at the 2013 cohort and beyond, University College students are being retained at a level consistent with traditional students.

Percentage of First-time/Full-time Entering Class Retention by Admit Type

Associate Degree Initiative

During the Fall semester of 2017, the Access to Success Program (formerly referred to University College) was implemented.  It is the initial home of students who enter the university under the access portion of our mission.  Based on an agreement with the University System of Georgia office, the students who have not achieved the state university minimum SAT or ACT score, are required to enter this program. After the first year (30 credits earned), these students are evaluated for transition into a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree track.   It is headed by the new Director of Retention and Access to Success Programs.  Although the students are provided with the Associate degree option, they strongly encouraged to pursue the Bachelor’s degree.

Summary of Goals

It should be noted, however, that SSU continues to produce high-achieving students who, once they complete their degree, go into the workforce, graduate school, law school, medical school and beyond. Graduation exit survey results from Spring 2016 indicate that 48.32% of graduates were entering the workforce in either the public or private sector upon graduation. An additional 27.53% are pursuing full-time graduate study.

Goal One:  Increase the total number of students applying for graduation each academic year when eligible.

Measure of Success: Increase in the number of undergraduate students who are awarded degrees each academic year.

Additional information on grad rates:

• The 4-yr grad rate has increased over prior years (see charts below)

First-time/Full-time Entering Class Graduation Rate by Admit Type

Compared to prior 4-yr grad rates:

The increase is encouraging and we expect to continue on this track as our reorganization of the Center for Academic Success is implemented and the Office of Retention and Access to Success continues to grow.

Goal Two:  Increase the number of students who are able to re-direct a high number of credits in varying subject areas to a four-year degree

There are no updates at this time for the current academic year.  However, the Interdisciplinary Studies major (IDS) will continue as an alternative to completion for students who may have a shift in interest during their matriculation at SSU.

Goal Three:  Decrease the number of students who are unable to complete their degree due to financial difficulties in their final year.

Analysis is incomplete at this time.

Goal Four: Increase first- and second-year retention rates through high-touch academic Advising and Mentoring

Measures of Success: Increased student retention at the end of the first and second year.

Goal Five:  Increase the number of alternatives to earning a Four-Year degree

The discussion above outlines the progress and the initiatives that will continue to benefit the university and our students.