MSUM aims to boost its graduation rates after low mark
December 11, 2010 at 6:00 pm in INFORUM
Edna Szymanski takes it personally if a student doesn’t graduate.
The Minnesota State University Moorhead president appointed a task force to find out why the university’s graduation rate is lower than the rate at similar schools. Continue Reading

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Now that I find out MSUM has a much lower graduation rate then NDSU and Concordia, I’m thinking maybe hockey wouldn’t be such a bad fit. It would fall in line with problems that UND has had for years. Maybe Judy’s could open a bar in Moorhead for the underage players to drink at.
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Based on my own experience teaching at various colleges, do you think it may be lax admission policies (everyone deserves to get in) or the lack of preparation in high school (remedial courses anyone?). It is time to get over the idea that this is Lake Woebegon and all children are above average; and start cracking down on both student preparation at the high school level and lax admission standards at colleges.
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Fisherperson,
Lax admissions definitely has something to do with it. I am in total agreement with you. A lot of students who are in college shouldn’t be there. By raising admission standards, we could decrease the time required to graduate and keep unsuccessful students out of debt.
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I know people, successful students mind you, who got into UND with 16′s and 17′s on their ACT’s. Having a low bar isn’t unique to MSUM.
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Mgraalum,
I too know students who didn’t do well on the ACT and they graduated from college with honors. However, they had a strong motivation to achieve, were high in self-control, had more work experience than the average student, and were more certain about their career goals. Obviously, these students are an exception and most students who do not do well on the ACT or SAT most likely do not have these qualities. If students do not have these qualities, they are less likely to graduate or graduate within a reasonable amount of time. In order to groom these qualities they may need to spend a little more time working or taking courses at a community college. Work experience would give them more time reflect on a career and pursuing credits at a community college would give them some idea what a 4 year school is like. Plus, a community college is cheaper and general credits can be transfered.
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My suggestion is to contact a student as soon as they fail to register for their next semester and determine whether they are quitting or transferring and ask them why. Haven’t other schools around the country compiled this information already?
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Just follow they money, that’s all the education cabal cares about. Educating is secondary.
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Yes Kevin. Finding out why students aren’t graduating in a timely manner and finding more efficient ways to get them to graduate sooner (thus reducing their debts) is a really bad thing. (that’s sarcasm for those who didn’t pay attention in English class).
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Kevin, don’t you like ANYTHING? I went to Moorhead State, dropped out, went back and did very well because I was older and (finally) more mature. I loved it. I saw my advisor for my major at the school in summers, on weekends, and over holiday breaks.
I’m beginning to think you were neglected when you were little. Why else would you never find anything good in any article or about any subject?
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are there any photos of Edna where she doesn’t look stoned?
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LMAO~!
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