Graduation rate determined by more than just grades

What effect does graduating in four years rather than five years have on Viterbo's student body? According to Wayne Wojciechowski, assistant academic VP/ADA coordinator, it ultimately has no effect on Viterbo's overall 1,600 undergraduates. There can be problems financially and personally in completing Viterbo's goal of graduating in four years compared to five, he said.

     In order to graduate in four years at Viterbo, students must take an average of 16 credits a semester. Wojcieshowski said that can be a lot of credits, especially for freshmen. His advice is to "get your feet on the ground. Start off low, and then build on that." He said he advises incoming freshman to take 12-14 credits and see how that goes for them. If they can handle that, take more.

     "Viterbo University maintains a strong commitment to providing financial aid to students with need, to ensure access and affordability to a Viterbo education," Todd Ericson, vice-president of finance, said. "If students require additional semesters to graduate, Viterbo has continued to meet that commitment, which does require a greater allocation of financial aid resources in the University's budget.

     According to Viterbo's homepage, 97 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid, Viterbo offers more than 100 scholarship funds and an array of aid packages, and average financial aid need met is 86 percent.

     Even with the help of financial aid, students and families are striving to keep costs down by graduating in four years. But more prescribed programs, such as nursing, dietetics, and elementary education, make it harder for students to complete their education in four years.

     Wojcieshowski said these programs not only have to meet the requirements of the institution, but also the state since they are making the licensure programs, their programs less flexible. Transfer students have a harder time catching up if they decide to jump into any of the three programs, Wojcieshowski said.

    Nursing allows 88 spots in the sophomore years due to clinicals, said Wojcieshowski. "Sometimes, even though students meet the qualifications, there are not enough spots. Some [sophomores] have to repeat. In their second time around, they may get a higher standing, but that may eliminate some spots for the freshmen, which pushes them back a year."

     "Many students take time out from the university to become more focused and serious about their studies, to be able to afford college, due to illness, due to personal and family issues," Barbara Gayle, academic vice president, said. "There are a lot of different reasons," Wojcieshowski said.

     "Other reasons could include study abroad semesters, transfer credits, stressful semesters, and switching of majors," Wojcieshowski said. "There are two ways to weigh your education, financially and personally. Therefore, students must decide if the value of keeping costs down outweighs the value of an education." Wojcieshowski said that a college education is an investment. "Add a semester if it makes you more marketable. It should be ‘Here's what I have to offer,' rather than, ‘I have a degree.'"

     Semesters can be stressful when students are trying to graduate in four years, especially for students who are playing catch-up after switching majors. Kathleen Shannon, senior English major from Guttenberg, Iowa, switched from a nursing major to an English major after two years.