Is the four−year college career on the way out?

A recent study conducted by the American Enterprise Institute found that only 37 percent of full−time undergraduate students graduate within four years. Cuts in school budgets, rising nationwide admissions, soaring tuition rates and a badly wounded economy have combined to make the traditional four−year path to graduation a thing of the past for many students.

The study found that the most selective schools are more likely to see their students graduate within four years. This holds true at Tufts, where rates of graduation within four years have remained fairly constant at around 85 percent for the past decade.

James Glaser, dean of academic affairs for arts and sciences, credits students first and foremost for Tufts' record of graduation success.

"Students who come to Tufts, an elite private school, from the beginning have a high level of academic preparation and proven academic performance records," Glaser said. "By virtue of the fact that we have such fine students who come here, they are going to finish here."

Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Lee Coffin said that the study's findings might be misleading because of its large scope.

"The 37 percent statistic takes into account every kind of university in the country," he said. "Many of these places have open admissions policies and do not have the ability to assess the preparation of the students or choose the most academically qualified students."

Glaser also stressed the availability and usefulness of Tufts' academic resources, which are intended to assist students who may be struggling with busy schedules.

"We've put in place support systems to help students through the undergraduate experience," he said. We monitor every student's progress and provide people to talk to and resources for students who have challenges completing graduation requirements."

While high graduation rates are one component of Tufts' reputation, the school's goal is to graduate all of its students in six years, not necessarily four, Glaser said.

"We like to give students a little bit of flexibility," Glaser said. "If they take a few extra semesters, it doesn't worry us. If they're taking longer than six years, then that's a problem. We need to work with them to get them across the finish line."

In order to combat falling four−year graduation rates, Tufts puts an extra emphasis on support systems for freshmen, Coffin said.

"We give students a very strong foundation from the beginning," he said. "We are privileged to be able to place students in a small advising group where they can spend time with faculty members and peer leaders one−on−one. We have an advantage in scale where we can track kids in an individualized way, unlike bigger institutions."

Many universities have had to deal with slashed budgets during the recent recession, which forced them to downsize financial aid programs, course offerings and faculty, making it more difficult for students to afford tuition and fulfill graduation requirements. However, Tufts was able to maintain, and even increase, its graduation track record over the past few years.

The success is a testament to the administration's dedication to its students, according to Director of Public Relations Kim Thurler.

"The belt−tightening that was done at Tufts was deliberately done in such a way as to minimize impact on students," Thurler said in an e−mail to the Daily. This meant making cuts in salary increases for faculty and staff while increasing the financial aid budget, she said.

"We did this so that we could meet the greater financial need among students and families and ensure that students were able to continue their education," Thurler said.

According to Coffin, the most frequently cited reasons for students' failure to graduate on time are related to financial concerns. Many students, unable to afford the full price of tuition, take part−time jobs to supplement their income, making it difficult to carry a full course load. But Tufts' strong financial aid program gives students the resources and the flexibility to complete requirements and graduate on time, he said.

"We are committed to meeting the full need of any student on aid or any student who finds him or herself in need of aid, and that is a very unique and underappreciated policy," Coffin said. "Some students may choose to get side jobs, but we aren't forcing students into the type of situation where they have to work."

Instead, the small percentage of Tufts students who fail to graduate on time is comprised mostly of students who transferred to other institutions, finding that Tufts was not a good fit for personal reasons, Coffin said. Others take time off for personal leave, illness or travel, he said.

Nick Pendry−Aber, a senior, was scheduled to graduate in May until graduation requirements got in the way. After spending a few semesters trying out different majors, Pendry−Aber said that by his junior year, he was forced to choose between spending a semester abroad in Spain and graduating on time.

"Studying abroad is this amazing opportunity that is an integral part of the college experience," he said. "So the decision was easy. I didn't want to regret missing out on that experience."

Though he wishes Tufts had been more flexible in accepting the transfer credits that he earned while studying abroad, Pendry−Aber does not regret his decision to spend an extra semester at college after returning from Spain.

"I had a great experience in Spain, and I get to be in college another semester," he said. "I might not have been completely ready to leave before, but after this semester, I'm definitely more motivated to get out and get my life started."