A comparison of first-time, full-time freshman student retention levels at community colleges with respect to a freshman orientation course

This study examines if the presence of a Freshman Orientation Course (FOC) has a significant influence on retention rates of first-time, full-time freshman students. A nationwide survey was administered to 300 Chief Academic Officers. Respondent information indicated ranges of institutional enrollment from 641 to 80,000; first-time, full-time freshman student enrollment from 78 to 12,000; percent retention of the first-time, full-time freshman student from freshman year to sophomore year from 25% to 87% (M = 56.36); percent retention to graduation from 3% to 98% (M = 32.87); the first-time, full-time freshman student average median age is 23 and the average GPA is M = 2.56. The survey consists of questions pertinent to student retention at the community college and perceived institutional rationale for offering a FOC.;To test the hypotheses a point biserial correlation coefficient ( rpb) was used of sub-problems one through five and a t-test for sub-problem six. In relation to the FOC: sub-problem one and two addressed retention rates from freshman year to sophomore year and enrollment requirements; sub-problem three addressed institutional enrollment figures; sub-problem four and five addressed student age and GPA and FOC enrollment requirements; sub-problem six addressed the comparison of the mean scores between institutions that do and do not offer a FOC. A Likert scale item responses identified perceived institution rationale for offering a FOC. A .05 level of significance was utilized.;In the test of the hypotheses, the rpb revealed no significant relationship and the t-test reveled no significant difference failing to reject the null hypotheses, except for one item. One significant difference between the groups was in relation to Likert item ‘Introduce Campus Resources’ (p = .05). Likert scale responses indicate similar rationale between institutions that do and do not offer the FOC. The majority of the results are not statically significant; however, the FOC is supported on many campuses.