SMC Student-Athletes Graduation Rate Among Top In State
11/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
MORAGA, Calif. – Student-Athletes at Saint Mary's College graduate at the third-highest success rate among all Division I institutions in the state of California, according to figures released this week by the NCAA.
"Our student-athletes are achieving tremendous academic success and that shows over the past six years, as Saint Mary's has maintained at least a 90 percent GSR over that span," Director of Athletics and Recreation Mark Orr said. "Our success is reflective of the commitment of the College's coaches, faculty and academic support staff that contributes greatly to the academic experience of our students."
Saint Mary's student-athletes that entered the College in the fall of 2009 graduated at a rate of 92 percent according to the GSR, which includes transfer students and student-athletes who leave in good academic standing, unlike the federal graduation rate, which does not count transfers. The GSR and federal rate calculations measure graduation over six years from first-time college enrollment.
The SMC golf, men's tennis, women's cross country/track, softball and volleyball each registered the highest GSR among the 10 WCC institutions. All six of those teams recorded perfect 100 percent rates.
Stanford University is the state leader in GSR, graduating 98 percent of its student-athletes in that 2008-09 cohort. The Division I average GSR is 84 percent.
GSR was created in 1995 in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted a rate that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students than the federal graduation rate.
The GSR formula, intended to be a more complete and accurate look at student-athlete success, removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initial enrollment elsewhere.
Supporting student-athlete success in the classroom is at the heart of our Association, and today's announcement shows progress toward that goal that is nothing short of remarkable," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "We are delighted to see a record percentage of student-athletes achieve graduation, the ultimate goal of entering college."
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