ACTION PLAN - University of Ulster

Methodology:
The historical 14 th class day files were queried for all beginning freshmen students from
each term. Additional data was also queried in order to categorize each student as they
appeared in their first semester at ULM (i.e., ethnic origin, gender, act score, high school
graduation year, enrolled hours, etc.). These students were then compared to the
following fall semester 14 th class day file in order to establish continuing enrollment. All
designations, except full or part time status, remained with the status upon the student’s
initial entry at ULM. The overall intention was to compare students who entered as fulltime
students in their first semester, as well as those students who entered as full time
students the following year.
Definitions:
DHS: Direct from High School – The student’s high school graduation year was used to
determine that the student entered ULM as a first time college student during the same
calendar year as his/her high school graduation.
NonDHS: Non Direct from High School – A combination of the student’s high school
graduation year and age were used to determine that the student entered ULM as a first
time college student who did not enroll directly from high school and not yet 25 years of
age.
Non Traditional: The student’s age indicates that the student entered ULM as a first time
college student at the age of 25 or beyond.
Ability: This is based on the ACT composite or the SAT equivalent.
Declared: This indicates that the student declared a major upon his/her initial
enrollment.
Undeclared: This indicates that the student chose LUIO or PPSW as his/her major upon
initial enrollment.