Study to examine GPAs, college success of minorities

A study that examines the quality of life of minority students attending college could provide insight into whether high school grade point averages translate into college success.

Raymond Sandoval of Quantos Consulting in New Mexico was hired by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Diversity Initiatives Office to study the school's minority retention rates. Sandoval recently conducted a similar study at New Mexico State University.

The $40,000 study is scheduled to be released in December, when regents are expected to vote to limit admission to UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno to students who finish high school with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The current requirement is a 2.5 GPA.

Sandoval, however, said that past surveys have shown almost no connection in relation to a successful high school academic career translating to the college level.

"If you get a higher GPA, you may have a chance at being successful, but it's not that much higher," Sandoval said. "GPA indicates the ability to conform to a system and to conform to rules of education and behavior. Success, I think we would all say, is whether you make a contribution to the world."

Retention rates at UNLV for 1999-2000 showed that about 50 percent of black students attending college part-time remained in school beyond their freshmen years, according to the Office of Institutional Analysis.

Statistics also show that 68.1 percent of all full-time students remained in college beyond their freshmen years, compared with 71.2 percent of full-time white students.

However, Hispanic students remained beyond their freshmen years at a rate of 78.7 percent.

Sandoval, as part of his survey, plans to poll 400 students on issues such as social environment and income level. Students also will be surveyed regarding their high school GPAs.

Minority activists have criticized the board for proposing the increase, claiming minorities would be blocked from receiving a university education.

Andres Ramirez, co-chairman of the Hispanic Coalition, a Las Vegas advocacy group, said minorities often have lower GPA's because of things such as language barriers, family commitments and financial limitations that often force students to work while in high school.

Several regents say that if the study would help them decide on the GPA issue, they would be willing to postpone a scheduled December vote to raise the standard.

"I've heard from a number of regents that we need more information," Board Chairwoman Thalia Dondero said.

"I would be open to postponement," Regent Jill Derby said. "That would be important information in my opinion."

Regent Tom Kirkpatrick said he already has submitted a request to the chancellor for information on the number of students admitted with a 2.5 GPA or lower during the past five years and how they performed in college.

Regent Steve Sisolak said he doesn't have sufficient information for an informed vote and, consequently, a postponement is likely.

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