This study examined differences between Extenders
(students who extended their continuous full-time enrollment
beyond eight semesters) and Completers (students who
completed their degree within eight semesters of continuous
full-time enrollment). Student perceptions of the
influences of faculty on the enrollment pattern of students
were also investigated.
Subjects included 81 Extenders and 211 Completers
enrolled in a large research university in the southeastern
United States. Demographic independent variables included
student gender, ethnicity, verbal and math Scholastic
Achievement scores, and college affiliation. Measures of
student environmental press, characteristics of faculty,
student-faculty interaction, and faculty concern for
teaching and student development were independent perceptual
variables. Other independent variables related to
development of a major, average weekly out-of-class faculty contact and career orientation of students. The dependent
variable was pattern of enrollment (Extender/Completer).
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