| Student retention in higher education is, or at least should be at the center of the radar screen of every college and university. It involves one of the foundations of higher education and the economic health of the institution. The recruitment of new and retention of current students has never been more critical from an economic perspective.;This research concentrates on the retention in a different environment, specifically, the regional campuses of Ohio University. This university system incorporates five regional campuses and two centers that have an open-enrollment policy and are nonresidential. The campuses offer a variety of associate and baccalaureate programs as well as a limited number of cohort graduate degree programs. The goals of students attending regional campuses might match those of students in a traditional environment; however, their characteristics mirror students at a community college: they are commuters; a significant number are non-traditional in age; and significant factors outside college, such as family and full time employment, impact their lives (Liu & Liu, 1999).;This research used a student satisfaction inventory to assess the importance of and satisfaction with numerous scales and variables that impact student retention. The results showed three of the scales positively impacted student retention. Campus climate, safety and security and student centeredness all have significant relationships with student retention. In addition three enrollment factors related to retention and some demographic factors positively relate to student persistence. |
