Black graduation rates at OU are below the national average and are ranked in the bottom half of flagship state universities, according to the 2004 Journal of Blacks in Higher Education study.

OU ranked 34th out of the 50 flagship state universities in the study.

The black graduation rate for OU is 39 percent, lower than the nationwide average of 40 percent, according to the study.

Of Big 12 schools in the survey, Texas ranked highest with a 58 percent graduation rate among black students, followed by Missouri at 53 percent and Colorado at 48 percent. Kansas, 37 percent, and Nebraska, 31 percent, both fell below OU in the rankings. Nationally, the lowest university ranked was the University of the District of Columbia with a 5 percent graduation rate.

Out of all the colleges and universities, Amherst College in western Massachusetts had the highest black graduation rate, 95 percent, followed by 93 percent at Harvard University.

Nancy Mergler, senior vice president and provost, said at many institutions, including OU, the black graduation rate is lower than the Asian-American and white graduation rate.

"I believe that much of that difference can be attributed to differences in socio-economic status. If a student and their family is struggling to pay for college expenses, that student may take longer to earn a degree," Mergler said.

She said the 2004 numbers are the most recent she has at her disposal.

Mergler said the best advice she can give to students is to go to the financial aid counseling center and learn as much as possible about their options for financing their college education.

Cheryl Onwuchuruba, biochemistry senior and Black Student Association vice president, said the low graduation rate of black students is a problem that keeps growing.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know or care about the problem," Onwuchuruba said.

Onwuchuruba said one of the reasons the graduation rate is so low is because of financial issues, and also because students stay in school longer than the expected four-year graduation rate.

She said BSA is trying to fight back and find tutors for students and other ways to help the black community.

"Real change happens when people start to care about themselves," Onwuchuruba said.

Black students can become involved with numerous clubs and organizations and participate in campus events held each year, Onwuchuruba said.

BSA hopes to get students involved with the community, develop new relationships among students and help students academically.

Kimberly Rutland, adviser of BSA, said, "The focus this year for BSA is academics, life as a student and how to be champions in the classroom."

She said the university as a whole needs to focus on academics, and BSA is committed to helping students.

BSA offers study hall three times a week and provides special tutors and study halls to students who are looking for help.

"Remember why you came -- to get a diploma. Focus on the prize," Rutland said.
hello there & you too