Author Description

This study examined voluntary and involuntary withdrawal rates of students of various racial origins at York University in Ontario (Canada). Data were obtained from three surveys of first-year students conducted in 1993, 1994, and 1995, and involving 1,864 students. Information on Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) marks, first year grade point averages (GPAs), and enrollment status at the beginning of the second year was obtained from school records. It was found that differences in retention rates for Blacks and students of South Asian, Chinese, "other" non-European, and European origins were small. Only gender, perceptions of the value of a degree, a belief that students will return for a second year, and GPA were of utility in predicting voluntary withdrawal at the end of the first year. Increased hours of employment and living in temporary accommodations contributed to involuntary withdrawal. Similarly, being Black or of "other" racial origin also had a slight effect on the probability of not returning for a second year. (Contains 48 references.) (MDM)