UNC's Athlete Graduation Rate Declines

While unhappy with the drop, UNC-CH officials said they consider the decline a one-time problem and expect improvement in the future.

The men's basketball program endured the most dramatic drop in graduation rates. Only one of three players in the class entering UNC-CH in 1996 graduated, whereas all four members of the class entering in 1995 graduated within six years.

But the UNC-CH football team also experienced a downturn. Only nine of 21 players who entered school in 1996 have graduated.

University officials expressed concern and disappointment in response to the report but at the same time stressed that the decline is a short-term problem.

John Blanchard, director of academic support programs for athletics, attributed the graduation rate decline to coaching changes in various athletic programs and one class with an unusually low graduation rate for football players.

But he also pointed out that the statistics do not account for athletes who transfer out of the program, even if they graduate from other institutions.

Blanchard referred to the lowered rates as a "one-year blip" and said graduation rates are expected to improve in the future.

"When looking at past and projected rates, we anticipate close to a 76 percent graduation rate next year," Blanchard said.

"One year simply doesn't tell enough."

Blanchard said the University's goal is to graduate student athletes at a comparable percentage to the rest of the student body. The overall graduation rate for the class of 1996 was 78.7 percent, compared to 67.6 percent for that class's student athletes.

The situation concerning the men's basketball team also might not be as dire as it seems, officials said.

Blanchard said the two players from the class entering in 1996 who did not graduate both left UNC-CH in good academic standing. He also noted that in the past 15 years, UNC-CH's basketball program has had a graduation rate of 90 percent.

"All four athletes who entered the basketball program in 1995 graduated, and all four who entered in 1997 are on track to graduate as well," Blanchard said.

He also said 300 student athletes had a grade-point average of at least a 3.0 in the fall 2001 semester, with 154 of those making the dean's list.

Chancellor James Moeser reiterated Blanchard's remarks, stressing the temporary nature of the statistics.

"(Lowered graduation rates were) a one- or two-year aberration," he said.

Moeser blamed coaching changes and a lack of stability in the football program for the lowered rates.

"I have every confidence it will be back on track, especially with Coach (John) Bunting and his strong emphasis on academics," he said.

Blanchard also emphasized the University's commitment to high graduation rates.

"We are constantly looking at what is going on and regularly reviewing the academic standing of our student athletes.

"We feel very good about the academic progress of our student athletes."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.