“No Space for Humanizing Us:” Men of Color Identifying Institutional Needs at a Rural University

Men of color are not persisting or graduating from college at similar rates as their same-aged peers. This qualitative study seeks to understand how men of color understand and experience college at a rural comprehensive public four-year university on the west coast. This study draws on focus group and interview data from 23 Black, Latino, and Asian American men whose enrollment status at the rural university varied from first-year undergraduate to graduate students. Using the notion of sense of belonging as the theoretical lens, we find that students highlighted the importance of peer groups and the need for vulnerable spaces on campus to explore their gender identity. With the findings from this paper, we aim to help student affairs professionals better understand how to support men of color in rural universities.

Investigating the Influence of COVID-Related Worry on University Enrollment Intentions: An Application of the Reasoned Action Model

The current study was designed to investigate the influence of COVID-19-related worry and online learning attitudes on enrollment behavior using the Reasoned Action Model. Participants (N = 246) completed measures of other-focused COVID-19 worry, self-focused COVID-19 worry, attitudes, perceived normative pressure, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention during the Spring and Summer 2020 academic semesters. Additionally, participants allowed us access to their university records to determine their enrollment status during the Fall 2020 semester. Mediation analysis results indicated the relationship between other-focused COVID-19 worry and enrollment intention was mediated by both perceived normative pressure and perceived behavioral control. Further, behavioral intention was found to share a positive relationship with enrollment behavior. Our discussion focuses on how the findings of the current research can be used to enhance student enrollment and retention.

The Association of the Affordable Care Act With Medicaid Enrollment Status and Costs of Care at a Level I Trauma Center in a Medicaid Non-expansion State

Introduction The intended purpose of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to expand access to health care insurance for all Americans. In our study, we examine the association of Medicaid enrollment status, health care outcomes, and financial outcomes for trauma patients at a level I urban trauma center in a state that did not expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA. Methods We retrospectively reviewed trauma admissions from 2011 to 2016, via the trauma registry (n = 36,250). A subgroup of Medicaid patients (n = 8840) was identified and compared for changes in selected variables and demographics following ACA implementation. The association of Medicaid payor status, by 3 year average pre-ACA (n = 3516) and post-ACA (n = 3324), on patient outcomes, payments collected, and accrued costs of care were analyzed. Results Three-year Medicaid median actual payments decreased 7.5% following implementation of the ACA ($4072 vs. $3,767, P < .01). In contrast, the Medicaid median total cost of care increased 23% ($3964 vs. $4,882, P < .01). The rate of patients insured by Medicaid decreased (24.0% vs. 16.2%, P<.001). Patients were admitted longer (1 d vs. 2 d, P < .01), and more injured (ISS 5 vs. 6, P < .01). Discussion Medicaid payor status under the ACA was associated with a decrease in actual payments and an increase in total cost of care. Moreover, the divergence in actual payments collected with the increased total cost of care warrants examination to ascertain the root cause in efforts to reduce this widening gap.

Factors affecting enrollment status of households for community based health insurance in a resource-limited peripheral area in Southern Ethiopia. Mixed method

Background Despite the efforts made by the government of Ethiopia, the community-based health insurance (CBHI) enrollment rate failed to reach the potential beneficiaries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the enrollment status of households for community-based health insurance and associated factors in peripheral areas of Southern Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a community based cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative methods. Systematic random sampling was employed to select 820 households from 27, April to 12 June 2018. A pretested structured questionnaire, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion guiding tool were used to obtain information. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent and outcome variables. A P-Value of less than 0.05 was taken as a cutoff to declare association in multivariable analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using the thematic analysis method. Results Out of 820 households, 273[33.30%; 95% CI: 29.9–36.20] were enrolled in the community based health insurance scheme. Having good knowledge [AOR = 13.97, 95%CI: 8.64, 22.60], having family size of greater than five [AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.06], presence of frequently ill individual [AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.03, 7.51] and presence of chronic illness [AOR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.67, 7.79] were positively associated with CBHI enrollment. In addition, poor quality of care, lack of managerial commitment, lack of trust and transparency, unavailability of basic logistics and supplies were also barriers for CBHI enrollment. Conclusion and recommendation The study found that lower community based health insurance enrollment status. A higher probability of CBHI enrollment among higher health care demanding population groups was observed. Poor perceived quality of health care, poor managerial support and lack of trust were found to be barriers for non-enrollment. Therefore, wide-range awareness creation strategies should be used to address adverse selection and poor knowledge. In addition, trust should be built among communities through transparent management. Furthermore, the quality of care being given in public health facilities should be improved to encourage the community to be enrolled in CBHI.

A Long-Term Study of What Best Predicts Graduating From University Versus Leaving Prior to Graduation

Despite the importance of obtaining a university degree, retention rates remain a concern for many universities. This longitudinal study provides a multi-domain examination of first-year student characteristics and behaviors that best predict which students graduate. Graduation status was assessed seven years after students entered university. Participants (N = 1017; 71% female; mean age in Year 1 was 19 years) enrolled in a Canadian mid-sized university completed a survey, provided their enrollment status over the next 6 years (regardless of whether they left university), and consented to have their grades and status provided by the Registrar. Overall, 79% of students graduated by Year 7 (44% in 4 years). The strongest predictor of graduation was first-year grades. Social engagement in the university also predicted graduation. Surprisingly, mental health was not a significant predictor of graduation. Only a minority of students may experience mental health difficulties to such an extent that it affects their ability to succeed at university.

Tracking conditional cash transfer beneficiaries using grades and enrollment rate

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have been touted to reduce poverty in developing countries. Various methods have been used to assess the effectiveness of CCT programs but little attention has been devoted to finding out whether the grantees had benefited on an individual level. This study aimed to determine the enrollment status and academic performance of the pioneer beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a human development program of the Philippine national government using the CCT scheme in a barangay situated in a poor municipality and province. Using data from the parent leader and from the scholastic records, it was found out that the program had a positive impact on the education of the pioneer children beneficiaries of the locality studied and it was highly successful in attaining its aim of making poor children stay in school. The study argues for the tracking of individual grantees as a measure of the CCT program’s success. Due to the study’s inherent limitations and exploratory nature, the following are recommended: replicate the study on a larger scale; continue tracking the pioneer as well as the other beneficiaries of the program to see whether its long-term desired outcomes are met; and study its possible negative aspects and effects. For educators handling 4Ps pupils and students, it is recommended that continuing to strictly implement compliance of family recipients with their co-responsibilities in the program is desired.

Threaded Discussion

This article presents the results of two studies that focus on the role that threaded discussion plays in student learning. Over a period of three and one-half years, researchers conducted a series of surveys of graduate and undergraduate students at a private, nonprofit university in Southwestern Pennsylvania to determine how students viewed the value of threaded discussions in enhancing their ability to learn course material. Students were asked which types of threaded discussions they preferred; whether they found the threaded discussion to be a better tool for learning than a written assignment; and, which learning environment they felt was more conducive to learning, classroom or online. Results from the combined studies revealed some statistically significant differences based on enrollment status and gender. Upon comparing study results, researchers found statistically significant differences with regard to a preference for classroom versus online instruction and the usefulness of threaded discussions to learning.

Influence of Academic Goal Commitment on Late Registrant Success

Late registration is widely accepted as an attrition-prone practice with short-sighted institutional gains, yet some late registrants are academically successful and overcome obstacles early in the term. This study investigated whether the academic success of 538 late registrants was influenced by their academic goal, academic level, enrollment status and gender during the fall 2012 term. Academic success was cumulatively defined as a grade point average of 2.0 or better, completion of all attempted hours and persistence to the following term. Late registrants who enrolled full time and had an academic goal of transferring or pursuing a nursing career pathway were more likely to be successful. Associations with motivation, academic commitment and goal setting were drawn upon as possible explanations for the success of late registrants.