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ITEM ______

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION POLICY

PERTINENT FACTS

In 1997 the 75th Legislature passed HB 588, which established a uniform undergraduate admission policy for all Texas public universities. Institutions were required to admit automatically the top 10% of the high school graduating seniors or could elect to admit automatically the top 25%. HB 588 also outlined 18 different criteria for use in admitting the remaining members of the freshmen class, two of which are rank in class and test scores. In the Summer of 1997, the Board of Regents passed a policy to admit the top 25% effective Fall 1998. After one year of experience under HB 588, the Faculty Senate review of admission standards focused on whether UNT should continue automatically accepting the top 25% of new freshmen just out of high school. The Faculty Senate recommended and the Board of Regents approved at the November 1999 meeting continuation of the top 25% policy, while embracing innovative retention programs to enhance academic success, persistence, and connectivity to the university beyond the freshmen year.

With a more extensive review of admission and retention data and input from various campus committees throughout the spring semester, the Faculty Senate approved changes in third and fourth quarter admission requirements along with other SAT and ACT adjustments. The university remains committed to the spirit of the HB 588 legislation and the recruitment and retention of traditionally underrepresented populations. As the leading university in the metroplex, UNT seeks ways to insure the success of students attracted to our campus. The retention rates of third quarter (59%) and fourth quarter (61%) Fall 1998 first-time freshmen were lower than the overall retention rate of 67%, excluding TAMS students. With concern for improved retention and an expected increase in new freshmen for Fall 2000, adjustments to undergraduate admission policies effective for Fall 2001 are appropriate at this time.

RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve the following undergraduate admission policy changes effective for Fall 2001.

Top quarter

• Current: Automatic admission of top 10% and guaranteed admission of next 15%. Students who score below 920 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT must enroll in PSYC 1000.

• Change: Students who score below 950 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT must enroll in PSYC 1000.

Second quarter

• Current: SAT of 1010 or ACT of 21

• Change: ACT of 22 for consistency with concordance table

Third quarter

• Current: SAT of 1100 or ACT of 24

• Change: SAT of 1180 or ACT of 26

Fourth quarter

• Current: SAT of 1180 or ACT of 27

• Change: Students admitted by Individual Review.

This item was approved