QUESTION OF DEGREE: THE GRADUATION RATE AT CAL STATE FULLERTON : Irvine Graduation Rates Above National Median, NCAA Says

Graduation rates of student-athletes at UC Irvine are substantially above the national median, according to a study by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.

The median graduation rate at Division I-A schools for all students was 47%, and 44% for student-athletes, according to a 1987 NCAA academic report. The median represents a level at which half the rates are higher and half lower.

UC Irvine’s graduation rate for student-athletes as reported to the NCAA in 1987 was more than 11% above the national median. The ’87 graduation rate for all students at UC Irvine was 45.4%, and the graduation rate for student-athletes was 55.5%.

“(Graduation rates are) not a real big concern around here. Most of are kids are good students,” said Kaia Hedlund, Irvine associate athletic director for student affairs. “Because we’re a (University of California) school, our admissions standards are higher than others.”

Cal State Fullerton and Irvine are the only 2 Division I-A colleges in Orange County. UC system schools generally accept the top 12 1/2% of California high school graduates; California State University system schools accept the top third.

The NCAA in 1987 used a formula that calculates the percentage of recruited athletes who graduate within 5 years of enrolling as freshmen. The formula does not account for students who transferred or left in good standing.

“It makes us feel very good that so many of our athletes are progressing toward graduation and eventually graduating,” said John Caine, Irvine athletic director.

In addition, a study by The Times of Irvine university and athletic department records showed that of the athletes who reached their senior year of eligibility in the 5 years before the 1987-88 school year:

--26 of 35 baseball players (74%) have graduated.

--8 of 13 basketball players (62%) have graduated.

“Sometimes (students-athletes) don’t graduate in 4 years, but they do graduate,” Caine said. “It’s no accident. We have that as 1 of our biggest objectives. We think that’s the single most important thing, although we do hope that they can compete successfully while doing it.”