​
"36 Million people in the US have 'some college' and no degree"
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
Rationale
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Centre, thirty-six million Americans in their database today hold some postsecondary education and training but no completion and are no longer enrolled (NSC Research Center, 2020). The situation in Canada is very similar. If Canadian universities were private corporations, their customer turnover rates would be disastrous. Up to 25% of students in Canadian universities dropout, never to return to any postsecondary program, while almost 40% switch out of their initial program of choice. Some might argue that students are not customers, and universities should not be run like businesses. Yet in many ways, they face similar challenges. Like businesses, universities invest in marketing their offerings and retaining students. Like customers, students sample the product, decide to invest their time and resources, or look elsewhere. However, eventually dropping out has lifelong consequences – for students, for universities and for society.
Stopouts
vs
Dropouts
By definition, a dropout is one who abandons an attempt, activity, or chosen path (Merriam-Webster). The experiences of most university students fit more closely to the definition of “stopout” or to temporary withdrawal from school or delay the pursuit of one's education (Dictionary.com). A learner's repositioning of their academic goals is not always a result of giving up, but often a change in the direction of their chosen path. It’s critical that university administrators start thinking of learners who take non-traditional paths to realizing their educational goals as stopouts rather than dropouts. Not only is the term more accurate, but it also has a more positive connotation that influences students, staff and faculty alike. Companies like ReUp are working to change this perception.