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to see the entire research report - Rowan - Rowan University

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Previous <strong>research</strong> has suggested that women in particular leave engineering<br />

because <strong>the</strong>y find <strong>the</strong> coursework <strong>to</strong>o demanding -- apparently not in <strong>the</strong> case of <strong>Rowan</strong>.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r <strong>research</strong> suggests that interpersonal climate as a fac<strong>to</strong>r in students’ leaving<br />

engineering, especially women. Again, this is apparently not <strong>the</strong> case for <strong>Rowan</strong>. Both<br />

leavers and stayers are satisfied with faculty-student relationships and peer relationships.<br />

So <strong>the</strong> main difference between stayers and leavers appears <strong>to</strong> be <strong>the</strong>ir grades (for<br />

males) and dissatisfaction with <strong>the</strong> opportunities offered in <strong>the</strong> program. That leavers<br />

have stronger verbal SAT scores than stayers suggests that <strong>the</strong>y may have strengths<br />

rewarded better in o<strong>the</strong>r majors and careers.<br />

A follow-up study will probe in greater depth where students who leave<br />

engineering are going and why. At this point it is important <strong>to</strong> recognize that <strong>the</strong> special<br />

“female-friendly” nature of <strong>the</strong> program does not push qualified men away nor does a<br />

chilly interpersonal climate characteristic of more traditional programs push females<br />

away.<br />

IIF-235

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