Accountability Report shows strong performance

Grand Valley State University's annual Accountability Report shows the university is attracting a record number of students while demonstrating exemplary results in key areas including retention, graduation rates and providing access to students who otherwise could not afford a college education.

The report also shows the university continues to hold down tuition and administration costs while providing a significant economic impact to the region.

The report, which tracks more than 40 measures of university performance and student outcomes, was released at Grand Valley's November 6 Board of Trustees meeting in Allendale.

Here are some highlights from the 9th annual report: 

• Grand Valley welcomed a record number of students in the fall (25,325), as well as a record number of students of color, out-of-state students and international students. 

• Grand Valley ranks in the top three of all public universities in Michigan for graduation rates, and fourth for retention.

• 90.1% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school, and 83.8% are working and giving back in Michigan.

• The university was rewarded by the state legislature and the governor for a fourth year in a row with a portion of appropriations based on performance.

• Tuition remains in the bottom half of all Michigan public universities, while Grand Valley receives the second lowest funding per student.

• The economic impact of Grand Valley on Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties is $730 million.

The full 2015-16 Accountability Report can be viewed online at www.gvsu.edu/accountability.

In other board action:

• The board approved the authorization of two new charter schools, Carpe Diem Innovative School (Detroit) and Detroit Prep. The board also approved relocation of Pathways Global Leadership Academy from Detroit to Inkster and approved appointment or reappointment of charter school board members to Grand Valley authorized public school academy boards.