Exploring Undergraduate Absenteeism at a Small, Regional, Minority-Serving Institution

Abstract

While research has shown class attendance is important for undergraduate student success, few studies have examined why students choose to not attend class.  What is more, existing research has focused on absenteeism among undergraduates at land-grant institutions and professional schools.  The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine reasons for absenteeism among students at a small, regional, minority-serving institution.  Three focus groups were used to collect data, and thematic data analysis revealed class attendance was impacted by (a) teacher attributes, (b) student attributes, (c) process variables, and (d) context variables.  Based on these attributes and variables, recommendations are provided to instructors and administrators on how to improve class attendance at small, regional, minority-serving institutions.