“I don’t know of any business in the world that would be satisfied with a 20 percent failure rate.” – Kansas University Provost Richard Lariviere.

The 20 percent to which Lariviere refers in this statement is the percentage of KU freshman that history shows are likely not to return to the university next year. And he is right that such a high percentage is unacceptable. Changing that statistic, however, may require KU officials to rethink their strategies.

In recent months, KU officials have taken a somewhat negative approach to the problem. One step was to introduce a “guaranteed” tuition plan that had this year’s entering freshman paying far higher tuition than other students but guaranteeing that their tuition rate wouldn’t rise for four years. That guarantee obviously penalizes students who drop out before they complete a degree as well as those who take longer than four years to graduate. It provides a positive financial incentive, but in a punitive sort of way.

KU officials also have said that higher admission requirements for Kansas high school graduates might boost retention and graduation rates. Again, turning away more students may achieve that goal, but it’s a pretty negative approach.

Rather than instituting financial punishments and barriers to admission, how about looking at what the university can do to reach out and help students complete their degrees?

A story in Sunday’s Journal-World told of a mother who was unable to finish her degree in four years. Something as simple as child care support, she said, might have made the difference for her. Other factors cited by students for not completing degrees included not being able to get the classes they needed, switching majors and enjoying the social aspects of college too much.

There probably isn’t much officials can – or would want to – do about the social distractions of college, but some of the other factors may benefit from additional attention from the university. Is there a way to make child care more convenient or affordable for students? Would better advising and more personal attention help students who are having trouble getting the classes they need or settling on a major? In a large university, students can have a harder time tapping into resources to help set their academic course. Providing that guidance would be a positive way for KU to approach the retention/graduation issue.

The good news is that KU is concerned about the number of students who are delayed or unsuccessful in completing degrees. Such students may be wasting their own resources as well as those of the university. It’s important, however, for KU officials to make an effort to meet students where they are and offer a helping hand rather than punishments for those who may already be struggling.