Admitted Students

CDS Definition: Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at your institution.

IPEDS Definition: Applicants that have been granted an official offer to enroll in a postsecondary institution.

Applicant

CDS Definition: First-time, first-year: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution). Transfer: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit.

IPEDS Definition: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn by applicant or institution.

EMU Definition: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission.

ACT

IPEDS Definition: ACT, previously known as the American College Testing program, measures educational development and readiness to pursue college-level coursework in English, mathematics, natural science, and social studies. Student performance does not reflect innate ability and is influenced by a student's educational preparedness.

Admitted Students

CDS Definition: Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at your institution.

IPEDS Definition: Applicants that have been granted an official offer to enroll in a postsecondary institution.

SAT

IPEDS Definition: Previously known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, this is an examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and used to predict the facility with which an individual will progress in learning college-level academic subjects.

Retention Rate

IPEDS Definition: A measure of the rate at which students persist in their educational program at an institution, expressed as a percentage. For four-year institutions, this is the percentage of first-time bachelors (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduates from the previous fall who are again enrolled in the current fall. For all other institutions this is the percentage of first-time degree/certificate-seeking students from the previous fall who either re-enrolled or successfully completed their program by the current fall.

EMU Definition: The percentage of those first-time, full-time freshmen who returned during the second year after they started at an institution.

Credit Hour

CDS Definition: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.

IPEDS Definition: A unit of measure representing the equivalent of an hour (50 minutes) of instruction per week over the entire term. It is applied toward the total number of credit hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.

EMU Definition: An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: (1) one hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester hour of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.

First-Time In Any College (FTIAC)

HEIDI Definition: A student taking courses in the first full-year equivalent year of study in accordance with an institution's policy for establishing a student's level.

CDS Definition: A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).

IPEDS Definition: A student who has no prior postsecondary experience (except as noted below) attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. This includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs. It also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer session, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits or recognized postsecondary credential earned before graduation from high school).

EMU Definition: EMU defines FTIAC as those enrolling in college for the first time in the fall, where IPEDS also includes those who enrolled for the first time in the prior summer semester. IRIM indicates on the website which definition is used for each report; some reports follow the IPEDS definition and other reports follow EMU's definition.

Graduate Student

HEIDI Definition: A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.

CDS Definition: A student who holds a bachelor's or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.

IPEDS Definition: A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

EMU Definition: A student who holds a bachelor's degree or equivalent, is taking courses at the post baccalaureate level and is admitted to a graduate program.

Dual Enrollment

EMU Definition: A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.

CDS Definition: A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.

IPEDS Definition: Refers to students who enroll in college courses offered by an institution of higher education while enrolled in high school or seeking a recognized equivalent. Student performance is recorded on a college transcript and postsecondary credit is awarded for a passing grade in the course. Includes: All postsecondary courses, independent of course delivery mode, course location, course instructor, whether secondary credit is also offered, and whether the student enrolls through a formal state/local program or enrolls outside a formal state/local program. Excludes: Credit-by-exam models such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate in which the student is not enrolled in a postsecondary institution.

Full-Time Student (Undergraduate)

CDS Definition: A student enrolled for 12 more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, or 12 more more quarter credits or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.

EMU Definition: Undergraduate students must be registered for 12 or more credits.

Part-Time Student (Undergraduate)

CDS Definition: A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each term.

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled for either less than 12 semester or quarter credits, or less than 24 clock hours a week each term.

EMU Definition: Undergraduate students registered for 6-11 credits.

Transfer Student

CDS Definition: A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.

IPEDS Definition: A student entering the reporting institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate). This includes new students enrolled in the fall term who transferred into the reporting institution the prior summer session. The student may transfer with or without credit. For systems of coordinated institutions (multi-campus system), students are to be identified as transfer-in students upon entering an institution from another institution within the same coordinated system. Also referred to as a transfer-in (non-first-time entering student).

EMU Definition: A student who previously attended another higher ed institution, either with or without credits. Official transcripts must be submitted from all colleges/universities the student attended and those transferring in less than 12 credits must also submit an official high school transcript/GED score report and ACT or SAT scores.

Undergraduate Student

HEIDI Definition: A student enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.

CDS Definition: A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.

EMU Definition: A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.

Full-Time Student (Graduate)

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled for 9 or more semester credits, or 9 or more quarter credits, or a student involved in thesis or dissertation preparation that is considered full-time by the institution.

Enrollment

HEIDI Definition: Headcount, student credit hour, and fiscal year equated student data are reported by student level, residency, and academic term. However, certain instructional activity is not to be reported pursuant to section 289 (previously 701) of the higher education appropriation act. Excluded student credit hours under section 289 are: (a) Student credit hours generated through instructional activity by faculty or staff in classrooms located outside Michigan, with the exception of instructional activity related to international study-abroad programs or field courses. (b)Student credit hours generated through credit by examination. (c) Student credit hours generated in new degree programs created on or after January 1, 1975 and before January 1, 2013, that were not specifically authorized for funding by the Legislature, except spin-off programs converted from existing core programs, and student credit hours generated in any new degree programs created after January 1, 2013, that are specifically excluded from reporting by the Legislature under current requirements in section 289. Also excluded in HEIDI enrollment are credit hours earned at any other institution, even in cases of dual or concurrent enrollment, or even if the reporting university handles financial aid for both institutions. Headcount and student credit hours should be counted at a specific date for each academic term and year to year according to policy established by the institution's governing board.

EMU Definition: Registration for coursework and payment of tuition/fees constitutes official enrollment.

Full-Time Student (IRIM definition)

EMU Definition: Fall/Winter: UG >=12 credit hours; GR >= 9 credit hours. Summer: UG >=6 credits; GR >=4 credit hours. IRIM follows the IPEDS definition for reporting purposes/consistency.

Official Record (OR)

EMU Definition: End of term data captured from Banner 3 or 4 weeks after term ends. Provides a static snapshot for reporting purposes.

Opening Term (OT)

EMU Definition: Start of term data captured from Banner once on the 10th day of classes (Census Date). Provides a static snapshot for reporting purposes.

Degrees Awarded

CDS Definition: An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.

IPEDS Definition: An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.

Graduation Rate

CDS Definition: The rate required for disclosure and/or reporting purposes under Student Right-to-Know Act. This rate is calculated as the total number of completers within 150% of normal time divided by the revised adjusted cohort.

IPEDS Definition: The rate required for disclosure and/or reporting purposes under Student Right-to-Know Act. This rate is calculated as the total number of completers within 150% of normal time divided by the revised adjusted cohort.

EMU Definition: The percentage of first-time, full-time freshmen who graduate with a bachelor's degree within 6 years from the time they started.

Non-Degree-Seeking Student

EMU Definition: A student enrolled in credit bearing courses who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential.

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled in courses for credit who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential.

Degree-Seeking Students

CDS Definition: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential. At the UG level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.

IPEDS Definition: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are seeking a degree, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential. This includes students who: a) received any type of federal financial aid, regardless of what courses they took at any time; b) received any state or locally based financial aid with an eligibility requirement that the student be enrolled in a degree, certificate, or transfer-seeking program; or c) obtained a student visa to study at a U.S. postsecondary institution. High school students also enrolled in postsecondary courses for credit are not considered degree/certificate-seeking.

EMU Definition: Students who are recognized as enrolled in for-credit courses in an academic program and seeking a degree upon satisfactory program completion.

Race/Ethnicity

CDS Definition: Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may be counted in only one group. Include international students only in the category "Nonresidents." Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the US and who is in this country on a student visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Do not include DACA, undocumented, or other eligible noncitizens in this category. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South American (including Central America) and maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories.

IPEDS Definition: Categories developed in 1997 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that are used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. The designations are used to categorize U.S. citizens, residents, and other eligible non-citizens. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino. Second, individuals are asked to indicate all races that apply among the following: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or White. U.S. Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: The category used to report students or employees whose race and ethnicity are not known.

EMU Definition: Categories developed in 1997 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that are used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. The designations are used to categorize U.S. citizens, residents, and other eligible non-citizens. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino. Second, individuals are asked to indicate all races that apply among the following: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or White. U.S. Nonresident: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Hispanic/Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community attachment. Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Two or more races: A person who is not Hispanic, but is from more than one race. Race and ethnicity unknown: The category used to report students or employees whose race and ethnicity are not known.

Part-Time Student (Graduate)

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled for less than 9 semester or quarter credits.

EMU Definition: Graduate students registered for 4-7 credits.

Part-Time Student (Undergraduate)

CDS Definition: A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each term.

IPEDS Definition: A student enrolled for either less than 12 semester or quarter credits, or less than 24 clock hours a week each term.

EMU Definition: Undergraduate students registered for 6-11 credits.

Student Classification

EMU Definition: Class is determined by the progress toward a degree. At the undergraduate level, students are classified as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. Determined by the academic hours earned as follows: Freshman 0-24 hrs, Sophomore 25-55 hrs, Junior 56-84 hrs, Senior 85 hrs or over.

Full-Time Faculty Total

HEIDI Definition: Total number (headcount) of the institution's faculty as of fall term who have a full-time appointment as a faculty member.

Part-Time Faculty Total

HEIDI Definition: Total number (headcount) of the institution's faculty as of fall term who do not have a full-time appointment as a faculty member.

Faculty

CDS Definition: All employees with instructional appointments and whose 9-month salary is greater than zero.

IPEDS Definition: Persons identified by the institution as such and typically those whose initial assignments are made for the purpose of conducting instruction, research or public service as a principal activity (or activities). They may hold academic rank titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, lecturer or the equivalent of any of those academic ranks. Faculty may also include the chancellor/president, provost, vice provosts, deans, directors or the equivalent, as well as associate deans, assistant deans and executive officers of academic departments (chairpersons, heads or the equivalent) if their principal activity is instruction combined with research and/or public service. The designation as "faculty" is separate from the activities to which they may be currently assigned. For example, a newly appointed president of an institution may also be appointed as a faculty member. Graduate, instruction, and research assistants are not included in this category.

EMU Definition: All employees with instructional appointments and whose 9-month salary is greater than zero.

Non-Tenured

IPEDS Definition: A faculty member who teaches part-time or those who are full-time but do not have tenure-track status.

EMU Definition: A faculty member who teaches part-time or those who are full-time but do not have tenure-track status.

Tenure

IPEDS Definition: Status of a personnel position with respect to permanence of the position.

EMU Definition: Status of a personnel position with respect to permanence of the position.

Tenure Track

IPEDS Definition: Personnel positions that lead to consideration for tenure.

EMU Definition: Personnel positions that lead to consideration for tenure.

FTE Faculty

HEIDI Definition: The number of prior fiscal year full-time equated faculty are reported separately by CIP code by the faculty categories identified below. Positions should be equated on an academic year basis. Academic year is defined as the fall and winter semesters. A faculty member working full time for an entire academic year, as defined by the institution, equals 1.00 FTE position. A faculty member working full time for a fiscal year as defined by the institution equals 1.22 FTE positions. A faculty member who works full time in any semester in excess of an academic year, as defined by the institution, equals .22 FTE position. Faculty employees working more or less than this standard should be apportioned according to the fraction of full-time employment. The following examples serve as guidelines in the calculation of other than full-time faculty employment for a full academic year. Part-time during regular academic year: Full time, one semester Half time, one semester Quarter time, one semester Half time, two semesters 1 x 1/2 = .50; 1/2 x 1/2 = .25; 1/4 x 1/2 = .13; 1/2 x 2/2 = .50. Overload, where faculty is paid extra compensation to teach above and beyond the normal load for a given term is calculated as follows: 1/3 overload, one semester 1/3 x 1/2 = .17; 1/4 overload, two semesters 1/4 x 2/2 = .25.

IPEDS Definition: The full-time equivalent (FTE) of faculty is calculated by summing the total number of full-time faculty and adding one-third of the total number of part-time faculty.

EMU Definition: Calculated using total full-time faculty headcount plus one-third of total part-time faculty headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE; Excludes teaching assistants and graduate assistants.

FTE Students

IPEDS Definition: The full-time equivalent (FTE) of students is a single value providing a meaningful combination of full-time and part-time students. IPEDS data products currently have two calculations of FTE students, one using fall student headcounts and the other using 12-month instructional activity.

EMU Definition: Calculated using total full-time student headcount plus one-third of total part-time student headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE

FTE Staff

IPEDS Definition: The full-time equivalent (FTE) of staff is calculated by summing the total number of full-time staff and adding one-third of the total number of part-time staff.

EMU Definition: Calculated using total full-time staff headcount plus one-third of total part-time staff headcount; FT + (PT/3) = FTE

Academic Rank

EMU Definition: A status designated by the institution according to the institution's policies. Typically includes the ranks of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, and Lecturer.

IPEDS Definition: A status designated by the institution according to the institution's policies. IPEDS includes the ranks of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, and Lecturer.