Integração universitária de estudantes de graduação em uma universidade pública

Abstract

College integration is a multifaceted process that impacts student retention. Contributing to promoting integration is a management challenge and requires the involvement of different segments and institutional sectors. In this context, this study aimed to understand the role of public higher education institutions in promoting the integration of undergraduate students, using Vincent Tinto's theory as a basis. To this end, a case study of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) was carried out through documentary research, application of questionnaires to graduation courses coordinators and semi-structured interviews with managers and segments involved in welcoming the entrants, from a mixed, quantitative and qualitative, approach. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, and content analysis, proposed by Laurence Bardin, was used for the qualitative data. The results were discussed in an integrated manner. After presenting the profile of the participants and mapping the actions already carried out, the discussion covered the seven thematic categories that emerged in the analysis: a) reception and first impressions; b) informational aspects; c) pedagogical aspects and classroom experiences; d) extracurricular activities; e) aspects linked to the feeling of belonging (and the subcategories: diversity and inclusion at the university and aspects linked to the physical structure of the institution); f) duration of the actions; and g) actors involved and institutional articulation. The study made it possible to understand the weak points that require greater attention, as well as the powerful elements within the institution. As a final product, a guide was created for the coordinators of in-person graduation courses at UFSM, with the aim of guiding actions that contribute to college integration.