A task force appointed by The University of Texas board of trustees has released recommendations to boost the university's four-year graduation rate to 70 percent by 2016. Now, the four-year graduation rate is 50 percent.

During the past 20 years, UT's four-year graduation rates have risen significantly, but stakeholders would like to see greater gains, allowing the university to be more in line with graduation rates at comparable universities around the nation. The University of Michigan, for example, has a 70 percent four-year rate.

"We're not coming out with recommendations because we're facing a downward trend," said David Ochsner, director of public affairs for the College of Liberal Arts. "We're on the upward. We need to accelerate that trend."

About 75 percent of UT undergraduates earn their degree in five years and 80 percent within six years. Ochsner said compared to other universities statewide, UT's four-year graduation rates are higher.

Concerns raised by stakeholders last year about the university's graduation rates compared to universities nationwide prompted UT to create a task force that would investigate undergraduate progress trends and provide avenues to significantly increase the rate to 70 percent by 2016.

The task force released its report Feb. 15 and provided 60 recommendations, many of which will be implemented for the incoming class. The committee was composed of five senior UT students and nine faculty members, including task force chair Randy Diehl, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Recommendations include enhancing freshmen orientation so students are more prepared for the rigors of their higher education.

"If a student succeeds in the first two semesters, it is a good indicator that the student will graduate in four years," Ochsner said.

The university also aims to change how it advises and tracks student progress to ensure that each student has a plan toward graduation and also identify which ones are struggling. UT plans to offer more online tools so students can track their own progress.

Other recommendations include integrating students into the campus community and making sure they are engaged in student government, organizations or study abroad because Ochsner said these students typically have better graduation rates.

He said many students opt for the five- or six-year track because some are reluctant to head into the job world and many are uncertain what will happen after graduation.

"The economy probably has some effect on that," he said.

Advantages to having more students graduate in four years include less debt for students and parents, students starting careers earlier and opening more slots to prospective students, the university said.

UT will appoint someone to monitor graduation rates and ensure the recommendations are implemented, Ochsner said.

To view the full report from the task force, visit www.utexas.edu/graduation-rates.