Many students approach college with the belief that four years isn’t enough to earn a degree. Last year, 28.4 percent of ISU graduates proved those students wrong.

One way the Board of Regents and campus officials are attempting to dispel this myth is with the Soar in 4 program.

“You got through high school in a four-year process; anticipate college to be a four-year process,” said Beverly Madden, coordinator for Soar in 4.

Iowa State first implemented the program in 1995. That year, 137 students signed the program’s contract and thereby committed to do what it took to earn a four-year degree. In 1999, 87 of the original 137 upheld their end of the deal and graduated.

The signing students agree to keep in contact with their academic adviser, take required courses as they are available, register for classes on time and remain goal-oriented.

In turn, Iowa State guarantees them a place in the courses they need to graduate in four years. If a student is ever unable to get into one of these classes, the university pays the tuition for the following session of that class.

“The bottom line is, if we somehow get in the way of your success, we’ll provide the redress,” Madden said.

The university has yet to use “the bottom line,” she said.

The current enrollment of Soar in 4 is about 500 students.

The numbers are expected to rise after fall advising sessions due to the pending double-digit tuition increase percentage and changes made to the auditing process.

“In light of university budget cuts and students’ concerns, we have encouraged students to speak to officials in the LAS college and to consider the Soar in 4 program,” said Summer Brunscheen, graduate student and assistant adviser for the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Program.

“I hope it will be a benefit to my advisees and to the university.”

All ISU undergraduate programs, with the exception of architecture and landscape architecture, offer the Soar in 4 contract. A student must average 15 to 18 credits each semester to successfully complete the program.

There are no consequences for breaking the contract, and students are still able to participate in study abroad programs and internships. The contract can be signed at any time during a student’s enrollment at Iowa State.

“We will do everything we can,” Madden said.

“We are not going to stand in the way of your academic success.”