NSSE Data for The

NSSE Data for the

Foundation of Excellence Dimensions

FoE/NSSE Connections—page 2

This document connects the Foundation of Excellent Dimensions with potential sources of evidence based on student responses to the National Survey of Student Engagement, administered at UNI in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Responses to the NSSE questions for UNI can be found on the MAPP and NSSE Data web page from the Office of Academic Assessment. A link to the web page and the user name and password for accessing the page in included in the FoEtec Evidence Library. The Foundations of Excellence Dimensions statements are from the Foundations of Excellence web site at http://www.fyfoundations.org/doc.aspx?f=pdf&id=17.

The NSSE questions identified below as having a possible connection with various FoE Dimensions come from the 2008 NSSE questionnaire. The ADP questions are from the American Democracy Project Consortium questions added to the 2008 NSSE questionnaire. Responses to the ADP questions can be found at the Assessment Office web page sited in the previous paragraph.

Some questions are duplicated across more than one Dimension. Some questions may be seen as more directly related to a particular Dimension that other questions offered with the Dimension. Those using this document and the related NSSE data will need to decide which questions and information are most related to their areas of study and their needs. Readers may also find other NSSE questions that they believe provide relevant data.

This document was jointly prepared by Donna Vinton, Director of Academic Assessment, and Michael Cronin, student assistant for the Office of Academic Assessment.

§ Foundations Institutions approach the first year in ways that are intentional and based on a philosophy/rationale of the first year that informs relevant institutional policies and practices. The philosophy/rationale is explicit, clear and easily understood, consistent with the institutional mission, widely disseminated, and, as appropriate, reflects a consensus of campus constituencies. The philosophy/rationale is also the basis for first-year organizational policies, practices, structures, leadership, department/unit philosophies, and resource allocation. (Philosophy)

NSSE Questions

12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?

13. How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution?

14. If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending?

§ Foundations Institutions create organizational structures and policies that provide a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated approach to the first year. These structures and policies provide oversight and alignment of all first-year efforts. A coherent first-year experience is realized and maintained through effective partnerships among academic affairs, student affairs, and other administrative units and is enhanced by ongoing faculty and staff development activities and appropriate budgetary arrangements. (Organization)

NSSE Questions

1o. During the current school year, how often have you talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor?

8c. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with administrative personnel and offices?

10b. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to help you succeed academically?

12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?

ADP Questions

1a. (How important is each of the following issues or causes to you?) Education

§ Foundations Institutions deliver intentional curricular and co-curricular learning experiences that engage students in order to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with the desired outcomes of higher education and the institution’s philosophy and mission. Whether in or out of the classroom, learning also promotes increased competence in critical thinking, ethical development, and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. (Learning)

NSSE Questions

Sharing and Discussing Ideas

During the current school year, how often have you…

1a. Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions?

1d. Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information from various sources?

1e. Included diverse perspectives (different races, religions, genders, political beliefs, etc.) in class discussions or writing assignments?

1g. Worked with other students on projects during class?

1h. Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments?

1i. Put together ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments or during class discussions?

Outside of Class Learning

During the current school year, how often have you…

1k. Participated in a community-based project (e.g., service learning) as part of a regular course?

1p. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class?

1t. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, co-workers, etc.)?

Opportunities For Personal Growth

During the current school year, about how often have you….

6a. Attended an art exhibit, play, dance, music, theater, or other performance?

6b. Exercised or participated in physical fitness activities?

6c. You participated in activities to enhance your spirituality (worship, meditation, prayer, etc.)?

6d. Examined the strengths and weaknesses of your own views on a topic or issue?

6e. Tried to better understand someone else's views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her perspective?

6f. You learned something that changed the way you understand an issue or concept?

3b. (During the current school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?) Number of books read on your own (not assigned) for personal enjoyment or academic enrichment.

Enriching Educational Opportunities

Which of the following have you done or do you plan to do before you graduate from your institution?

7a. Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical assignment before you graduate from your institution?

7c. Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or more classes together before you graduate from your institution?

7d. Work on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements before you graduate from your institution?

7e. Foreign language coursework before you graduate from your institution?

Enriching Educational Opportunities, continued

7f. Study abroad before you graduate from your institution?

7g. Independent study or have a self-designed major before you graduate from your institution?

7h. Culminating senior experience (capstone course, senior project or thesis, comprehensive exam, etc.) before you graduate from your institution?

9d. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week participating in co-curricular activities (organizations, campus publications, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or intramural sports, etc.)?

10f. To what extent does your institution emphasize attending campus events and activities (special speakers, cultural performances, athletic events, etc.)?

Skill Development

To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas?

Critical Thinking Skills

11e. Thinking critically and analytically?

11f. Analyzing quantitative problems?

11j. Learning effectively on your own?

11m. Solving complex real-world problems?

Group Interpersonal Skills

11c. Writing clearly and effectively?

11d. Speaking clearly and effectively?

11h. Working effectively with others?

11n. Developing a personal code of values and ethics?

Specialized Skills Development

11a. Acquiring a broad general education?

11b. Acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills?

11g. Using computing and information technology?

25. What have most of your grades been up to now at this institution?

Coursework Emphasis

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized…

2a. Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form?

2b. Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its components?

2c. Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships?

2d. Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions?

2e. Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations?

ADP Questions

1a. (How important is each of the following issues or causes to you?) Education

16a. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement: I believe my coursework is preparing me to participate in politics (e.g., voting, volunteering or contributing to a campaign, or persuading others about a candidate or political issue).

§ Foundations Institutions make the first college year a high priority for the faculty. These institutions are characterized by a culture of faculty responsibility for the first year that is realized through high-quality instruction in first-year classes and substantial interaction between faculty and first-year students both inside and outside the classroom. This culture of responsibility is nurtured by chief academic officers, deans, and department chairs and supported by the institutions’ reward systems. (Faculty)

NSSE Questions

Student and Faculty Communication

During the current school year, how often have you…

1m. used e-mail to communicate with an instructor?

1q. received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on your academic performance?

1n. discussed grades or assignments with an instructor?

Educational Enrichment

During the current school year, how often have you…

1o. Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor?

1p. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class?

1s. Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework (committees, orientation, student life activities, etc.)?

7d. Have you or do you plan to work on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements before you graduate from your institution?

Relationship Quality

8b. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with faculty members?

§ Foundations Institutions facilitate appropriate student transitions through policies and practices that are intentional and aligned with institutional mission. Beginning with recruitment and admissions and continuing through the first year, institutions communicate clear curricular and co- curricular expectations and provide appropriate support for educational success. They are forthright about their responsibilities to students as well as students' responsibilities to themselves and the institution. They create and maintain curricular alignments with secondary schools and linkages with secondary school personnel, families, and other sources of support, as appropriate. (Transitions)

NSSE Questions

Classroom Expectations

During the current school year, how often have you…

1f. come to class without completing readings or assignments?

1r. worked harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations?

During the current school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?

3a. Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings.

3c. Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more.

3d. Number of written papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages.

3e. Number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages.

4a. In a typical week, how many homework problem sets took you more than an hour to complete?

4b. In a typical week, how many homework problem sets took you less than an hour to complete?

5. To what extent did your examinations during the current school year challenge you to do your best work?

9a. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, doing homework or lab work, analyzing data, rehearsing, and other academic activities)?

10a. To what extent does your institution emphasize spending significant amounts of time studying and on academic work?

10b. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to help you succeed academically?

Classroom Emphasis

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized…

2a. Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form?

2b. Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its components?

2c. Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships?

2d. Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions?

2e. Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations?

Quality Relationships

How would you rate the quality of your relationship with…

8a. other students?

8b. faculty members?

8c. administrative personnel and offices?

Personal Growth

10e. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to thrive socially?

§ Foundations Institutions serve all first-year students according to their varied needs. The process of anticipating, diagnosing, and addressing needs is ongoing and is subject to assessment and adjustment throughout the first year. Institutions provide services with respect for the students’ abilities, backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Institutions also ensure a campus environment that is inclusive and safe for all students. (All Students)

NSSE Questions

To what extent does your institution emphasize…

10b. Providing the support you need to help you succeed academically?

10d. Helping you cope with your non-academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.)?

10e. Providing the support you need to thrive socially?

1o. During the current school year, how often have you talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor?

8c. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with administrative personnel and offices?

12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?

§ Foundations Institutions ensure that all first-year students experience diverse ideas, worldviews, and cultures as a means of enhancing their learning and preparing them to become members of pluralistic communities. Whatever their demographic composition, institutions structure experiences in which students interact in an open and civil community with people from backgrounds and cultures different from their own, reflect on ideas and values different from those they currently hold, and explore their own cultures and the cultures of others. (Diversity)