Syracuse University selected to participate in National Survey of Student Engagement for third straight year

Syracuse University selected to participate in National Survey of Student Engagement for third straight yearMarch 13, 2002Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Once again, randomly selected first-year and senior students at Syracuse University will have the opportunity to provide valuable input about their college experiences in and out of the classroom through the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The NSSE was launched in 2000, and SU has been invited to participate every year since the survey’s inception. The survey results will help improve the quality and focus of undergraduate education at Syracuse University by identifying student perceptions on a variety of quality-of-life issues.

“The college experience-as shared with us by our students-provides very valuable information that can help us continuously improve our student-centered learning approaches here at Syracuse University,” says Ronald R. Cavanagh, vice president for undergraduate studies. “Knowing the extent to which students are engaged in the learning process helps us concentrate on the areas that will enrich overall campus life.”

Along with students from more than 350 other colleges and universities across the country, the selected Syracuse University students may answer questions such as, “How would you describe the quality of your relationships with other students and faculty members?” or “How much reading and writing have you done this school year?”

“We are very interested to learn the results and related trends from this year’s survey because they offer a planning tool that keeps us focused on what matters most to students,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs.

The survey, known as The College Student Report 2002, will be mailed to students after spring break, and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It focuses on how and where students spend their time and what they have gained from the college experience. Survey results from the 2000 College Student Report were incorporated into discussions surrounding the development of the Syracuse University Academic Plan as well as the Division of Student Affairs 2001-2006 Strategic Plan. The 2001 results will be shared with University administrators in April.

The NSSE is supported by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts and is co-sponsored by the Pew Forum on Undergraduate Learning and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The results from the NSSE survey are used to help colleges and universities improve undergraduate education by providing valuable information about student engagement in learning and learning outcomes.