Students in their first year, as well as seniors, are invited to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement.

The survey is sent to students through their IUS e-mail and comes out every three years. The survey is geared toward helping faculty and administrators improve college life for undergraduates.

IU Southeast joins an estimated 600 other schools who will also participate. All other IU campuses, including Bloomington, will also be participating.

“The NSSE surveys only freshman and senior undergraduate students,” Ron Severtis, assessment and research specialist, said. “We define eligibility based on credit hour completion as of the end of fall 2011. Therefore, eligible students are those with 25 or less credit hours and those with 86 or more credit hours, as well as undergraduate standing.”

Erica Walsh, public information specialist for University Communications, said the information IU Southeast acquires from the survey is vital in letting administrators know how students feel.

“For students, filling out the survey gives them a chance to provide feedback,” Walsh said. “For freshmen, their answers could have an effect on their next three years at the university. For seniors, it’s a chance to reflect on their time here and potentially be a part of change for future IU Southeast students.”

The NSSE website suggests many reasons why the survey is of great importance to students and faculty.

Part of the mission at IU Southeast, according to the website, is to make sure that educational programs and services are of high quality and promote student learning. This survey provides data to schools so they may have an opportunity to improve in lacking areas.

“The data we gather will be used to help make decisions, improve the campus and improve the opportunities that IU Southeast can provide all students,” Severtis said. “The contribution that students can make to improve their own education is immeasurable, and this is an opportunity to do just that.”

Walsh said she agrees the NSSE is beneficial to both students and faculty.

“The survey is a good way for the university to gauge how connected students feel to IU Southeast, both in terms of academics and life outside the classroom,” Walsh said. “It also gives students a way to voice their opinions.”

However, there are reasons the survey only comes out every three years.

“The survey is actually an annual survey, so schools can choose to administer it every year,” Severtis said. “However, we use a three-year cycle so we can survey freshmen and then survey them again as seniors, to measure some amount of change over that three-year period.”

The survey is short and asks questions about service-learning and first-year experiences, Residence Life and Housing, Greek Life, transfer students and Career Services.

There are also questions about academic activities and experiences with other students and faculty.

Results are shared with IU Southeast upon completion of the survey. According to the website, campus officials use the information so they can create positive change. The survey also compares IU Southeast with other similar campuses.

Students who complete the survey are also entered into a drawing, making them eligible to win a number of prizes.

“We are excited to offer a number of prizes for completion of the NSSE for this 2012 administration,” Severtis said. “We have 18 $10 UCard gift cards, which will be drawn weekly from Wednesday, Feb. 8 through Wednesday, June 6.  We also have three $200 IU Southeast scholarships, which will be drawn monthly from Wednesday, March 7 through Wednesday, May 2.  Lastly, we have a number of end-of-survey drawings to take place on Wednesday, June 6, which include a $100 UCard gift card, a $500 scholarship, an iPad2 and a one-year parking permit.”

IU Southeast has budgeted funds for the survey and the prizes awarded.

“Because of the importance that the university places on assessment projects, such as this survey, IU Southeast has budgeted funds to support the administration of the NSSE,” Severtis said.

Severtis said he recommends taking the survey early.  The survey closes on June 1, and the final drawing is June 6.
Severtis said he hopes many students will respond.

“It is important for the student body to know that the data they provide us is confidential, and, more importantly, that the information we obtain is used to make very important decisions that affect the student experience, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Severtis said students have a real opportunity to make change on campus.

“One of the best ways for students to take a responsible role in improving their educational experience here at IU Southeast is to take surveys and have their voice be heard,” Severtis said.  “After all, they have the answers.”

Walsh sees the survey as a great opportunity for both students and staff.

The survey’s goal is to improve the student experience, and, to do that, we need to know students’ thoughts,” Walsh said.

By SUSAN GREENWELL

Staff

susdgree@ius.edu