Freshmen, Seniors Asked to Evaluate Student Engagement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2015) — Attention, all you freshmen and seniors who want to change the world … or at least the University of Kentucky … here’s your opportunity to provide meaningful feedback aimed at improving your university.

All UK freshmen and seniors received an emailed invitation yesterday from President Eli Capilouto to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The survey examines how UK freshmen and seniors:

·       interact with faculty outside of classes;

·       spend time discussing ideas versus memorizing facts; and

·       feel that UK provides a supportive environment to help them succeed.

“The University of Kentucky is deeply dedicated to student success. As an institution of higher learning, we are committed to self-evaluation and improvement with the continued goal to provide a college education that prepares graduates to lead lives of meaning and purpose,” said Capilouto. “The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) provides our faculty and staff with valuable information from our students, which can help us improve our curriculum, campus environment and the overall student experience.”

Students can complete the online survey in about 15 minutes. Those who complete the survey will have the opportunity to win one of 50 $50 gift cards to Amazon.com.

This year’s NSSE survey marks the sixth time since 2001 that UK has participated in this important project. The nationwide survey is designed to obtain information “about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development,” according to the NSSE Web site.

NSSE developers say the results provide an estimate of how undergraduates at hundreds of colleges and universities spend their time and what they gain from attending college. Research projects have shown a link between student engagement and academic success, as measured by grades and retention.  College administrators can use the data to identify aspects of the undergraduate experience — both inside and outside the classroom — that can be improved through changes in policies and practices more consistent with good practices in undergraduate education.

According to the NSSE website, student engagement represents two critical features of collegiate quality. The first is the amount of time and effort students put into their studies and other educationally purposeful activities. The second is how the institution deploys its resources and organizes the curriculum and other learning opportunities to get students to participate in activities that decades of research studies show are linked to student learning.