AU ranked in the 90th percentile of Doctoral-Extensive schools in the nation, scoring highest in enriching educational experiences, while first-year students gave the University a score of 71, out of a possible 100.
In November 2002, AU freshmen and seniors participated in the yearly National Survey for Student Engagement. The survey is based on five categories; level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment.
"Doctoral-Extensive institutions are those institutions that offer doctoral degrees (like AU) and that have doctoral degrees in a wide variety of areas, with a certain number of students graduating every year," said Karen Froslid Jones, director of the Office of Institutional Research and Development.
Froslid Jones also said the main reason why NSSE uses this classification system to compare results is that a small liberal arts school with no graduate students is likely to have a different atmosphere on campus than a large university.
"Thus, when we look at AU compared to other doctoral-extensive institutions we are comparing ourselves to similar institutions," Froslid Jones said.
Both public and private schools participate in the survey, which compares one's choice school with the national score for all schools, and the Doctoral-Extensive school score.
The University recognized that it could benefit from gathering information about such factors as the level of academic challenge at AU, active and collaborative learning and enriching educational experiences, Froslid Jones said. The University first participated in the survey in 2000.
"While the Campus Climate Survey that AU does every year gives us very important information about student satisfaction with issues important to AU," Froslid Jones said, "it is also important to be able to do national comparisons. The NSSE allows us to do that."
Students who participate in the survey are selected randomly by the NSSE board, which receives a list of the University's current freshmen and seniors. Once the board has made their selection, the University helps them contact participants.
"AU samples more students than some other institutions so that we can assure a large number of participants," Froslid Jones said. "Of course, the names of students selected and participating is completely confidential. Under no circumstances are individual answers reported."
Some students agree with the survey.
"I fervently agree that AU deserves this recognition," freshman Claudia Imel said. "I find the level of academics challenging and enriching. I feel that in four years, I'll be ready for the work force."
Freshman Ben Murray thinks the results are positive but he does not believe that the survey accurately measures the University's standings since every university offers something different.
"I feel like I am not getting the education I deserve for the high tuition I am paying," freshman Lauren Goglick said. "For instance, in regards to the category of student-faculty interactions, four out of my five professors have office hours by appointment only."
Froslid Jones encourages students to participate this spring if they are contacted for the survey.
To find out more on the NSSE, visit their Web site at www.iub.edu/~nsse.
