Data Decisions Information INstitutional Insight Effectiveness INsights December 2012 Published once each semester, this newsletter is designed to inform readers of the activities, information, and services provided by Ball State’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE). Cheryl Buchanan INsights will be distributed each semester via email as well as archived on our web site. Administrative Coordinator National Survey of specifically chose because they are good peers in 5-3651 terms of student and institutional characteristics [email protected] Student Engagement (including Central Michigan University, George Mason University, Marshall University, Northern Rebecca Costomiris The National Survey of Student Engagement Arizona University, Northern Illinois University, Academic Assessment (NSSE) is a survey for freshman and senior stu- and the University of Texas at Arlington). Specialist dents developed and administered by the Center and for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University. Since so many students responded to the survey Publications Editor NSSE has been administered to 3.7 million col- (2,301), many group differences were statistically 5-1872 lege students at more than 1,400 colleges and significant. Because of this, we used a concept [email protected] universities across the Nation since 2000. Ball known as effect sizes to classify all of the differ- State participated in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, and ences as very small, small, medium, or large. All of Bill Knight 2012. The NSSE is not a test nor a measure of the differences we found were classified as very small Executive Director student learning. Rather, it is a survey that col- or small. When we compared to our peer universi- 5-2191 lects information from students about the nature [email protected] ties, we found that results were different for 31 of and quality of their college experience. The ques- the 82 items; 13 were higher, and 18 were lower. tions asked are known from decades of research Irah Modry-Caron When we compared our results over time, we with college students to predict student success found differences for 16 of the 82 items; freshmen Associate Director in college, such as grades, retention, and gradua- 5-1874 reported greater levels of engagement over time. tion. NSSE is built on the idea that how students [email protected] When we looked at differences by group, we do in college is related to what they put into the found numerous differences by gender and race, experience and the kind of opportunities that the Jolene Pastir with females showing greater levels of engagement college or university provides. Academic Assessment than males on 27 of 38 items, and minorities Analyst showing greater levels of engagement than IE sent the NSSE staff a set of email addresses of 2-2681 Caucasians for 17 of 18 items. all of our freshmen and seniors, and NSSE sent [email protected] the survey to our students in February through A full summary report and a brief report of the April 2012. We had a 31% response rate, which Brian Pickerill 2012 NSSE results are available at http:// is higher than our peers. We compared the re- Assistant Director cms.bsu.edu/About/AdministrativeOffices/ sults with those of other universities, with those Effectiveness/SurveysandStudies/ 5-8678 NationalSurveyofStudentEngagement.aspx. [email protected] of previous administrations of NSSE at Ball State, and across student groups (gender and race). The results are an important part of our Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation self-study. There were three comparison groups: other Bhavana Sherchand They have also been discussed in several meetings, IR Information participating universities in Indiana, other univer- including those of the President’s Cabinet and the Management Specialist sities classified as research universities—high Council of Deans. We plan to continue to use 5-5209 research, and a group of universities that we NSSE every 2-3 years. [email protected] Office of Institutional Effectiveness Ball State University West Quad 200 Muncie, IN 47306 765-285-5974 | www.bsu.edu/effective INstitutional Effectiveness INsights Page 2 December 2012 Moving On OIE is pleased to announce that Amy Petts, Assistant Director for Institutional Effectiveness, and her husband Dr. Richard Petts, a faculty member in the Department of Sociology, have contributed to the next generation of institutional researchers by bringing Colin Petts into the world. We are also sad to announce that Amy has resigned her position in OIE to become a full-time mom. We wish Amy, Richard and Colin all the best! Senior Survey OIE has committed to administering a survey to graduating seniors each semester and summarizing the results annually. The first administration of the new Senior Survey was carried out in December 2011, and a report of the results for 2011-2012 has recently become available. It is on the IE web site at http://cms.bsu.edu/About/AdministrativeOffices/Effectiveness/ SurveysandStudies/Seniors.aspx. The 2011-2012 survey had a 58% response rate. While enrolled at Ball State, the majority of respondents were employed and participated in a social club, fraternity, or sorority. More than 73% reported having participated in volunteer/service work. Percentage “Yes” Fall Spring Total . work at a job on campus 48.0% 56.4% 54.3% . work at a job off campus 67.5% 58.5% 60.8% . participate in an internship or co-op 45.4% 50.5% 49.2% . participate in an immersive learning experience n/a 42.7% 42.7% . participate in a social club, fraternity, or sorority 53.6% 56.6% 55.9% . serve as an officer in a social club, fraternity, or sorority 26.4% 31.6% 30.3% . participate in volunteer/service work 70.5% 74.3% 73.4% . participate in varsity/intercollegiate athletics 8.5% 10.9% 10.3% . participate in a professional or student government organization 18.8% 28.6% 26.1% N 329 969 1298 December 2012 Page 3 INstitutional Effectiveness INsights Senior Survey ~ continued More than three quarters of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with Ball State overall and with the quality of instruc- tion in their major, class size, computer resources, and library resources. Results for many satisfaction items varied signifi- cantly by college. College of Applied Sciences and Technology; Teachers College; and College of Communication, Information, and Media respondents tended to have higher levels of satisfaction on some items than did respondents in other colleges. Percent Satisfied or Very Satisfied With Ball State Experience INstitutional Effectiveness INsights Page 4 December 2012 Senior Survey ~ continued About three quarters (74.3%) indicated it is likely they would be employed or seeking employment after graduation. About 19% reported they will likely attend graduate or professional school. Minority respondents were more likely than white respondents to indicate that they plan to earn a master’s or doctoral degree. Male respondents were more likely than female respondents to indicate they have interviewed or accepted a job offer. Plans to complete a master’s or doctoral degree varied widely by college, with a high of 62% in the College of Architecture and Planning and 60% in the College of Sciences and Humanities to a low of 21% in the College of Communication, Information, and Media. Principle Activity Upon Graduation by Semester Fall Spring Total What is likely to be your principle activity upon graduation, Employment N 253 285 538 based on your current 77.8% 30.4% 42.7% situation? Seeking employment* N 0 399 399 .0% 42.6% 31.6% Graduate or N 52 182 234 professional school 16.0% 19.4% 18.6% Additional undergraduate N 2 6 8 coursework Military service N 3 9 12 .9% 1.0% 1.0% Volunteer activity N 1 10 11 (e.g., Peace Corps) .3% 1.1% .9% Starting or raising N 3 7 10 a family* .9% .7% .8% Starting a business* N 0 6 6 .0% .6% .5% Other, please specify N 11 22 33 Don’t know (no plans) N 0 10 10 .0% 1.1% .8% N 325 936 1261 Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% *These response options were added in Spring 2012. A few cases for Fall 2011 are recoded from write-in responses on “Other.” INstitutional Effectiveness INsights Page 5 December 2012 Senior Survey ~ continued Which best describes your plans for further education after graduation? Fall Spring Total no plans for further college-level 55 177 232 education 17.0% 18.9% 18.4% unsure of future education plans 98 260 358 30.2% 27.7% 28.4% plan to complete more courses, 8 13 21 but not towards a degree 2.5% 1.4% 1.7% plan to earn another 7 22 29 Bachelor’s Degree 2.2% 2.3% 2.3% plan to earn a Master’s or 145 435 580 doctoral degree 44.8% 46.4% 46.0% plan to earn a medical, law, 11 31 42 or other professional degree 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% Total 324 938 1262 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% The majority of additional open-ended comments were general statements of satisfaction with graduation and completing degree requirements. Many students commented on their major or minor department. Other areas that were often mentioned by respondents were academic advising, faculty, career and educa- tional advancement, and parking services. MAP-Works Regarding core academic and adaptation behaviors, nearly The Fall 2012 MAP-Works transition and check-up surveys all respondents reported that at least half of the time they were completed by new first-year students, new transfer are the kind of person who attends class, takes good notes students, and second-year students. The following responses in class, or turns in required homework assignments. to the transition survey provide a profile of first-year stu- In regard to more advanced academic behaviors, about 9 dents at Ball State: out of 10 respondents stated that at least half of the time About 7 out of 10 respondents reported that Ball State they are the kind of person who participates in class or was their first choice among the institutions that admit- works on large projects well in advance of the due date.