Academic Administration

NSSE

NSSE

Infographic

Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NSSE?

A survey instrument that collects information about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for learning and personal development. Results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college.

What does NSSE ask?

The NSSE asks undergraduates about their in‐ and out‐of‐class activities, what they feel they have gained from classes, their assessment of the quality of interactions with faculty and students, and other educational activities (e.g. undergraduate research, study abroad, & internships). This year PUC in consortium with other Adventist colleges and universities is piloting an additional module with questions, which help to determine how well the College is fulfilling its mission.

Who has participated?

Since its implementation in 2000, more than 1,300 four‐year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada have administered the NSSE. NSSE reports 619 institutions will participate in the spring of 2013.

When has PUC participated?

Springs of 2008 and 2011 – this will be the third time and the first time in a consortium with other SDA schools.  The plan is to administer NSSE every other year.

Who is surveyed?

All first‐year and senior bachelor’s degree‐seeking students will receive an e-mail invitation to respond. Adult learners, full‐time and part‐time students, commuters and campus residents - all are included.

Why survey all students?

To disaggregate the data by “major field” (like natural sciences, arts and humanities, etc.) in a small college like PUC it is important to have enough responses and a significant response rate.

How will the survey be administered?

Students will receive an e-mail invitation from Academic Dean Dr. Nancy Lecourt asking them to complete the survey online.

How long will it take to complete?

The survey takes about 10‐15 minutes to complete.

When will the e-mails be sent?

Students will receive invitations in their PUC e-mail inboxes on the following dates:

  • Initial Invitation:  Tuesday, April 16
  • Reminder 1:  Wednesday, April 24
  • Reminder 2:  Thursday, May 2
  • Reminder 3:  Wednesday, May 8
  • Final Reminder:  Tuesday, May 14

(Reminders will only come to those who delay their response.)

When and what kind of results will be received?

PUC will receive the survey results in the summer of 2013. A comprehensive report will contain summaries of responses to individual questions, as well as combinations of responses organized into five benchmark scores that address:

  • Level of Academic Challenge
  • Active & Collaborative Learning
  • Student Faculty Interaction
  • Enriching Educational Experiences
  • Supportive Campus Environment

In addition, PUC will receive comparison responses for two peer groups of institutions (SDA in North America and West Coast private colleges) and for a special aspirational group.

Where can I see the results from previous years?

 http://www.puc.edu/about-puc/key-performance-indicators#nsse

How will the results be shared?

We plan to publish online much more. Besides that, results will be shared in special presentations to PUC faculty, Student Services personnel, Administration, and the Board of Trustees.

Can I see the survey now?

http://nsse.iub.edu/pdf/survey_instruments/2013/2013%20NSSE%20Instrument.pdf

Will my responses be confidential?

NSSE follows the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality. Individual responses will only be used for research purposes by personnel of the PUC Office of Institutional Research. Individual response data will never be shared with anybody outside the IR Office.

Where can I learn more?

http://nsse.iub.edu/