EditNational Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
Housed at Indiana University,
NSSE has been used by colleges and universities since 1999. The first pilot study of NSSE involved more than 75 institutions. Participation more than tripled for its inaugural launch in 2000 and then tripled again by 2008. The purpose of NSSE is for the institution to learn how their undergraduates spend their time and what is gained from attending college. The institution is then able to compare their results to other institutions nationally. NSSE results in data that can be used to enhance the student experience and for decision making.
NSSE measures student participation in academic and co-curricular programs and activities. It also has five benchmarks, which can be compared with other institutions and the national average. They are:
- Level of academic challenge
- Active and collaborative learning
- Student - faculty interaction
- Enriching educational experiences
- Supportive campus environment
Institutions have the choice of participating in NSSE annually for a fee based on the enrollment size of the institution. Institutions can also participate in several other related assessment projects:
- BCSSE (Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement)
- CCSSE (Community College Survey of Student Engagement)
- FSSE (Faculty Survey of Student Engagement)
- LSSSE (Law School Survey of Student Engagement)
EditCooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP)
CIRP was first used in 1966, and is the largest and longest running national assessment study. Administered by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, the CIRP Freshman Survey is designed to provide information on incoming first-year students to colleges and universities. Used in conjunction with Your First College Year Survey and the College Senior Survey, CIRP is a valuable tool for institutions to have longitudinal data to measure change over time.
The CIRP Freshman Survey is administered at orientation or registration and provides a snapshot of the incoming class prior to experiencing college. The survey examines:
- Established behaviors in high school
- Academic preparedness
- Admissions decisions
- Expectations of college
- Interactions with peers and faculty
- Student values and goals
- Student demographic characteristics
- Concerns about financing college
Traditionally administered on paper, a Web version was first available in 2008 and gives institutions more flexibility when administering the survey.
EditCORE Drug and Alcohol Survey
The
CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey has been used by colleges and universities since the late 1980s to determine the extent of substance use and abuse on campuses nationwide. Originally developed by the US Department of Higher Education and higher education advisors, the survey is now administered by the
Core Institute at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
CORE asks students a series of demographic questions along with questions regarding some of the following:
- Attitude towards alcohol or drugs at parties
- Knowledge about campus alcohol and drug policies
- Weekly alcohol consumption
- Binge drinking frequency
- Age of first use of tobacco, alcohol, and several specific kinds of drugs
- Frequency of use of tobacco, alcohol, and several specific kinds of drugs over the last year, and the last month
- Perception of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use by "the average student" on campus
- Frequency of ill effects from drinking or drug use over the past year, including hangovers, trouble at school or with the law, and trouble stopping use
- Whether the student has experienced some kind harassment or violence in the last year, and whether drugs or alcohol were involved
- Belief about the positive effects of drugs or alcohol, or the harmfulness of drugs or alcohol
- Perception of alcohol use on student's campus compared with other schools
- Availability and desirability of substance-free campus housing
- Changes in alcohol and drug consumption over the last year
- Pattern of combining alcohol or drugs, and sexual behavior
- Perception of positive environment on campus
- Whether others' drinking interferes with the student's life in any of several ways
CORE is administered via a paper survey. Also available for separate purchase are reports of the data collected for each institution. Additional data analysis services are available for institutions to purchase.
EditNational College Health Assessment (NCHA)
The
National College Health Assessment (NCHA) is a nationally recognized survey about students’ health habits, behaviors, and perceptions. The American College Health Association (ACHA) hosts the assessment project and data, as well as providing the platform for interdisciplinary team of college health professionals to provide feedback on the further development of the NCHA.
While national surveys of college students focus on a single topic area, the NCHA provides an assessment of the widest range of health issues:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
- Sexual health
- Weight, nutrition, and exercise
- Mental health
- Personal safety and violence
Previously distributed entirely on paper, the NCHA is now available online for ease of administration. Any higher education institution can participate, although the price differ based on membership with ACHA, and each participating institution receives a Reports Package containing the institutional data and reference materials.
EditACUHO-I
The
Association of College and University Housing Offices - International (ACUHO-I) worked with a private benchmarking services company to bring three national assessment projects focused on providing “insight into student perceptions and to demonstrate to students that their perceptions are important.” The three assessment projects are:
- Resident Assessment
- Student Staff Assessment
- Apartment Assessment
ACUHO-I developed the assessment projects using the CAS standards.
EditProfile of the American College Student
The
Profile of the Today’s College Student was designed through a collaborative effort by NASPA and
StudentVoice to “provide institutions with a descriptive portrait of students at all levels, from first year to senior year.” The survey requires completion of an extensive demographic section, as well as four out of nine randomly selected sections. An institution-specific section is optional. The nine additional sections include:
- Academic involvement
- Academic integrity
- Campus involvement
- Health and wellness
- Technology use
- Media consumption
- Diversity issues
- Values and beliefs
- Future aspirations
Participation is available to any higher education institution and fees are based on enrollment size, NASPA membership, and StudentVoice membership. The assessment is administered January through mid-March each year.