NSSE: Clemson strong in overall education satisfaction

Published: November 18, 2010

CLEMSON — Clemson University seniors and freshmen continue to report they would choose Clemson again if given the opportunity to start over in higher education.

In the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), 92 percent of seniors said they would choose Clemson again, compared to 88 percent at Clemson’s peer institutions. Ninety-three percent of the freshmen would choose Clemson again, compared to 92 percent at peer schools. The number has remained higher than peer institutions since Clemson voluntarily began participating in the survey seven years ago.

Clemson’s peer institutions include Auburn University, Boston College, Iowa State, Miami University-Oxford, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Texas A&M and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

A highlight of this year’s survey results is the increase in student-faculty interaction and research. Forty-five percent of Clemson seniors reported having worked with faculty outside of the required class time. This number is higher than the 34 percent of seniors at Clemson’s peer institutions.

“It is significant to note the seniors were not required to work with faculty,” said David Knox, director of institutional assessment at Clemson. “This is a result of the experiences the students have had in the Creative Inquiry program. They are interested in conducting research and learning beyond the classroom.”

Creative Inquiry exposes students to research and faculty interaction that many continue beyond what is required. Projects span all five colleges and include such research as butterfly biology, virtual world development and issues in sustainable consumption.

“Students believe the Creative Inquiry experience helps them think and learn in new ways. Specifically, they are exposed to new fundamental approaches, creative design and preparations for research and inquiry,” said Barbara Speziale, program director.

Clemson continues to receive high marks for its supportive campus environment and overall educational experience – 65.2 percent of seniors report a supportive campus environment; and 96 percent of freshmen and 95 percent of seniors evaluate their entire education experience at Clemson as excellent/good.

Knox said the high percentages are the result of more students taking advantage of opportunities that include the Academic Success Center, living-learning communities, Creative Inquiry and increased student-faculty interaction.

The National Survey of Student Engagement obtains information annually from hundreds of four-year colleges and universities nationwide about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. Survey items on The National Survey of Student Engagement represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education. They reflect behaviors by students and institutions that are associated with desired outcomes of college. For more information about NSSE, go to http://nsse.iub.edu/.

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