The First-Year Experience
Tarleton State University (Tarleton) has administered NSSE on a biennial basis since 2001 as a member of the Texas A&M University system. An ad hoc group of campus leaders holds ongoing discussions to review Tarleton’s NSSE results and compare its scores with other Texas A&M University institutions, institutions within its Carnegie classification, and the annual NSSE cohort.
In 2010, Tarleton administered BCSSE during new student orientation sessions then chose a local NSSE administration in the spring 2011 semester. Combined results from the surveys are being used to continue the assessment of the effectiveness of Duck Camp, a three-day, off-campus orientation program for first-year students designed to assist in the transition from high school to college and promote engagement. The initiative was created in 1995 to help first-year students develop friendships with their peers prior to the start of the academic year as well as learn about the opportunities and activities available at Tarleton. In 2010, approximately one-half of the incoming first-year class participated in the camp. A committee of student affairs, academic affairs, and enrollment management administrative staff has been examining BCSSE and NSSE data and other information about first-year student retention and satisfaction to better understand the camp and other orientation experiences on first-year student engagement. This effort to bring stakeholders from across campus to review assessment data has served as a model for increasing collaboration across the institution. Tarleton staff also hopes that disseminating information about the effectiveness of Duck Camp will promote more partnerships among campus departments and groups.
