Student-Faculty Interaction
The University of Cincinnati (UC), a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, uses NSSE results to assess ongoing initiatives and establish new ones. In response to student satisfaction and technology use scores, the university established a “One-Stop Service Center” and provided students with 24-hour access to selected computer labs. UC has also used NSSE results to inform curriculum planning as it has expanded learning community offerings. Additionally, NSSE participation and data have been used to fulfill assessment requirements for the Ohio Needs Grant, a student success grant with funding tied to institutional improvement and new program evaluation.
When asked about the primary use of NSSE data, Caroline Miller, Senior Associate Vice President and Associate Provost for Enrollment Management, replied, “We use it to inform staffing decisions and to determine student satisfaction levels and the quality of services and experiences (academic and social) students have—particularly in regards to diversity matters.” NSSE results are shared on campus with individual colleges and student affairs units, enrollment management, and committees and task forces. These groups use NSSE in conjunction with other data to assess specific areas such as recruitment, retention, student satisfaction, and involvement and participation levels based on race and gender. NSSE results are also regularly included in the President’s Report Cards, www.uc.edu/reportcard, a publicly-available document published for the Board of Trustees intended to show university performance on key indicators.
