The Tiger

According to recent survey results, University students should proud of their Clemson education.

The findings, from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), showed that those surveyed feel Clemson provides a level of education superior to that of its fellow institutions.

The annual report measures satisfaction among freshmen and seniors and is administered by the University via e-mail each spring.

This year, Clemson students said they are taught in an intellectually stimulating environment and are given opportunities to work with professors and other students in non-traditional classroom settings.

Students also said they feel the University is committed to helping them succeed.

The NSSE includes a review of how students perceive Clemson supports them in the categories of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment.

After comparing Clemson's results against those from other national doctoral-extensive universities, the NSSE found Clemson scored better than peer universities in most of the categories and at least as well in the others.

"The results indicate that Clemson is on the right track in many areas that matter to students," said Debra B. Jackson, University vice provost and assistant to the president.

Ninety-three percent of the freshmen who responded gave Clemson a favorable evaluation, and 91 percent of seniors said they would choose Clemson again if they could restart their college career.

More than 1,100 randomly chosen students participated in the survey.

Eighty-nine percent of freshmen also said they feel that Clemson strongly emphasizes academics and reported that the University is invested in their success.

Jackson said she hopes the results will show not only what Clemson has succeeded in doing, but also what Clemson can improve on to ensure students have the best possible educational experience.

"Using the results we can determine where we need to place emphasis or make changes to improve students' opportunities at Clemson," said Jackson.

"We have used the NSSE results to improve student engagement."

Past NSSE surveys have lead to the creation of Clemson's creative inquiry (CI) projects to foster engagement between students and faculty and to improve students' problem solving and critical thinking skills.

The success of the CI program has allowed students to submit their project findings for publication, research posters and national presentations.

According to Jackson, the NSSE results are currently being examined to reveal what areas Clemson needs to make progress.

Among the improvements already being considered are those that target advising, student-faculty research, technologically enhanced classrooms, the inclusion of diversity in undergraduate curriculum, student and staff interactions and increased participation in study abroad.

"For example, one area of weakness was having serious conversations with students of another race or ethnicity," said Jackson.

To address this, Clemson's Office of Student Affairs introduced a performance measure to provide more opportunities for students to meet and discuss with others from different backgrounds.

Research conducted by the survey's sponsor, Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research, indicates that universities that provide students with engaging activities and interaction with faculty and peers have higher retention, graduation and satisfaction rates.

Complete NSSE results from 722 four-year colleges can be found in the Promoting Engagement for All Students: The Imperative to Look Within report.

Having prided itself on its commitment to student involvement for years, Clemson is honored to have its work recognized and appreciated through this ranking.

A summarized version of Clemson's survey findings is available online at http://www.clemson.edu/academics/nsse/groups.html.

Looking to the future, Clemson hopes to further engage faculty and students in research and extracurricular activities, building upon the quest to become a Top 20 institution.

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