For the eighth consecutive year, Meredith has participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement, and once again students have given the College high marks. First-year and senior students participate in this survey, allowing evaluation of experiences and satisfaction levels both early and late in their educational program. Meredith had a strong response rate of 48% on NSSE 2007; the average institutional response rate was 36%.

For a comparison of Meredith students’ benchmark scores to those of the national sample in the five areas of effective educational practice identified by NSSE, as well as information about those areas, visit www.meredith.edu/about/nsse. All of Meredith’s mean benchmark scores were significantly above the national averages. First-year students posted scores that were at or in the top ten percent nationally in all five benchmark areas and seniors, in four out of the five.

On several questions that pertain to various benchmarks, more than 80% of Meredith’s first-year (FY) and senior (SR) students gave the higher ratings available.

Meredith students responded “quite a bit” or “very much”:
	FY		SR
Courses emphasized analyzing ideas, experiences, or theories	86%		82%
Courses emphasized applying theories or concepts to problems	85%		82%
Institution emphasized time studying/academic work	92%		93%
Institution provided support to help you succeed academically	93%		86%

Meredith students responded “plan to do” or “done”:
	FY		SR
Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op, etc.	84%		83%
Community service or volunteer work	92%		89%
Foreign language coursework	84%		84%

Meredith students gave 5 – 7 ratings (on a 1 – 7 scale):
	FY		SR
Quality of relationships with other students	80%		87%
Quality of relationships with faculty members	90%		89%

On many other survey questions the ratings were equally positive. Some are listed below.

Institution contributed “quite a bit” or “very much” to knowledge, skills and personal development in
	FY		SR
acquiring a broad general education	90%		93%
writing clearly and effectively	86%		85%
thinking critically and analytically	85%		90%

Institution emphasized “quite a bit” or “very much”
	FY		SR
using computers in academic work	89%		91%

Student satisfaction rating of “good” or “excellent”
	FY		SR
Evaluate your entire educational experience (at MC)	91%		92%

Meredith’s scores were significantly stronger than the national average on many individual NSSE questions including ones concerning institutional encouragement of contact among students from different economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds, contributing to the welfare of your community, and attending campus events and activities.

Meredith joined 20 other women’s colleges in asking some additional questions, often with significantly higher results. Meredith was definitely seen by both first-year and senior students as inviting more presenters (speakers, performers, artists, etc.) who provide additional perspectives on women’s issues and accomplishments and as strongly encouraging a study abroad experience.

For more information about NSSE, visit its Web site at http://www.nsse.iub.edu. Questions and comments about Meredith’s NSSE information can be directed to nsse@meredith.edu.