National Survey of Student Engagement
September 2007
The University of Alaska Fairbanks cares deeply about the academic and social needs of our students. UAF Student and Enrollment Services has a special mission to assess and respond to our students’ needs. A growing research body indicates that positive student engagement--the degree to which students are holistically involved in, supported by and identify with their educational experience—is a primary factor in ensuring student success during their postsecondary studies.
In the late summer and early fall of 2006, SES sought methods to clearly measure the kind and degree of student engagement at UAF and elected to conduct the National Survey of Student Engagement. With the support of the Staff Council and Faculty Senate, Vice Chancellor Tim Barnett applied for and received special funding from UA President Hamilton’s office to conduct the survey during the spring 2007 semester.
Invitations to participate in the survey were distributed to a random sample of first-year and senior students. Faculty and staff of the university also encouraged students to participate through in-class announcements and the posting of fliers, posters and public service announcements. In all, 211 freshmen and 325 seniors participated in the survey and the results were available in August 2007.
SES, in conjunction with the provost’s office, is forming a committee consisting of students, faculty and staff members to review these data and recommend the most effective and appropriate course of action. The committee has the following goals:
- recommend budget allocations to enhance student engagement
- refine the focus of existing programs
- create services to increase student engagement
These results are, of course, central to our mission as Alaska’s premier undergraduate institution producing our state’s future leaders, while at the same time serving the social and economic needs of our current neighbors.
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