KU News Release

LAWRENCE — First-year students and seniors are encouraged to participate in a national survey that could help shape the future of the University of Kansas.

Those students will receive an e-mail today from Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little inviting them to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement. Results of the survey will be used by KU and other schools across the country to improve undergraduate experiences.

“The NSSE has been invaluable to KU in helping the university understand the experience of KU students,” said Barbara Romzek, interim vice provost for academic affairs. “We know that engaged learning experiences contribute to student retention and graduation, which are important goals for the university. Equally important, students who have engaged learning experiences are much more likely to retain what they learn long beyond their time in the class.”

KU participated in survey in 2001, 2004 and 2007. Results of those surveys can be found on the Office of Institutional Research and Planning Web site.

Previously, only a sample of first-year students and seniors were surveyed. This year, all of those students are invited to participate.

“We’re excited about this next survey because it will allow us to explore the dynamics of student engagement more deeply that we've been able to do thus far," Romzek said.

The e-mailed invitations include instructions on how to access the online survey.