1. Christopher Cyphers  2006 NSSE and Accreditation Self-Study Christopher Cyphers, Ph.D. Provost School of Visual Arts New York, New York

2. Christopher Cyphers  2006 SVA at a glance Location: Manhattan Carnegie: Specialized Degrees: BFA, MFA, MTA, MPS Physical plant: 675,000 ft 2 Beds: 1,100 Location: Manhattan Carnegie: Specialized Degrees: BFA, MFA, MTA, MPS Physical plant: 675,000 ft 2 Beds: 1,100 First-time, full-time freshmen: 661 % female: 56.6 % full-time: 100 % in-state: 34.8 % on campus: 65.4 % international: 10.6 States represented: 36 Countries represented: 14 First-time persistence rate (2005 cohort): 86.4% First-time graduation rate (2000 cohort): 65% UG enrollment: 3,100 GR enrollment: 407 % female: 52.6 % full-time: 93.4 % on campus: 32.8 % international: 13.4 States represented: 45 Countries represented: 47

3. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Demand for greater accountability

4. Christopher Cyphers  2006... but not just from official bodies

5. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Greater emphasis on assessment Learning in the major Written, oral, critical thinking, analytical skills Written, oral, critical thinking, analytical skills Academic advisement Student support services Foundation for lifelong learning Co- and extracurricular learning

6. Christopher Cyphers  2006 The assessment universe

7. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Let’s do it You commit to administering NSSE You achieve a healthy response rate You receive your results in a smart and tidy package You proudly take your results binder to your president, and he says:

8. Christopher Cyphers  2006

9. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Okay.... Now what? “This is great... what do we do with it”?

10. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Why NSSE? Focused on students’ academic and student life experience, better than comparable instruments. Focused on students’ academic and student life experience, better than comparable instruments. NSSE embraced by Middle States Commission on Higher education. NSSE embraced by Middle States Commission on Higher education. Numerous opportunities to benchmark institution’s data against peer groups. Numerous opportunities to benchmark institution’s data against peer groups. NSSE generated benchmark scores, “standardized” so as to Comparisons over time. NSSE generated benchmark scores, “standardized” so as to Comparisons over time.

11. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Comparative value of NSSE data Institutional Scores Across Time Institutional Scores Against Peer Groups First-Year versus Seniors

12. Christopher Cyphers  2006 How does SVA compare to... SVA Independent Art Schools (AICAD) Independent Art Schools (AICAD) NSSE-Selected Carnegie Peers NSSE-Selected Carnegie Peers All NSSE Respondents

13. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Linking NSSE data to other data sources Institutional Date NSSE Data Other Assessment Data Other Assessment Data Multidimensional Dataset Multidimensional Dataset

14. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Use of NSSE for Middle States accreditation Standard 7: Institutional Assessment Standard 12: General Education Standard 14: Learning Outcomes Assessment Standard 9: Student Support Services Standard 10: Faculty Standard 11: Educational Offerings

15. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Institutional assessment Using mean scores to make comparisons across peer groups

16. Christopher Cyphers  2006 What to consider Effect size Statistical significance Statistical significance Class year

17. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Student support services NSSE Items: Students’ perception of institutional emphasis (1=very little, 2=some, 3=quite a bit, 4=very much) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Providing support to help you succeed academically.FY SR 2.82 2.75 3.01* 2.81 3.02** 2.99*** 2.99* 2.87 Encouraging contact among students from different backgrounds. FY SR 2.55 2.48 2.62 2.31 2.52 2.44 2.57 2.40 Helping cope with non-academic responsibilities.FY SR 1.94 1.77 2.02 1.80 2.15** 2.03** 2.13* 1.91 Providing support needed to thrive socially.FY SR 2.12 1.96 2.26 1.93 2.34** 2.21** 2.37** 2.14** Attending campus events and activities.FY SR 2.63 2.47 2.90** 2.81*** 2.75 2.59 2.75 2.57 Using computers in academic work.FY SR 3.16 3.41 3.20 3.38 3.26 3.44 3.32* 3.47 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

18. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Student life NSSE Items: Frequency with which student did the following (1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, 4=very often) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Attended an art exhibit, gallery, play, dance, or other theatre performance. FY SR 3.21 3.12 3.06 3.16 2.03*** 1.95*** 2.10*** 2.00*** Exercised or participated in physical fitness activities.FY SR 2.04 2.22 2.33** 2.42* 2.69*** 2.60*** 2.77*** 2.70*** Participated in activities to enhance your spirituality (worship, meditation, prayer). FY SR 1.69 1.77 1.80 1.86 2.17*** 2.32*** 2.09*** 2.18*** Examined the strengths and weaknesses of your own views on a topic or issue. FY SR 2.77 2.91 2.88 3.09* 2.53** 2.66*** 2.57* 2.69** Tried to better understand someone else’s views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her perspective. FY SR 2.89 2.98 3.06 3.14* 2.70* 2.78** 2.74 2.83* Learned something that changed the way you understand an issue or concept. FY SR 3.02 3.10 3.14 3.11 2.76*** 2.82*** 2.80** 2.87*** *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

19. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Personal development NSSE Items: Experience at institution contributed to the following areas (1=very little, 2=some, 3=quite a bit, 4=very much) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Acquiring a broad general education.FY SR 2.69 2.74 2.77 2.68 3.05*** 3.26*** 3.12*** 3.24*** Learning effectively on your own.FY SR 2.87 3.25 3.01 3.15 2.83 3.01** 2.85 3.00*** Understanding yourself.FY SR 2.87 3.12 3.03 3.09 2.68* 2.80*** 2.71 2.78*** Contributing to the welfare of your community.FY SR 1.89 1.87 2.18** 2.02 2.33*** 2.45*** 2.34*** 2.42*** Developing a deepened sense of spirituality.FY SR 1.86 1.92 1.84 1.68 2.13** 2.07 2.05 1.92 Voting in local, state, or national elections.FY SR 1.41 2.18 1.47 1.85*** 2.06 1.92*** 2.10 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

20. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Faculty NSSE Items: Frequency with which students did the following (1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, 4=very often) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor.FY SR 2.50 2.67 2.73** 2.89** 2.64 2.87** 2.56 2.79 Talked about career plans with a faculty member or Advisor. FY SR 1.97 2.71 2.11 2.63 2.18* 2.55 2.11 2.40*** Discussed ideas from readings or classes with faculty member outside of class. FY SR 1.95 2.34 2.04 2.29 1.87 2.16* 1.81 2.08** Received prompt feedback on academic performance (written or oral). FY SR 2.69 2.91 2.83 2.79 2.61 2.85 2.58 2.76* Worked harder than you thought to meet an instructor’s standards or expectations. FY SR 2.74 2.99 3.04** 3.04 2.62 2.76** 2.58* 2.69** (Positive) relationship with faculty members.FY SR 5.40 5.44 5.51 5.46 5.36 5.70* 5.19 5.42 Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework. FY SR 1.38 1.81 1.55* 1.79 1.66** 1.91 1.56* 1.81

21. Christopher Cyphers  2006 General Education NSSE Items: Degree to which institution has contributed to the following (1=very little, 2=some, 3=quite a bit, 4=very much) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Writing clearly and effectively.FY SR 2.43 2.47 2.54 2.40 2.99*** 3.14*** 2.95*** 3.07*** Speaking clearly and effectively.FY SR 2.40 2.54 2.50 2.71 2.84*** 3.07*** 2.75*** 2.96*** Thinking critically and analytically.FY SR 3.04 3.30 3.34*** 3.37 3.14 3.34 3.16 3.33 Analyzing quantitative problems.FY SR 2.35 2.57 2.55 2.45 2.84*** 3.05*** 2.86*** 3.02*** Using computing and information technology.FY SR 3.07 3.15 2.92 3.12 2.95 3.19*** 2.92 3.14*** *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

22. Christopher Cyphers  2006 General education, II NSSE Items: Time during the school year spent reading and writing (1=none, 2=1-4, 3=5-10, 4=11-20, 5=20+) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings. FY SR 3.11 2.82 3.00 2.73 3.14 3.13*** 3.26* 3.18*** Number of books read on your own (not assigned) for personal enjoyment or academic enrichment. FY SR 2.34 2.73 2.31 2.59 2.09** 2.21*** 2.06** 2.21*** Number of written papers or reports 20 or more pages. FY SR 1.23 1.38 1.22 1.32 1.28 1.67*** 1.25 1.64*** Number of written papers or reports between 5 and 20 pages. FY SR 2.03 2.08 2.16 2.09 2.21* 2.57*** 2.29*** 2.59*** Number of written papers or reports fewer than 5 pages. FY SR 3.02 2.34 2.96 2.65*** 3.03 2.90*** 3.05 2.98*** To what extent have your examinations during the current school year challenged you to do your best work? FY SR 4.96 5.22 5.51*** 5.32 5.41*** 5.51** 5.42*** 5.41 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

23. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Assessment in the major or general education NSSE Items: Degree to which coursework has emphasized the following ((1=very little, 2=some, 3=quite a bit, 4=very much) Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods for courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form. FY SR 2.38 2.16 2.33 2.08 2.87*** 2.78*** 2.87*** 2.74*** Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its components. FY SR 3.03 3.19 3.31*** 3.27 2.99 3.19 3.06 3.22 Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships. FY SR 2.88 3.18 3.17*** 3.29 2.76 3.00** 2.83 3.01* Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions. FY SR 2.90 3.14 3.06 3.08 2.78 2.95** 2.82 2.94** Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations. FY SR 3.03 3.39 3.27** 3.29 2.94 3.19** 2.98 3.17** *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

24. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Overall satisfaction/quality of relationships NSSE Items: (1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=excellent)Class Year SVAAICADCarnegi e Peers All NSSE Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you received at your institution? FY SR 2.86 2.91 2.93 2.76 3.01 2.99 2.94 2.82 How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution? FY SR 3.22 3.25 3.39* 3.23 3.10 3.19 3.16 3.19 If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending (1=definitely no, 2=probably no, 3=probably yes, 4=definitely yes)? FY SR 3.37 3.32 3.39 3.21 3.10** 3.13* 3.20* 3.17* Relationships with other students (1=unfriendly, 7=friendly, supportive, sense of belonging). FY SR 5.13 5.39 5.21 5.51* 5.78** 5.48 5.60 Relationships with faculty members (1=unfriendly, 7=friendly, supportive, sense of belonging). FY SR 5.40 5.44 5.51 5.46 5.36 5.70* 5.19 5.42 Relationships with administrative personnel and offices (1=unfriendly, 7=friendly, supportive, sense of belonging). FY SR 4.46 4.41 4.66 4.32 4.79* 4.60 4.50 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

25. Christopher Cyphers  2006 NSSE benchmark scores Concise summaries of data along five measurement scales

26. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Level of Academic Challenge

27. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Active & Collaborative Learning

28. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Student-Faculty Interaction

29. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Enriching Educational Experience

30. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Supportive Campus Environment

31. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Benchmark scores over time BenchmarkClass2003200420052006 Level of Academic Challenge FY SR 52.0 49.9 59.8 54.5 53.6 50.7 54.6 Active & Collaborative Learning FY SR 41.4 41.0 40.7 42.0 44.6 42.3 43.4 46.1 Student- Faculty Interaction FY SR 35.0 47.0 35.7 44.3 39.2 48.2 36.7 49.3 Supportive Campus Environment FY SR 54.3 51.5 56.4 54.6 54.7 57.2 54.8 53.4

32. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Dissecting benchmark scales Level of Academic Challenge (SVA) Item 1 Item 4 Item 1 Item 3 Item 5Item 6 Item 2 Major Field Gender Residence GPA First-Year Prgm

33. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Differences based on major NSSE BenchmarkClas s AdvertAnimComputer Art Film/Vide o CartoonFine ArtsGraphic Design Illustratio n Photo Academic Challenge* FY SR 53.9 9 62.1 3 53.2 9 54.4 7 52.43 49.98 51.48 50.50 48.43 42.43 43.39 60.60 52.46 58.91 46.50 55.06 46.39 52.29 Active and Collaborate Learning*** FY SR 44.4 4 51.5 8 45.2 3 49.2 0 42.85 40.47 51.83 53.12 39.91 34.88 30.78 45.73 38.26 50.76 38.09 38.30 39.82 42.64 Student-Faculty Interaction* FY SR 32.2 2 50.9 2 39.3 5 43.4 3 27.77 41.91 39.70 48.41 26.66 40.22 27.27 43.79 30.00 48.91 25.69 36.71 28.53 42.30 Enriching Educational Experience* FY SR 27.7 5 36.5 7 29.0 3 44.4 8 25.77 35.10 33.89 42.17 25.58 29.36 24.42 38.97 28.13 40.76 20.98 33.98 24.27 42.85 Supportive Campus Environment* FY SR 60.7 4 62.5 0 49.5 3 52.2 7 58.33 57.07 56.33 48.67 52.94 45.83 49.49 58.15 55.18 58.01 46.52 46.25 51.98 50.96 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

34. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Differences based on first-year program NSSE BenchmarkClas s Common Foundation Departmental Foundation Academic ChallengeFY SR 47.99 56.36 51.71 53.01 Active and Collaborate Learning** FY SR 37.28 44.58 45.93 47.63 Student-Faculty InteractionFY SR 27.35 43.75 33.07 44.51 Enriching Educational Experience FY SR 24.76 37.31 28.22 41.08 Supportive Campus Environment FY SR 51.12 53.37 56.10 53.56 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

35. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Differences based on Gender NSSE BenchmarkClassFemaleMale Academic ChallengeFY SR 48.48 56.97 52.83 51.94 Active and Collaborate Learning* FY SR 39.36 45.81 47.18 46.34 Student-Faculty InteractionFY SR 29.61 44.00 32.70 44.24 Enriching Educational Experience FY SR 26.12 40.57 28.02 37.24 Supportive Campus Environment FY SR 51.48 55.18 57.99 51.36 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001 Persistence rates are generally higher for men than women. However, women enjoy a higher 6-year graduation rate.

36. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Differences based on local residency NSSE BenchmarkClassResidentCommuter Academic ChallengeFY50.3750.18 Active and Collaborate Learning*FY42.1443.48 Student-Faculty Interaction***FY30.9430.87 Enriching Educational Experience**FY28.4224.56 Supportive Campus EnvironmentFY52.5756.80 *p <.05, **p <.01, ***p <.001

37. Christopher Cyphers  2006 Christopher Cyphers School of Visual Arts 209 East 23 Street New York, NY 10010 ccyphers@sva.edu 212-592-2550