Contents
- National Survey of Student Engagement
- PEARL Updates
- E.N. Thompson Forum Series Changing Nature Continues in February
- UCARE Deadline for AY 2008-09
- OASIS Events for February 2008
Special Announcement
National Survey of Student Engagement
In the spring 2007, UNL participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) for the third time. All first-year and senior students at UNL received this survey designed to obtain information about student participation in programs and activities that represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education. That is, they reflect behaviors by students and institutions that are associated with desired outcomes of college.
Some very positive trends in the student responses over time are observable. In all three NSSE administrations, a higher percentage of UNL seniors reported working with a faculty member on a research project outside of course and program requirements than their peers at like institutions (Doctoral-Research Extensive). In addition, first-year responses in 2007 indicate a higher percentage of our first-year students say they plan to work on research with faculty than did their first-year peers at like institutions. This result is a testament to our faculty who are willing to involve undergraduates in their research and to formal programs like UCARE for pairing faculty and students. Another positive trend is the increase in first-year student responses to items about a supportive campus environment. In 2007, first-year respondents said UNL emphasized academic support, social support, and help coping with non-academic responsibilities significantly more than first-year respondents in 2002 and 2004 NSSE administrations.
A less positive response in 2007 that mirrors national trends on NSSE indicates students are spending less time studying and more time working than is ideal. To gain better insight into this issue we will conduct a focused analysis of NSSE and other institutional datasets to determine what factors contribute to time spent working and the impact that activity has on their engagement in good practices in undergraduate education. We hope this analysis helps us learn more about how we can encourage students to balance time spent working and time spent engaging in the rich educational opportunities that UNL provides.
-- Jessica Jonson, Director of Institutional Assessment
Announcements and Events
PEARL Updates
Appreciation for Nancy Mitchell's service to PEARL
Nancy Mitchell has been appointed as the Interim Director of General Education in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. Due to her changing responsibilities, she will no longer be serving on the PEARL Steering Committee. Nancy has served on the PEARL Steering Committee since 2006 and was instrumental in facilitating a smooth transition to the PEARL system for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Thank you, Nancy, for your hard work and dedication to the PEARL Steering Committee!
Welcome for Frauke Hachtmann
Frauke Hachtmann, Assistant Professor in Advertising in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, has joined the PEARL Steering Committee. Frauke has been active in PEARL over the last two years as a PEARL Program Leader for the Advertising program. Thank you for agreeing to serve in this way and welcome to the PEARL Steering Committee!
E.N. Thompson Forum Series Changing Nature Continues in February
On Tuesday, February 12, physicist Amory Lovins, cofounder, chairman and chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, will deliver the Lewis E. Harris Lecture on Public Policy, "Winning the Oil Endgame". The Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org) is an independent "think-and-do-tank" that helps individuals and organizations use energy and resources efficiently while being better stewards of the environment. Published in 29 books and hundreds of papers, Lovins' work has been recognized by a MacArthur Fellowship and a Time magazine Hero for the Planet award.
W. Cecil Steward, dean emeritus of the UNL College of Architecture and president and CEO of the Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities, will deliver a lecture pre-talk prior to Lovins' lecture.
On Monday, February 25, the "Green Evangelist", Richard Cizik, will deliver "For God's Sake." As vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, Cizik is a Washington lobbyist and leading proponent of "creation care," the philosophy that caring for the planet and all it holds is biblically mandated duty. Although environmentalism is often associated with a liberal political agenda, Cizik considers himself conservative both politically and religiously.
Rev. Stephen Griffith, Minister to the Community at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Lincoln will give the pre-talk.
Both lectures will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12& R Streets. The lecture pre-talks begin at 6:30 in the Steinhart Room at the Lied Center. Thompson Forum lectures are free and open to the public. New this year, free tickets are required for all lectures. Tickets for both lectures are still available at the Lied Center ticket office - stop in or call 2-4747.
More information about both speakers and links to articles are available at http://enthompson.unl.edu.
UCARE Deadline for AY 2008-09
UCARE applications for 2008-09 are due February 15, 2008. Faculty: please send your UCARE opportunities for 2008-09 to ucare@unlnotes.unl.edu to be included on the UCARE Opportunities webpage (www.unl.edu/ucare/positions.shtml). Include a description of the position and your contact information. For more information or to discuss the feasibility of a proposal please contact Laura Damuth, Director of Undergraduate Research at 472-5024 or email Ldamuth1@unl.edu.
OASIS Events for February 2008
- February 7 - Exploring the Work of Black Scholars, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Culture Center
- February 8 - NU Connections Valentine's Party, 6:00 p.m., Culture Center
- February 21 - I Get Money: The Lowdown on Loans, Grants and other College Expenses, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Culture Center
Contact the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services (OASIS) for more information.
Office of Undergraduate Studies |
(402) 472-1185 |
Dr. Rita Kean, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Textiles, Clothing and Design
Jamar Banks, Director of OASIS
Dr. Patrice Berger, Director of NU Honors Program and Professor of History
Dr. Laura Damuth, Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Adviser
Dr. Donald Gregory, Director of General Studies and Associate Professor of English
Gail Hackwith, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Jessica Jonson, Director of Institutional Assessment
David McGee, Administrative Technician I
JoAnn Moseman, Academic Transfer Coordinator
Jeremy Penn, Assessment Associate for PEARL
Marcia White, E.N. Thompson Coordinator and Political Science Adviser
AnnMarie Williams, Academic Learning Communities Coordinator
