NSSE 2007 - Supportive Campus Environment (SCE) Benchmark Score Results

2007 SCE Comparison with Peers

2007 SCE First-Year Peer Comparison

UNL first-year score for the Supportive Campus Environment (SCE) benchmark is similar to AAU and Carnegie peer first-year scores but significantly lower than the Big 12 first-year score (as noted by the asterisks in the graph above).

In comparison to all peer groups, UNL first-year respondents were more likely to have a positive relationship with administrative personnel and staff but less likely to perceive that the institution emphasizes help in coping with non-academic responsibilities. Peer differences on these two survey questions were similar on 2002 and 2004 NSSE.

In comparison with Big 12 first-year respondents, UNL first-year respondents were less likely to perceive institutional emphasis on providing help needed to succeed academically and providing help needed to thrive socially.

2007 SCE Senior Peer Comparison

UNL senior score for the SCE benchmark is significantly lower than senior scores for all three peer groups (as noted by the asterisk in the graph above).

In comparison to all peer groups, UNL senior respondents were less likely to perceive the institution emphasizes support needed to succeed academically, help in coping with non-academic responsibilities, and support needed to thrive socially. Peer differences on these two survey questions were similar on 2002 and 2004 NSSE.

In comparison with Big 12 senior respondents, UNL senior respondents were less likely to have a positive relationship with other student, faculty, and administrative personnel/offices.

Trend in SCE since 2002 NSSE

Over time the UNL SCE first-year score has not increased significantly, however, there is a clear upward trend in this score since 2002 (see chart below).

Perceptions about support to succeed academically, help in coping with non-academic responsibilities, and support to thrive socially contributed to the increase in the SCE score over time.

The UNL SCE senior score has not changed significantly over time and there is no clear trend. Senior responses regarding quality relationships with other students, faculty, administrative personnel/office were lower in 2007 than in 2004.

Trend in SCE since 2002

Contextual Interpretation of SCE Results

Although the SCE score results suggest UNL could improve support provided students, the increase in first-year student perceptions of support occurring since 2002 signal that recommendations for improving students transitions into UNL outlined in Transition to University Taskforce report "Everyone a Teacher, Everyone a Learner" may be contributing to a more supportive campus environment. The senior score on this benchmark will be tracked on future NSSE surveys to determine if the increased emphasis on support occurring in the last couple years leads to a higher senior score as the cohort of first-year students who benefitted from those changes become seniors.