- Why was didn't Trent University appear in the rankings section of the June 26, 2006 issue of Maclean's: "2006 Graduate Survey"?
- The results of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the Canadian Undergraduate Survey Consortium (CUSC) surveys provided the basis for a large part of the Maclean's report and the majority of Ontario and Canadian Universities, including Trent, did not participate in the NSSE or CUSC surveys during the year referenced in the study.
- Trent University along with all Ontario Universities has been surveying its alumni six months and two years following graduation since 1996 through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as part of a performance-based funding envelope that accounts for 1.6 percent of Trent's operating grants.
- Results from the graduating classes of 2003 and 2004 will be available on the University's web site in late 2006 and early 2007.
- This survey methodology was developed in concert with the Ministry, Council of Ontario Universities and Statistics Canada. The Maclean's effort to survey our alumni was introduced for the first time one year ago, and duplicated this instrument; hence, Trent decided not to participate in Maclean's.
- Why did Trent University choose not to participate in NSSE and CUSC?
- The cost of the two independent studies referenced in the recent Maclean's issue must be borne by the participating universities and Trent chose not to participate due in part to the costs involved.
- Trent had participated in CUSC surveys periodically in the past, but did not take part in the 2005 questionnaire.
- Trent has participated in NSSE in 2006 and expects results in the early fall.
- How Is Trent University remaining accountable?
- Trent publishes its key performance indicators (KPIs) each year on the University web site and they are sent to the Ministry, Trent's Senate and Board of Governors. Additionally, Trent produces an annual report that provides a well-rounded view of the institution's activities along with full financial statements.
- The KPIs include employment rates, new student entering average, full-time student retention rates, information on class sizes, classes taught by tenured faculty, research grants per faculty awards, enrollment trends, student financial assistance, scholarships and bursaries, alumni support, and financial indicators. The KPIs can be accessed at http://www.trentu.ca/admin/comm/kpi05.pdf
- Does Trent University intend to participate in these surveys in the future?
- Trent on an annualized basis is now participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), The Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE) and the Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS) to learn more about how its student's learn, perform at an institutional and national level, and how our learning experiences are compared against other similar universities in Canada and the United States.
- Which department is responsible for providing the data for these surveys?
- A variety of departments get involved in these studies; however, for the most part, the Office of Institutional Research and Planning is responsible for collecting the data required for various rankings and surveys of this type.
Posted July 4, 2006
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