ISU students believe Iowa State emphasizes diligent study and a supportive environment, but most hit the books less often than recommended, according to a recent national study.

About 600 ISU freshmen and seniors participated in the 2001 National Survey of Student Engagement, which measures how students use and respond to the resources and opportunities colleges and universities provide.

Of the students surveyed, more than 75 percent of students surveyed said Iowa State emphasizes spending a significant amount of time studying and on academic work, yet students said they study an average of only 11 to 15 hours per week.

Iowa State is one of 321 four-year colleges and universities participating in the survey, which is co-sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Pew Forum for Undergraduate Learning.

“Educational institutions have traditionally been ranked by groups like U.S. News that do assessments based on resources, reputation and input,” said Mary Huba, assistant vice provost for educational leadership and policy studies. “The NSSE survey takes it a step further and looks at colleges’ and universities’ education and learning in class. It looks at input, transactions and outcomes.”

Iowa State sent a database of freshmen and seniors to the statistical experts at the University of Indiana, said Huba, who coordinated Iowa State’s portion of the survey.

The NSSE representatives chose a simple random sample of about 1,800 students they invited to participate in the Web-based survey.

About 600 freshmen and seniors answered the questionnaire.

“This year’s group is larger and more representative than last year,” Huba said. “Last year, the sample of students was not as representative of ISU students and colleges, because it was very engineering-student intensive.”

The ISU results were compared to those of other Doctoral/Research Extensive institutions, she said, as well as all other participating institutions.

“When I first came to Iowa State, the advisers told me I should study an average of two hours a day for every hour I’m in class,” said Matt Husman, sophomore in animal science. “It really depends on the class and the level of class you take, but I don’t spend anywhere near the 30 hours a week I should be studying because the professors I’ve had haven’t required that of me.”

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The study also reported that Iowa State provides a supportive campus

environment, as well as more opportunities for out-of-class contact with

faculty than students at similar Doctoral/Research Extensive institutions.

“Through my learning community, I was able to make one-on-one relationship

with professors in my field who helped give me insight into my future,” said

Lindsey Mick, sophomore in child and family services. “They helped us by

bringing in speakers and helping us make contacts within the field. If we

needed help finding someone or something, they almost did it for us.”

Even though students had more opportunity for out-of-class contact with

faculty, they were less likely than students in comparison groups to have

had serious conversations with students from different racial/ethnic groups.

ISU students also were less likely than students in both comparison groups

to care for dependents or work for pay off campus.

On-campus employers help students to network and recognize employees as a

student first and an employee second, said Earl Dowling, director of Student

Financial Aid.

“When working on campus, the student employee is developing a relationship

with faculty and support staff that helps in the long run,” Dowling said.

“When faculty and support staff hear of an internship or a co-op or a

scholarship, they first remember the student employee who showed up on time

and did even the most fundamental tasks the way they are supposed to be

done. When students are applying to grad school or a job, they also have a

ready-made reference.”

The Breakdown

More than 600 Iowa State freshmen and seniors participated in the 2001 NSSE

survey. Iowa State results were compared to those of other participating

Doctoral/Research Extensive institutions and to those of all participating

institutions.

Strengths:

Participants in the study were positive about their years at Iowa State.

About 85 percent surveyed said their educational experience as “good” or

“excellent” and would probably or definitely choose Iowa State again if they

had the opportunity.

Participants reported that Iowa State provides a supportive campus

environment. ISU freshmen reported more help coping with nonacademic

responsibilities. Both freshmen and seniors reported better relationships

with administrative personnel and offices.

More than 75 percent indicated that Iowa State emphasizes spending

significant amounts of time studying and on academic work.

ISU freshmen had more opportunities for out-of-class contact with faculty

than at similar institutions.

ISU students were more likely to work collaboratively with each other,

both in and out of class.

ISU students were less likely than students in both comparison groups to

work off campus or have the responsibilities of caring for dependents.

Challenges:

ISU freshmen reported fewer opportunities to participate actively in class

than students in comparison groups.

Learning outcomes may need strengthening in writing, speaking,

understanding self, developing a personal code of ethics and contributing to

community welfare.

ISU students were less likely to have serious conversations with students

from different racial/ethnic backgrounds than their own.

Iowa State may wish to explore increased academic challenges for students.