Surveys

The 2006 NSSE Results for UBC - Vancouver

The results of the NSSE surveys are presented in the links below. In all cases, the results are presented for first (FY) and fourth year (SR) students. All UBC Vancouver students were asked to participate, and between 20 and 25% completed the survey. Details on the response rates, and some characteristics of the respondents, are presented and compared with those of peer institutions in the Table at the end of this section.

Relative to Canadian peer universities, UBC Vancouver scores slightly below the average on most of the benchmarks but, using the NSSE statistical guides on “effect size”, these differences can usually be described as small or very small. One exception is on the benchmark for “Supportive Campus Environment” where UBC Vancouver Campus is below average, and the difference could be described as “small to moderate”. Large Canadian research universities in general show levels of student engagement substantially lower than their American counterparts. The lower scores relative to U.S. peers are most pronounced on the benchmark for Student-Faculty Interactions, where the difference could be described as moderate to large. Though UBC in general is not far from Canadian means for similar universities, clearly much improvement is possible when we set benchmarks based on leading institutions, and we are committed to such improvement.

2006 Benchmarks This link reports on the 5 NSSE bench marks, and compares UBC V to the averages across (1) a group of large research oriented Canadian universities (‘selected peers’); (2) comparably-sized US institutions (‘Carnegie Peers’); and (3) all responding institutions.

2006 Means and Frequencies

The 2006 Canadian peer institutions consist of:

Dalhousie University
McGill University
Université Laval
McMaster University
University of Ottawa
Queen's University
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario
University of Alberta

2006 Using NSSE Data PDF

What has UBC done with NSSE results? As a result of NSSE, other research, and in conjunction with our strategic plan, faculties are making significant changes in curriculum, teaching practices, and student service related activities.

Analysis of the results showed clearly that exemplary programs such as Arts One and Science One led to higher levels of student engagement, among other benefits. The Faculty of Arts is developing a strategic plan with the goal of extending the known benefits of such innovative programs to other programs in first year, and beyond;
The Coordinated Arts Program seeks to enhance engagement through a variety of techniques including a first year writing seminar, integration of curriculum across disciplines, and the creation of small learning communities which include instructors and renowned tenured professors;
Student services such as advising have also been redesigned based on survey results and best practice;
The VP Academic’s project “Student Horizons in Education (SHINE 2010)” seeks to continuously improve undergraduate education at UBC through a series of targeted initiatives and uses data derived from NSSE as a benchmark;
New and expanded professional development programs for faculty members and Teaching Assistants were introduced as a part of the SHINE 2010 initiative;
Nobel Laureate Dr. Carl Wieman has recently been recruited to UBC to lead a major science education initiative which relies on the use of relevant research and active engagement of faculty members in re-designing undergraduate teaching and learning experiences in Science.

We will be analyzing NSSE data further to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the undergraduate education experience. We will be talking to students and faculty members to develop further initiatives to promote learning and engagement throughout the undergraduate programs.

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