[COPLAC-IR] NSSE COPLAC consortium

[George Guajardo]

I would have to agree with the voices suggesting we wait to make
modification to the NSSE items. My agreement is more of a practical
consideration than an explicit statement of satisfaction with the module as
it stands. So far as I can tell, we do not have consensus about how to best
proceed and are not likely to arrive at such a state in the time remaining
before the deadline. In this case, the status quo may be the best
alternative.

Going forward, I recommend we have a discussion about the COPLAC module and
the value it does and could offer our member institutions. I recognize that
I am new and not privy to the rationale shaping this module's items, so I
would appreciate it if anyone could share some of that with me and other new
members. My own review of the module could not detect a unifying theme: I
saw a mix of items estimating perceived faculty climate, social engagement
and intent to complete, but nothing speaking to the liberal arts, or other
COPLAC-specific themes. Perhaps this is intentional, and perhaps it could be
re-examined.

If we are to consider changes to this module, I think it is important to
understand what we want out of it. Also, it would be a good idea to allow
ourselves some time to reach a consensus on the goal and how best to achieve
them. Perhaps we could set a time by which certain decision-related
milestones could be completed.

George Anthony Guajardo
Director of Institutional Research
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
405.574.1321

-----Original Message-----
From: coplac-ir-bounces at lists.onenet.net
[mailto:coplac-ir-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of Lashley, Brian
(Institutional Research)
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 7:59 AM
To: coplac-ir at lists.onenet.net
Subject: Re: [COPLAC-IR] NSSE COPLAC consortium

Just as I say that......

Nancy I apologize I didn't see your email till just now.  Well this changes
things.  

Nancy I encourage you to look at the main NSSE instrument, the additional
COPLAC items, and the NSSE modules.  Can you do that and let us know what
you think would be good by Friday afternoon?  I only have until 9/15 to
either get our additional items to NSSE or drop them.

Brian


-----Original Message-----
From: Asher, Nancy [mailto:nasher at truman.edu]
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2013 4:14 PM
To: Lashley, Brian (Institutional Research); coplac-ir at lists.onenet.net
Subject: RE: [COPLAC-IR] NSSE COPLAC consortium

I would like to suggest we wait until the next NSSE administration to drop
the additional questions.  This is the first time that I will be involved in
the NSSE administration - the previous person left the university.  So I
don't feel comfortable saying we do not use the information and I'm not
familiar enough with the actual NSSE instrument to know whether the
questions we need answered are already being asked.


Thanks!
Nancy

Nancy Asher
Coordinator of Testing & Reporting and Associate Budget Officer Truman State
University Assessment & Testing Office
1130 Violette Hall
100 E Normal Ave
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-785-4140
fax: 660-785-4332
nasher at truman.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: coplac-ir-bounces at lists.onenet.net
[mailto:coplac-ir-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of Lashley, Brian
(Institutional Research)
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2013 11:52 AM
To: coplac-ir at lists.onenet.net
Subject: Re: [COPLAC-IR] NSSE COPLAC consortium

Hi everyone,

Regarding the recent move to eliminate the additional COPLAC questions from
NSSE, I just want to share what I see as some advantages &
disadvantages.....I hope this will stimulate some discussion.

Advantages of Dropping the Additional Items

*  The new NSSE modules provide ways each school can address particular
areas without having to force additional items on the whole group;
dropping the 	COPLAC items would free up each institution to choose a
module(s), whereas keeping the items would limit the number of modules they
can add

*  Shortens the survey for any institution that feels the basic NSSE items
are enough

*  Lack of vigorous response on this listserv suggests the items are not of
vital importance


Disadvantages of Dropping the Additional Items

*  This decision is being made somewhat last-minute; personally I would find
it easier to drop the items if the conversation had started by mid-August.

*  One of the schools suggesting no additional items will not be in a COPLAC
NSSE consortium till 2018 (If I understand their plan correctly to do NSSE
on 3-year cycle with 2015 being next); I think it would be good to have the
decision driven by 2014 participants.....No hard feelings Kristina! :-))

*  Even if a school really only tracks one item, at least they will get that
one item again this year and can start making plans for next year
as far as 	modules & consortiums & new ways to get that item


So folks.....does any of this resonate with you?  If we continue to not have
much discussion, I think that says the additional items are not very
important and we should each just sign up for modules if we want to cover
certain areas.  Your call!


Brian R. Lashley, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of IR
Eastern Connecticut State U
Willimantic, CT  06226
lashleyb at easternct.edu
860-465-5596



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