Clarifications of survey methodology

As co-chairs of the UGA National Survey of Student Engagement Steering Committee, we write in regard to Tuesday’s article and editorial about NSSE.

Both pieces miss an opportunity to point out the many positive results and contain important errors that we would like to correct.

The University’s performance on all five NSSE benchmark areas is better than or comparable to our peers.

In particular, seniors rated their student-faculty interaction and enriching educational experiences (such as internships, study abroad, community service) significantly higher than seniors in peer institutions.

Also, University students generally believe they are working harder and getting a better education than was the case in 2005.

Although the University has not found incentives to have a great impact on response rates for the NSSE, the use of incentives is a long-standing, valid process in survey research and is, in fact, recommended by the center that created and directs NSSE.

We offered incentives with the hope they would help busy students realize that we truly value their opinions and as a way to say thank you for sharing their experiences at the University.

The nearly 2,000 students who responded represent all first-year students and seniors at the University, and we feel confident in the results, unlike the smaller response rate we received when we administered NSSE in 2007.

There was no special sampling or recruitment for this survey.

The 25 Honors students The Red & Black referred to were recruited for an entirely different survey, which did use special sampling methods.

This year’s NSSE survey is the result of campus-wide involvement in the entire process.

The University’s NSSE committee is working on the first of what will likely be several reports that result from the data.

Discussions about the NSSE results have already begun with groups of faculty, students and staff, and we will continue these discussions across campus this spring.

Our ultimate goal is to use the results of NSSE to improve the experiences of undergraduate students at the University.

Please review the NSSE Web site – http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/nsse.htm – or contact either one of us for additional information.

ANN R. CROWTHER
Office of the Vice President for Instruction
DENISE GARDNER
Office of Institutional Research

Health Center here for students

Courtney Smith’s Wednesday article “Here’s to Your Health” provided good information on low cost local health care options, but left out important information about the University Health Center.

For students who pay the health fee (part of the fees required for all full time students), there is no cost to see a doctor during business hours. Students can get a same day appointment, see their doctor and often leave without any charges. If lab tests or X-rays are required, there are charges, but at a lower rate than a private doctor or hospital. If a student has a serious ailment that requires care after business hours or on the weekend, our urgent care charge is $25, a fraction of what is charged at other local urgent care centers.

The UHC pharmacy sells generic over the counter medicines at rock bottom prices. Also, many prescription medications are available for $5.

Quality of health care is also important to consider. The UHC is accredited by the prestigious Joint Commission, the toughest health care accrediting board in the country. When students visit UHC, they receive the highest quality of health care offered at the lowest possible cost. We’re here to serve students.

LIZ RACHUN
Health Communications Coordinator