Over the past decade, institutions of higher education have come under increasing demands for accountability. Colleges and universities are expected to document student learning, beyond traditional course grades. The use of assessment as a tool to improve learning relies on the active involvement of faculty in planning, implementing, and refining…

The office of institutional research can play a key role in creating a college's marketing plan. Designing survey instruments and evaluations to support new program development, employer-based education, and recruiting concepts are areas where institutional research can make important contributions (Author/MLW)

The use of a semantic differential measure to investigate the institutional image of Tufts University (Massachusetts), both internal and external, is reported. The study focused on (1) differences between the current and desired image, and (2) differences among alumni, current student, and other constituencies' views of the institution.…

Student culture exerts significant influence on many aspects of college life by determining the kinds of people with whom one spends time and the values and attitudes to which one is exposed. To encourage attitudes and values consistent with the institution's educational purpose, cultural elements must be discovered and understood. (Author/MSE)

Evaluation of the impact of prospective students' contacts with the institution is an objective of the admissions research agenda at Tufts University (Massachusetts). An annual survey gathers information on individuals who make inquiries but do not submit an application and on the parents of matriculating students. (MSE)

The predisposition of higher education has been to maintain homogeneity and adapt only when necessary. The credibility of an institution's commitment to diversity and quality is weakened when it limits access of minority groups. Creating pluralistic communities will involve fundamental change and require a greater capacity to deal with conflict.…

Two student affairs researchers describe four questions that define the scope, breadth, and depth of student affairs research: "Who are today's college students?"; "How do students experience college?"; "What do students learn and who do they become?"; and How does college make a difference?" Discusses how student affairs researchers or staff can…

This study evaluated whether self reports of students' academic development can serve as proxies for achievement test scores from a national assessment of college student learning. The convergent and discriminant validity of self reports and test scores were examined with 1,568 students at four community colleges (n=828) and six four-year colleges…

This study sought to provide an up-to-date picture of the substantial dividend of jobs and income which Georgia State University provides to the Atlanta area. The study proceeded in six phases: (1) collection of direct university enrollment, payroll, and spending data; (2) survey and estimation of student spending; (3) survey and estimation of…

A comprehensive profile of the Division of Continuing Education (DCE) undergraduate students enrolled in credit courses at Massachusetts public colleges and universities is presented. Information is included in the categories of: overall profile of DCE students; profile of university DCE students; profile of state college DCE students; profile of…

Results of a survey of student perceptions of drugs and drug use that was conducted at Bowie State College are presented. Studies that have been conducted on college students' use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine in the last five years are reviewed, along with additional studies relating to the general population and the following drugs:…

Use of computers at Brown University and attitudes toward computing were investigated in 1984. Major areas of interest were: frequency of weekly computer use, past experience using computers, when respondents first used a computer, their gender, student status, years at the university, major, and parental and familial influences on computer use.…

Increasingly, a majority of postsecondary students are following nonlinear paths in the pursuit of educational and career goals. Practical steps are described that can be taken to track and evaluate the success of such students. A particularly promising practice involves data sharing and exchanges with state agencies and other higher education…

Trends in students' religious activities and attitudes between 1973 and 1983 were studied at the University of Maryland, College Park. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 270 incoming freshmen in 1973 and to 389 freshmen in 1983. Findings suggest a continuation of the trend of decreasing religious orthodoxy among students, with both…

Sexual harassment at the University of California Davis was studied to provide information for campus officials. Attention was directed to: campus attitudes about sexual harassment; the incidence of sexual harassment among survey respondents; the circumstances and characteristics of sexual harassment incidents; the effects of sexual harassment on…