2013 National Survey of Student Engagement Participation Update

UNK students have been invited to participate in the 2013 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Participation continues to increase.

As of Thursday morning -

• The total response rate is up to 27.2% of invited students.
• 608 students (21.0% of the 2900 invited) have completed the survey. Of those, 315 are first-year students and 293 are seniors.
• 181 students (6.2% of the 2900 invited) have partially completed the survey.  Of those, 101 are first-year students and 80 are seniors.

For comparison, by the end of the survey period in 2010, 31% of first-year students and 35% of seniors had responded.  

Faculty, any assistance you can provide in encouraging invited students to take the survey is greatly appreciated. The survey remains open until June 1, but the last email reminder will go to students on March 5. It may be helpful to let students know that the emails are coming from nsse@nssesurvey.org, and also have Dr. Bicak’s name on them.  The subject of the email is Reminder: please tell us about your UNK experience.  A link to the survey is embedded in the email.

If anyone has questions, contact Beth Hinga, Assessment Director at hingabd@unk.edu or 308-865-8006.

- written in collaboration with Beth Hinga, Director of Assessment

UNK to Host 2013 Center for Great Plains Studies Symposium April 5-6

Library Updates

Learn to avoid ethical research pitfalls at March 8 seminar 

Written by Jon Ritterbush, E-Resources & Serials Librarian
ritterbushjr@unk.edu  

Undergraduate and graduate students who anticipate being involved in research with human subjects are encouraged to attend a seminar at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8, titled: “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the IRB,” in the Jennings Room on the library’s second floor.    

All researchers are required to obtain approval from the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) whenever human subjects are involved. This requirement helps to ensure research is conducted in an ethical way that protects the rights and welfare of vulnerable populations and complies with federal, state and university regulations.

During the March 8 seminar, Dr. Joan Blauwkamp (Political Science) and Dr. Richard Miller (Psychology) will be presenting on the steps to take before beginning a research project, to avoid common mistakes.  The presenters will also discuss what types of research do and do not require IRB approval, and how to submit an application when IRB approval is required.

There is no charge to attend this seminar.  Refreshments will be served.  Advance registration is appreciated but not required, by calling 308-865-8894 or emailing campbellsm@unk.edu  

This program is jointly sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Learning Commons, a partnership between Student Affairs and the Calvin T. Ryan Library.

Recognition

2012-2013 Department Chairs and Program Directors

- Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

Items to Note for Faculty and Faculty Committees

• Academic Affairs Committee
  The link to the CAP ("Course Approval Process") information is located on the Academic Affairs Committee page. CAP is the electronic approval system that allows department chairs to initiate course proposals (create, alter, inactivate, or discontinue). Worksheets for both the creation of new courses and the alteration of existing courses are available on the CAP web site for faculty members to use as they gather the information department chairs will need to submit requests.
  
  The form to alter a Catalog Course Description has been revised. Please note, in instances where a change in content is being requested through the CAP system, course description changes should be added to that request, and this form should not be completed.
  
  Department chairs initiate program proposals (create, alter, or discontinue) using a paper form, which is available on the Academic Affairs Committee page, along with instructions.
  
  The schedule of Academic Affairs deadlines for the 2012-2013 academic year is available on the Academic Affairs Committee page. The page also contains a committee roster and a link to the approved Academic Affairs minutes. Department or program chairs needing to make curricular changes should be aware of these deadlines and instructions.
   
• Faculty Handbook
  The online Faculty Handbook contains the most current policy information. The purpose of the handbook is to gather the documents and policies that inform and guide critical decisions, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2011-2013).
   
• Faculty Senate
  To keep faculty informed and in the spirit of shared governance, the Faculty Senate website contains links to the senate roster, meeting agendas and packets, meeting minutes of both the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Senate committees, and the Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws.
   
• General Studies
  The General Studies web site contains a description of the new General Studies Program effective for students entering UNK in the Fall of 2010. The site contains a list of the approved General Studies courses effective for the 2012-2013 academic year, a list of all of the approved Portal and Capstone topics, as well as lists of the Portals and Capstones offerings for the current semester.
   
• Graduate Council
  The Graduate Council webpage contains information regarding changes to graduate courses or programs, as well as a list of the 2012 Graduate Program Committees.
  
  The form to alter a Catalog Course Description has been revised. Please note, in instances where a change in content is being requested through the CAP system, course description changes should be added to that request, and this form should not be completed.

Deadlines Approach for Various Opportunities

Calendar of Events within the Academic and Student Affairs Division

Edited by Kim Elliott, Coordinator of Academic Publications  

A Publication of the
Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
University of Nebraska at Kearney
905 West 25th Street
Kearney, NE 68849
Phone: (308)865-8209  

For questions or submissions,
contact the Coordinator of Academic Publications at 8935 or academicpublications@unk.edu.