NSSE has been awarded the inaugural sponsored research grant from the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) to support a three-year study evaluating how students' living environments, on- and off-campus, influence their engagement and persistence.
The study will combine data from NSSE, the nation's largest survey of undergraduate experiences, the ACUHO-I Campus Housing Index, and the National Student Clearinghouse, to create a comprehensive picture of how students' living arrangements influence their participation in effective educational practices and likelihood to persist in college. The study plans to collect data on the experiences of approximately 25,000 undergraduates attending 75 U.S. bachelor's degree-granting colleges. Ultimately, the study aims to produce actionable recommendations for colleges and universities to improve the effectiveness of their residential facilities, programs, and staff.
Beth McCuskey, ACUHO-I president said, "It is critically important for campus housing and residence life professionals to be able to articulate the impacts of our programs and services on students, and to have the tools to make data-driven decisions that optimize the experiences of students living in our campus communities. This study will provide those critical resources for professionals in the field."
NSSE researchers are seeking up to 75 U.S. institutions to participate in the study. To be eligible, institutions must participate in the 2018 NSSE administration and the 2017-2018 administration of the ACUHO-I Campus Housing Index (an institution-level benchmarking tool, usually completed by administrators in the campus housing office).
Participating institutions will receive a $300 registration fee waiver, a complimentary NSSE administration to sophomore students (valued at $0.50 per student in the oversample), a customized report on sophomore engagement, and a customized report of engagement and retention outcomes.
Details of the study can be found here.
Learn more about ACUHO-I's Sponsored Research Program and how your institution can participate. If your institution is interested in participating, please contact Bob Gonyea, the study's principal investigator, at rgonyea@indiana.edu or 812.856.5824.