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鈥淎V俱乐部 provides a very comfortable environment to learn in,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he thing about AV俱乐部 is that there are a lot of resources available to help you out.鈥�
With the end of term evaluations approaching for our students, it seems appropriate that AV俱乐部 is also under the magnifying glass鈥攊t鈥檚 survey season for universities.
In particular, one recently released report provides an assessment of the university鈥檚 contributions to academic success. The National Survey of Student Engagement (or NSSE) operates from Indiana University鈥檚 Centre for Post-secondary Research. More than 47,000 students across North America were asked to describe their involvement in activities that are known to contribute to a successful university experience鈥攕uch as discussions with professors, class preparation time and service learning.
鈥淓ducation is a partnership and research shows us that greater student engagement contributes to learning and personal development,鈥� says Ms. Lane.
In terms of NSSE, AV俱乐部鈥檚 most meaningful comparators are the Canadian schools commonly described as the 鈥淕-13,鈥� or the research intensive schools across the country.
鈥漌e compare favorably on most dimensions and, in many, even slightly better than the G-13 group,鈥� says Elizabeth Lane, AV俱乐部鈥檚 director of Institutional Analysis and Research.
We鈥檙e strongest in the category of student-faculty interaction, building on our leadership in the student to faculty ratio 鈥� at 14:1, it remains one of the best nationally.
This finding is echoed in another current survey of Canadian undergraduate students, the Canadian University Survey Consortium, which noted a high level of satisfaction with AV俱乐部鈥檚 study skills and learning support services, free-wheeling class discussions, access to professors and intellectually stimulating learning environment.
Finally, the November issue of Maclean鈥檚 reinforces AV俱乐部鈥檚 best-in-Canada student to faculty ratio and national leadership in providing scholarships and financial assistance to our students.
Prompted by the buzz about various surveys, Dalnews student reporter Michelle Hampson asked some current students about their experiences.
鈥滻鈥檓 in the chemistry program here at Dal. I鈥檓 really impressed that they wrote their own textbook. The program is set up really well. If you need help, they are there and willing to help you. You can go to the Resource Centre in the Dunn Building or the Concept Room in the Chemistry Building,鈥� says Keir Forgie, first-year science student. 鈥淭he teachers are really helpful. If you need to talk to them, they鈥檒l make time.鈥�
Vanessa Smit, a third-year recreation management student finds her class sizes beneficial. 鈥淢y professors know me, they know my name. I鈥檓 not just a number.鈥�
The results of the 2008 NSSE report will be shared among the university community, with a view toward continuing improvement in the student experience. To see more details, visit: Reports and Data/
鈥漌e note the steady progress and that鈥檚 both significant and encouraging, but we鈥檙e still not where we want and intend to be,鈥� says President Tom Traves.