NSSE Data for the
Foundation of Excellence Dimensions
This document connects the Foundation of Excellent Dimensions with potential sources of evidence based on
student responses to the National Survey of Student Engagement, administered at UNI in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Responses to the NSSE questions for UNI can be found on the MAPP and NSSE Data web page from the Office
of Academic Assessment. A link to the web page and the user name and password for accessing the page in
included in the FoEtec Evidence Library. The Foundations of Excellence Dimensions statements are from the
Foundations of Excellence web site at http://www.fyfoundations.org/doc.aspx?f=pdf&id=17.
The NSSE questions identified below as having a possible connection with various FoE Dimensions come from
the 2008 NSSE questionnaire. The ADP questions are from the American Democracy Project Consortium
questions added to the 2008 NSSE questionnaire. Responses to the ADP questions can be found at the
Assessment Office web page sited in the previous paragraph.
Some questions are duplicated across more than one Dimension. Some questions may be seen as more directly
related to a particular Dimension that other questions offered with the Dimension. Those using this document and
the related NSSE data will need to decide which questions and information are most related to their areas of
study and their needs. Readers may also find other NSSE questions that they believe provide relevant data.
This document was jointly prepared by Donna Vinton, Director of Academic Assessment, and Michael Cronin,
student assistant for the Office of Academic Assessment.


Foundations Institutions approach the first year in ways that are intentional and based on a
philosophy/rationale of the first year that informs relevant institutional policies and practices. The
philosophy/rationale is explicit, clear and easily understood, consistent with the institutional mission, widely
disseminated, and, as appropriate, reflects a consensus of campus constituencies. The philosophy/rationale
is also the basis for first-year organizational policies, practices, structures, leadership, department/unit
philosophies, and resource allocation. (Philosophy)
NSSE Questions
12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?
13. How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution?
14. If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending?

Foundations Institutions create organizational structures and policies that provide a comprehensive,
integrated, and coordinated approach to the first year. These structures and policies provide oversight
and alignment of all first-year efforts. A coherent first-year experience is realized and maintained through
effective partnerships among academic affairs, student affairs, and other administrative units and is enhanced
by ongoing faculty and staff development activities and appropriate budgetary arrangements. (Organization)
NSSE Questions
1o. During the current school year, how often have you talked about career plans with a faculty member or
advisor?
8c. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with administrative personnel and offices?
10b. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to help you succeed
academically?
12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?
ADP Questions
1a. (How important is each of the following issues or causes to you?) Education
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 1

Foundations Institutions deliver intentional curricular and co-curricular learning experiences that
engage students in order to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with the
desired outcomes of higher education and the institution’s philosophy and mission. Whether in or out
of the classroom, learning also promotes increased competence in critical thinking, ethical development, and
the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. (Learning)
NSSE Questions
Sharing and Discussing Ideas
During the current school year, how often have you…
1a. Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions?
1d. Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information from various sources?
1e. Included diverse perspectives (different races, religions, genders, political beliefs, etc.) in class
discussions or writing assignments?
1g. Worked with other students on projects during class?
1h. Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments?
1i. Put together ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments or during class
discussions?
Outside of Class Learning
During the current school year, how often have you…
1k. Participated in a community-based project (e.g., service learning) as part of a regular course?
1p. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class?
1t. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, coworkers, etc.)?
Opportunities For Personal Growth
During the current school year, about how often have you….
6a. Attended an art exhibit, play, dance, music, theater, or other performance?
6b. Exercised or participated in physical fitness activities?
6c. You participated in activities to enhance your spirituality (worship, meditation, prayer, etc.)?
6d. Examined the strengths and weaknesses of your own views on a topic or issue?
6e. Tried to better understand someone else's views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her
perspective?
6f. You learned something that changed the way you understand an issue or concept?
3b. (During the current school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?) Number of books
read on your own (not assigned) for personal enjoyment or academic enrichment.
Enriching Educational Opportunities
Which of the following have you done or do you plan to do before you graduate from your institution?
7a. Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical assignment before you graduate from
your institution?
7c. Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or
more classes together before you graduate from your institution?
7d. Work on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements before you
graduate from your institution?
7e. Foreign language coursework before you graduate from your institution?
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 2
Enriching Educational Opportunities, continued
7f. Study abroad before you graduate from your institution?
7g. Independent study or have a self-designed major before you graduate from your institution?
7h. Culminating senior experience (capstone course, senior project or thesis, comprehensive exam, etc.)
before you graduate from your institution?
9d. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week participating in co-curricular activities
(organizations, campus publications, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or intramural
sports, etc.)?
10f. To what extent does your institution emphasize attending campus events and activities (special speakers,
cultural performances, athletic events, etc.)?
Skill Development
To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal
development in the following areas?
Critical Thinking Skills
11e. Thinking critically and analytically?
11f. Analyzing quantitative problems?
11j. Learning effectively on your own?
11m. Solving complex real-world problems?
Group Interpersonal Skills
11c. Writing clearly and effectively?
11d. Speaking clearly and effectively?
11h. Working effectively with others?
11n. Developing a personal code of values and ethics?
Specialized Skills Development
11a. Acquiring a broad general education?
11b. Acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills?
11g. Using computing and information technology?
25. What have most of your grades been up to now at this institution?
Coursework Emphasis
During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized…
2a. Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty
much the same form?
2b. Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or
situation in depth and considering its components?
2c. Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations
and relationships?
2d. Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others
gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions?
2e. Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations?
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 3
ADP Questions
1a. (How important is each of the following issues or causes to you?) Education
16a. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement: I believe my coursework is preparing
me to participate in politics (e.g., voting, volunteering or contributing to a campaign, or persuading others
about a candidate or political issue).

Foundations Institutions make the first college year a high priority for the faculty. These institutions are
characterized by a culture of faculty responsibility for the first year that is realized through high-quality
instruction in first-year classes and substantial interaction between faculty and first-year students both inside
and outside the classroom. This culture of responsibility is nurtured by chief academic officers, deans, and
department chairs and supported by the institutions’ reward systems. (Faculty)
NSSE Questions
Student and Faculty Communication
During the current school year, how often have you…
1m. used e-mail to communicate with an instructor?
1q. received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on your academic performance?
1n. discussed grades or assignments with an instructor?
Educational Enrichment
During the current school year, how often have you…
1o. Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor?
1p. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class?
1s. Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework (committees, orientation, student life
activities, etc.)?
7d. Have you or do you plan to work on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or
program requirements before you graduate from your institution?
Relationship Quality
8b. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with faculty members?

Foundations Institutions facilitate appropriate student transitions through policies and practices that
are intentional and aligned with institutional mission. Beginning with recruitment and admissions and
continuing through the first year, institutions communicate clear curricular and co- curricular expectations and
provide appropriate support for educational success. They are forthright about their responsibilities to
students as well as students' responsibilities to themselves and the institution. They create and maintain
curricular alignments with secondary schools and linkages with secondary school personnel, families, and
other sources of support, as appropriate. (Transitions)
NSSE Questions
Classroom Expectations
During the current school year, how often have you…
1f. come to class without completing readings or assignments?
1r. worked harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations?
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 4
During the current school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?
3a. Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings.
3c. Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more.
3d. Number of written papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages.
3e. Number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages.
4a. In a typical week, how many homework problem sets took you more than an hour to complete?
4b. In a typical week, how many homework problem sets took you less than an hour to complete?
5. To what extent did your examinations during the current school year challenge you to do your best work?
9a. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week preparing for class (studying, reading,
writing, doing homework or lab work, analyzing data, rehearsing, and other academic activities)?
10a. To what extent does your institution emphasize spending significant amounts of time studying and on
academic work?
10b. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to help you succeed
academically?
Classroom Emphasis
During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized…
2a. Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty
much the same form?
2b. Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or
situation in depth and considering its components?
2c. Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations
and relationships?
2d. Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others
gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions?
2e. Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations?
Quality Relationships
How would you rate the quality of your relationship with…
8a. other students?
8b. faculty members?
8c. administrative personnel and offices?
Personal Growth
9d. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week participating in co-curricular activities
(organizations, campus publications, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or intramural
sports, etc.)?
10e. To what extent does your institution emphasize providing the support you need to thrive socially?

Foundations Institutions serve all first-year students according to their varied needs. The process of
anticipating, diagnosing, and addressing needs is ongoing and is subject to assessment and adjustment
throughout the first year. Institutions provide services with respect for the students’ abilities, backgrounds,
interests, and experiences. Institutions also ensure a campus environment that is inclusive and safe for all
students. (All Students)
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 5
NSSE Questions
To what extent does your institution emphasize…
10b. Providing the support you need to help you succeed academically?
10d. Helping you cope with your non-academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.)?
10e. Providing the support you need to thrive socially?
1o. During the current school year, how often have you talked about career plans with a faculty member or
advisor?
8c. How would you rate the quality of your relationship with administrative personnel and offices?
12. Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?

Foundations Institutions ensure that all first-year students experience diverse ideas, worldviews, and
cultures as a means of enhancing their learning and preparing them to become members of pluralistic
communities. Whatever their demographic composition, institutions structure experiences in which students
interact in an open and civil community with people from backgrounds and cultures different from their own,
reflect on ideas and values different from those they currently hold, and explore their own cultures and the
cultures of others. (Diversity)
NSSE Questions
Diverse Discussions
During the current school year, how often have you…
1e. Included diverse perspectives (different races, religions, genders, political beliefs, etc.) in class
discussions or writing assignments?
1u. Had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than your own?
1v. Had serious conversations with students who are very different from you in terms of their religious beliefs,
political opinions, or personal values?
6e. Tried to better understand someone else's views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her
perspective?
10c. To what extent does your institution emphasize encouraging contact among students from different
economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds?
Diverse Events
6a. During the current school year, about how often have you attended an art exhibit, play, dance, music,
theater, or other performance?
10f. To what extent does your institution emphasize attending campus events and activities (special speakers,
cultural performances, athletic events, etc.)?
Learning About Diversity
6f. During the current school year, about how often have you learned something that changed the way you
understand an issue or concept?
7e. Have you or do you plan to take foreign language coursework before you graduate from your institution?
7f. Have you or do you plan to study abroad before you graduate from your institution?
11l. To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal
development in understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds?
Demographics
17. Are you an international student or foreign national?
18. What is your racial or ethnic identification?
Institution reported: Race or ethnicity
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 6
ADP Questions
2b. Where do you generally get most of your information about national news?
2c. Where do you generally get most of your information about international news?
16j. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement: I am interested in keeping up with
world affairs (e.g., Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America).

Foundations Institutions promote student understanding of the various roles and purposes of higher
education, both for the individual and society. These roles and purposes include knowledge acquisition
for personal growth, learning to prepare for future employment, learning to become engaged citizens, and
learning to serve the public good. Institutions encourage first-year students to examine systematically their
motivation and goals with regard to higher education in general and to their own college/university. Students
are exposed to the value of general education as well as to the value of more focused, in-depth study of a
field or fields of knowledge (i.e., the major). (Roles and Purposes)
NSSE Questions
Value of Education
During the current school year, how often have you…
1i. Put together ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments or during class
discussions?
1r. Worked harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations?
Engaged Citizens
During the current school year, how often have you…
1k. Participated in a community-based project (e.g., service learning) as part of a regular course?
1s. Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework (committees, orientation, student life
activities, etc.)?
1t. Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, coworkers, etc.)?
6a. Attended an art exhibit, play, dance, music, theater, or other performance?
6b. Exercised or participated in physical fitness activities?
6c. Participated in activities to enhance your spirituality (worship, meditation, prayer, etc.)?
6d. Examined the strengths and weaknesses of your own views on a topic or issue?
6e. Tried to better understand someone else's views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her
perspective?
6f. Learned something that changed the way you understand an issue or concept?
7b. Have you done or do you plan to do community service or volunteer work before you graduate from your
institution?
9d. About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week participating in co-curricular activities
(organizations, campus publications, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or intramural
sports, etc.)?
10c. To what extent does your institution encourage contact among students from different economic, social,
and racial or ethnic backgrounds?
11o. To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal
development in contributing to the welfare of your community?
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 7
Preparation For Employment
1o. During the current school year, how often have you talked about career plans with a faculty member or
advisor?
7a. Have you done or do you plan to do a practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical
assignment?
11m. To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal
development in solving complex real-world problems?
Personal Growth
To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal
development in…
11k. Understanding yourself?
11n. Developing a personal code of values and ethics?
11p. Developing a deepened sense of spirituality?
3b. (During the current school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?)Number of books
read on your own (not assigned) for personal enjoyment or academic enrichment.
ADP Questions
Importance of Issues
How important is each of the following issues or causes to you?
1a. Education
1b. Environment
1c. Healthcare
1d. Economy
1e. Entertainment & recreation
1f. Religion
1g. National security
1h. Human and civil rights
1i. Neighborhood issues
1j. International issues
Acquiring Information
Where do you generally get most of your information about…
2a. Local news?
2b. National news?
2c. International news?
2d. Volunteering?
2e. Voting?
2f. Being involved in social or political issues (organizing, petitioning, protesting)?
Community Involvement
Please indicate if in the past year you have done this activity, and why you did it.
3. Joined a local community group or organization
4. Fundraised for a charitable organization
5. Participated in a fundraising run/walk/ride
6. Volunteered with a local community organization or religious group
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 8
Political Involvement and Participation
Please indicate if in the past year you have done this activity, and why you did it.
7. Sent a letter or email to the media
8. Contacted public officials about an issue (e.g., mayor, secretary of state, member of congress, etc.)
9. Have signed a petition related to a political or community issue
10. Organized a petition
11. Displayed buttons, signs or stickers about political or social issues
12. Participated in a boycott, protest, or rally abut an issue that is important to you
13. Volunteered to work on a political or issue campaign
14. Ran for an elected leadership position on (e.g., student government) or off the campus (e.g., city council)
15. Voted in an election either on or off campus
Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement:
16g. I frequently talk about politics and government with my friends and/or family.
16h. I am interested in keeping up with presidential politics (e.g., 2008 Presidential Campaign).
16i. I am interested in keeping up with U.S. domestic policy (e.g., education, environment, health care,
economy, national security).
16j. I am interested in keeping up with world affairs (e.g., Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America).
Educating for Participation in Politics
Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement
16a. I believe my coursework is preparing me to participate in politics (e.g., voting, volunteering or
contributing to a campaign, or persuading others about a candidate or political issue).
16b. I believe my coursework is preparing me to discuss politics and government with my friends and family.
Perspectives on Politicians and the Political Process
Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement
16c. You can trust politicians to do the right thing most of the time.
16d. Public officials are interested in what college students have to say about issues.
16e. Voting is the most effective way to ensure the government hears your voice.
16f. Every citizen can have a positive influence on local government.

Foundations Institutions conduct assessment and maintain associations with other institutions and
relevant professional organizations in order to achieve ongoing first-year improvement. This
assessment is specific to the first year as a unit of analysis—a distinct time period and set of experiences,
academic and otherwise, in the lives of students. It is also linked systemically to the institutions’ overall
assessment. Assessment results are an integral part of institutional planning, resource allocation, decisionmaking, and ongoing improvement of programs and policies as they affect first-year students. As part of the
enhancement process and as a way to achieve ongoing improvement, institutions are familiar with current
practices at other institutions as well as with research and scholarship on the first college year. (Improvement)
FoE/NSSE Connections—page 9