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Is
the first year viewed as a special experience? What type
of orientation is provided to introduce a newcomer to campus
life?
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Does
the faculty engage in student advising or is this function
relegated to staff? Are the members of the faculty available
to talk to first-year students about their academic disciplines
and provide career guidance?
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What
is the student retention rate? Does the college have a program
to identify students having trouble and programs in place
to help struggling students?
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Given
the centrality of effective reading and writing skills to
the workplace, how does the institution develop oral and
written communication?
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Does
the college have a coherent general education sequence --
often referred to as a core curriculum -- that students take
in addition to study in a major subject?
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Is
good teaching valued at this institution and used as an important
criterion for tenure and promotion? Is superior teaching
rewarded in some way? Even if not all professors are publishing
researchers, are all professors encouraged to be scholars,
remaining at the top of their disciplines?
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Does
the college support faculty renewal and professional growth?
Does the college offer a program to improve teaching?
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How
extensively does the college rely on part-time or adjunct
faculty? On graduate teaching assistants? How much exposure
to the most gifted and respected faculty members will students
have in the first two years (lower division) of their college
education?
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Are
faculty members available to students at times other than
office hours? For example, do faculty members participate
in campus cultural and athletic events or make themselves
available for social occasions, such as an informal cup of
coffee or a department reception?
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How
are students encouraged to be active rather than passive
learners? Are students encouraged to work together, to discuss
topics in class, to do self-directed, independent projects?
Does teaching include more than lecturing?
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Is
the library more than a study hall? Are students taught the
skills and encouraged to spend time with library resources?
Is the library well financed?
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How
does technology assist in the teaching and learning enterprise?
Does the college have a comprehensive plan for computer use?
How does the college provide access to technology for students
without the financial means to purchase their own personal
computer?
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Are
there well-supported campus-wide activities that stimulate
social and intellectual interaction, such as lectures, debates,
concerts, etc.? Are these events well attended by faculty
and students? Does the college actively promote a broad intramural
sports program for all students?
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What
is the character of residential life? Are students able to
study as well as socialize in the residence halls? Are students
encouraged to behave with decency and respect for others?
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What
is the nature of and participation rate in campus volunteer
opportunities? Is this a place where college and community
service is affirmed through such organizations as the student
government, the faculty senate, college committees?
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Does
the president offer the college an inspired vision?
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Does
the campus offer students the opportunity to study in foreign
countries? What percentage of the student body studies abroad
each year?
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Does
the college try to measure outcomes in any way? For instance,
are students expected to participate in a senior seminar
or design a senior project by which they demonstrate the
ability to think deeply about their major field of study
and communicate something about it to others?
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Does
the college have a career development office where students
can find career advice and placement opportunities?
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Does
the college demonstrate a commitment to educational opportunity
for historically under-represented students?
