Senate general assembly reviews assessment survey evidence

Student Senate hosted a general assembly for CAB, Senate, and RLA members Tuesday in the Student Center. Topics discussed were results from the National Survey of Student Engagement and campus issues.
After a welcome from Vice President of Academic Affairs Charles Snare, Interim Director of Assessment David Nesheim presented a PowerPoint explaining the NSSE and the faculty version. These surveys are an important step in CSC’s accreditation process from the Higher Learning Commission.
Students at the assembly were given a breakdown sheet of results from a few select questions off the survey. The questions were regarding the quality of interaction between students, faculty, and administration, and the level of support the institution’s environment provides. These questions were most relevant because they had a large enough difference between student and faculty answers to bring concern.
The data shows that faculty thought the quality of student interactions was significantly lower than what the students thought. Faculty also perceived that the institution needs to emphasize providing a more supportive environment for students. Students on the other hand felt that there was substantial support for their overall well-being, but that it doesn’t help them manage other non-academic responsibilities.
After reviewing the data, the student representatives filled out a questionnaire asking about their thoughts or concerns on the evidence shown, and about the relevance of this information being presented at the assembly. A faculty member was stationed at each table to help answer questions and encourage discussion.
About half of the students left when this section of the assembly concluded. Then Senate President Katrina Hurley opened the floor to discussion of campus issues.
One concern was the amount of wasps gathering by doorways on campus. Student Trustee Coy Clark said in the past they have purchased fake nests to draw them away.
Another student brought up that there have been empty beer cans spotted around campus, and a cleanup crew was suggested. One student suggested that the students who get written up in the dorms use their required community service hours to clean it up. Sen. Josh Mayer suggested having Chadron High School seniors be the cleanup crew as they are required to complete community service hours as well.
The issue of the cafeteria and grill being closed during breaks was brought up. In response, one student noted that there are at least five food pantries in the area that will serve students daily as needed. This spurred the problem of transportation to these food pantries. CAB Chair Molly O’Connell said there is a bus system in town for that.
Meal plans getting shut off for students who have failed to pay their bill was another issue. One student was upset that her meal plan was shut off while she was waiting for her FAFSA appeal to be processed.
Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Services Jon Hansen said that the school gives the option of payment plans and has already allowed people to keep using their meal plans past the due date. He said at this point the students who have not paid are becoming a burden to those that have.
“It’s not fair to you guys who are paying your bill, that go get part-time jobs or whatever to do it, so somebody else can free-load,” Hansen said. “I know it’s harsh, but that’s reality.”
An international student brought up the fact that international students are not offered payment plans like everyone else. Hansen said that this is due to international students in the past not paying their bills, staying for a semester, then going back home.