Long-Term Goal 7: Excellent Reputation. Participate and excel in actions that earn national recognition for quality.
1. Data Sources for Measuring Achievement of Long-Term Goal 7:
SIUE has several sources of data regarding its reputation for excellence. The UCLA study of new freshmen asks students about their reasons for choosing an institution, including its academic reputation. The data for SIUE are displayed in Appendix 7 along with comparative data for other 4-year public universities.
U.S.News and World Report annually surveys university presidents/chancellors, provosts, and admissions directors regarding their perceptions of various institutions. Perceptions of SIUE are obtained from other master’s level institutions in the upper Midwest. The academic reputation data for SIUE are displayed in Appendix 7 along with the averages of other Illinois public master’s level institutions as a benchmark.
SIUE has little or no data about its perception among the general population of the state or nation. Such data would be useful in assessing progress toward meeting Goal 7.
2. Status in Achieving Long-Term Goal 7:
SIUE’s reputation has remained consistently positive as measured in America’s Best Colleges by U.S.News & World Report. In 2004, SIUE achieved number-ranking for the first time in the “Top Schools” category, placing 58th out of 142 institutions. SIUE’s academic reputation score was either 2.9 or 3.0 from 2002-2009. In the 2009 edition of America’s Best Colleges by U.S.News & World Report, SIUE was listed for the second consecutive year among the top 10 Midwest Master’s Level Universities, remaining at number 9. This year SIUE also is in the top one-third of all public and private Midwestern universities. Currently, SIUE is ranked 43rd out of 141 Midwest Master’s Universities.
According to the Fall 2007 ACE-CIRP New Freshman Survey, significantly more SIUE freshmen (than their peers) indicated that they are attending their first choice school (74% vs. 65% for the four-year, medium selectivity universities), and they are more likely to cite a “good academic reputation” as an important reason in selecting SIUE (61% vs. 52%).
While the number of completed applications to SIUE in Fall 07 decreased by 3% (from 5,807 to 5,658) for first-time freshman, 17% for transfer students (from 2,758 to 2,279), and 26% for graduate student applications (from 2,322 to 1,721), it rose 10% from 1,011 to 1,110 for first-year professional students due primarily to the School of Pharmacy. Total headcount enrollment for Fall 2007 decreased by 51 students from 13,449 in Fall 2006 to 13,389 in Fall 2007. Meanwhile, full-time enrollment increased by 75 to 11,280 in Fall 2007. Visits to SIUE for admission tours and/or events in Fall 2008 totaled approximately 7,142, an increase from the previous year and substantially higher than the 2004 total of 2,900.
3. Highlights from FY08 in Pursuit of Long-Term Goal 7
Highlights of activities in FY08 in pursuit of Long-Term Goal 7 include:
4. Short-term Goals and Plans:
Fiscal Year 2009
During FY09, SIUE will focus on the following short-term goals and plans relative to Long-Term Goal 7.
a. Promote faculty and student scholarship through presentations, publications, juried creative activities and grantsmanship to achieve national recognition as a premier Metropolitan University.
Responsibility: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Academic Deans
Source of Funds: Existing staff time and budget
Rationale: To demonstrate the University’s commitment to strengthening and communicating the scholarship of SIUE.
b. Develop a formal program to identify and mentor outstanding SIUE students to receive nationally recognized scholarships and fellowships such as the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes, and Fulbright awards.
Responsibility: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost of Academic Planning and Program Development, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
Source of Funds: Existing staff time and budget
Rationale: Student achievement is another forum for national recognition at the University.
c. Complete analysis and adoption of new IBHE Peer Group.
Responsibility: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Program Development
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: The new IBHE peer group will provide an important source of comparison for the University’s performance.
d. Define a transforming and distinctive Academic Vision for SIUE.
Responsibility: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: To provide a strategic direction that highlights academic excellence within a unique academic program portfolio.
e. Revise the Marketing and Communications plan to reflect accomplishments and FY09 goals.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for University Relations
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: Delivering focused messages consistent with SIUE’s goals and capital campaign goals will enhance the University’s reputation.
f. Continue to promote the NCAA Division I transition.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for University Relations, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: Build awareness, interest, and desire to attend Division 1 athletic events on the SIUE campus