Students often get graded by their university (or at least, its faculty). So it is always interesting when students have the chance to grade their university. Maclean’s magazine, as part of its University Rankings 2015 issue (released November 10) included the results of two surveys of Canadian university students. It turns out that Redeemer students have given their university an excellent report card!
Redeemer students have participated for many years in the Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) survey. In it, students were asked to rate their level of satisfaction on several aspects of their university experience.
About Redeemer, students said: I am satisfied with my decision to attend this university – 98%.
Generally, I am satisfied with the quality of teaching I have received – 97%.
Overall, I am satisfied with the help I received in deciding my program and course selection – 99%.
I am satisfied with the average size of the classes – 100%.
Professors treat students as individuals, not just numbers – 97%.
Most of my professors are reasonably accessible outside of class to help students – 97%.
Most of my professors encourage students to participate in class discussions – 94%.
These results are a combination of the “Strongly Agree” and “Agree” or “Satisfied” and “Somewhat Satisfied” responses.
This year, for the first time, Redeemer students were also surveyed for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). This survey targets first-year and senior-year students with questions about their university experience.
Our NSSE results showed that: 95% of first-year students rated their entire educational experience as excellent or good.
94% of first-year students definitely or probably would choose again to attend Redeemer. 91% of senior students rated their entire educational experience as excellent or good.
83% of senior students would definitely or probably attend Redeemer again if they could start over.
“We’re very pleased with these results from our students,” says Dr. Doug Needham, Provost and Vice President, Academic. “Redeemer emphasizes a whole-life education that focusses on students’ success inside and outside the classroom, and these scores reflect that work.” “I want to thank our students who participated in these surveys last year,” says Dr. Needham. “And thanks to all of those — the students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters and others — who have contributed to making Redeemer worthy of such scores.”
Although Redeemer is included in the CUSC and NSSE scores, it is not part of the larger Maclean’s Rankings. Maclean’s methodology (page 116 of the magazine) says: “The magazine does not rank schools with fewer than 1,000 full-time students, those that are restrictive due to a religious or specialized mission, newly designated universities or those that are not members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).” As a small (less than 1,000 students) university with what the magazine defines as “a religious…mission,” Redeemer and other Christian universities are not included.