Obtaining more information is the first step NIU is taking toward improving the level of undergraduate education at this campus.

At June 21 and 22 Board of Regents meeting, the Regents discussed recommendations for improvement of undergraduate education from each of the three universities in the system, said Assisaint Provost Lynn Waldeland. The Regents govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

The focus of NIU’s report centered on general education and how to assess student progress, Waldeland said. This report is the first in an continuing cycle to keep undergraduate education at an acceptable level. Every five years all Illinois public universities will submit a report to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The second report will commence in 1994.

Waldeland said, “The keynote to all recommendations is ways of gathering more information about undergraduate education at NIU.”

Officials at NIU believe the university has strong curriculum courses, according to Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves’ report. The belief that the courses are strong stems from a review within the past five years of all courses being offered for general education credit, the report stated. The report also stated courses are examined for currency and demographic information.

During the previous academic year, the NIU Faculty Steering Committee recommended several methods to obtain more information on student progress, which will help determine the level of undergraduate education, Waldeland said.

An alumni survey would gather feedback of students’ reactions to their undergraduate education, Waldeland said. Students who graduated within the past five years would be surveyed, she said.

According to the chancellor’s report, another survey would be given to employers of NIU graduates. Waldeland said employers would be able to assess their satisfaction of NIU graduates.

“I think they’re (employers) are satisfied beacuse they keep recruiting here, but you can’t just say that,” she said.

Pre-professional tests may be implemented for each college so the university can assess the level of students’ overall learning at the end of their undergraduate career, Waldeland said. For example, if a student passes the bar exam, the university knows he has the knowledge to become a lawyer, she said.

A pre-professional test can be in the form of senior capstone experiences, which allows students to demonstrate their knowlegde of their major in different fashions, such as writing a term paper, she said.

A student satisfactory survey is another method to assess educational information, Waldeland said. Students would meet in a small focus group and discuss pros and cons of their undergraduate educational program, she said.

Waldeland said the student survey was designed by the students on the steering committee. She said a trial group met and students had many comments on their education. She said they will try the student group again.