* * * * * * * * * * * * * The Electronic AIR * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Electronic Newsletter * * of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) * * Serving Institutional Research Professionals * * and those Engaged in Mgt. Research, Policy Analysis & Planning * * * * August 7, 1995. . . . . . . . . . .Volume 15, Number 10 * * Part B * * Editor - Larry Nelson, Pacific Lutheran University * * * * Subscription Mgt. - Rob Thomas, AIR Office * * Jobs Editing - Jacque Frost, Purdue University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Current Subscribers = 1474 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS FROM THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY - Northern KY U. Facts via WWW * * NEWS FROM THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY - Std. Survey Responses Available * * On-Line * * NEW PUBLICATIONS - Degrees Conferred, 1992-93 * * CONFERENCE - SAIR/SCUP Annual Conference, October 21-24 * * HELP - Survey Research Software * * HELP - Compensation Policy Assistance Sought * * HELP - How to Contact Bubble Publishing * * HELP - Evaluating Support Services for Strategic Planning Efforts * * HELP - Skills & Attributes for IR Directors * * HELP - Samples of Departmental Annual Report Formats Wanted * * HELP - Machine-Readable Higher Education Data Directory * * POSITION LISTING - Illinois Board of Higher Education (IL) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS FROM THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY - Northern KY U. Facts via WWW * * Gary Graff, Northern KY U. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Northern Kentucky University's institutional research office has made available its pocket-sized fact pamphlet, "NKU at a Glance," through the World Wide Web. Summary information about the university's enrollment, academic programs and degrees, faculty and staff characteristics, as well as facilities and budget are among the indexed tables. The data are for academic and fiscal years 1993/94 and 1994/95 and come from IPEDS and state reports. Web users can find "About NKU" at the following URL: http://www.nku.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS FROM THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY - Std. Survey Responses Available * * On-Line * * Bob Daly, UC-Irvine * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Editor's Note: Many of you know that Bob Daly at UC-Irvine and Anne Machung at UC-Berkeley have "pioneered" the development of a standard response form to the myriad of surveys that inundate U.S. Institutional Research offices each year. In the item that follows, Bob describes how to access samples of his work on-line. - - - - - The correct address (URL) is "gopher//gopher-server.cwis.uci.edu70/ 11/departments/oas/reports/survey" (without the quotes). Also, the SSR can be obtained by accessing UCI world Wide Web (http://www.uci.edu) or Gopher server (gopher.uci.edu). The structure of UCI's WWW and Gopher are identical. Stating at the top level of either, click on (or select and open) "Administrative Offices and Services," then click on "Administrative Offices," then click on "Analytical Studies and Information Management," next click on "Reports," and lastly click on "Standard Survey Response." Once in the "Standard Survey Response" directory, all you should have to do is double click on the "Standard Survey response.sea" (for Macs) or the "stdresp.exe" (for DOS/Windows) and the file will be downloaded to your local (desktop) computer. Both of these files are self-extracting archive files, so once on the local computer, just double click on the file's icon (or for DOS, change to correct directory and type in stdresp.exe and press the enter key) to extract UCI's Standard Survey Response. Be sure to read the "Read Me" file for instructions for opening the file with a word processor. The primary mistake that is made when downloading the DOS/Windows file is forgetting to download the file as binary. This has to be done to correctly receive this file. Since this file was created on a Macintosh, there have been some problems with fonts. The file was created in "New Century Schoolbook" which belongs to the Times-Roman family and is also a True-Type font. Both Macs and Windows support True Type fonts, so if a True Type Times family font is chosen, the text should display "nicely." However, a Postscript printer or a font cartridge containing New Century Schoolbook (or the correct Times family font) is needed to correctly print the SSR. Also, tabs and hanging indents may need to be set. Since there are many different paragraph styles in this document, it is difficult to provide specifications for tabs. We are currently working on the next edition of UCI's SSR. It will contain more information than the previous one, especially information on graduate education. In addition to this, I plan to publish UCI's SSR on the web. This will help tremendously in terms of obtaining a copy of the SSR. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEW PUBLICATIONS - Degrees Conferred, 1992-93 * * National Center for Education Statistics * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Degrees and Other Awards Conferred by Institutions of Higher Education 1992-93 Office of Educational Research and Improvement (NCES 95-722a) The U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics announces the release of "Degrees and Other Awards Conferred by Institutions of Higher Education, 1992-93". According to this report, U.S. institutions of higher education conferred almost 2.2 million degrees in academic year 1992-93, a 3 percent increase over 1991-92. Twenty-four percent were associate's degrees; 54 percent were bachelor's degrees; 17 percent were master's degrees; 2 percent were doctorates; and 3 percent were first-professional degrees. Below are selected points of interest: - Public institutions awarded almost 69 percent of all degrees, although the percentage varied considerably by degree level. Public institutions awarded almost 84 percent of all associate's degrees, over 67 percent of bachelor's degrees, 58 percent of master's degrees, 65 percent of doctor's degrees, but only 39 percent of first-professional degrees. - Women received the majority of degrees (55 percent) as well as the majority of associate's (59 percent), bachelor's (54 percent) and master's (54 percent) degrees. However, women received only 38 percent of all doctor's degrees awarded in 1992-93 and 40 percent of the first-professional degrees. - White, non-Hispanics received 77 percent of the degrees awarded in academic year 1992-93, while minorities received 15 percent, and more than 7 percent were received by non-resident aliens or individuals whose race/ethnicity was not known. - Among minorities, black, non-Hispanics received 7 percent of the degrees. Hispanics and Asians/Pacific Islanders received 4 percent each, and American Indians/Alaskan Natives received only one-half of 1 percent. Copies of "Degrees and Other Awards Conferred by Institutions of Higher Education 1992-93" are available from New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 0650-000-00751-7, and the price is $4.50. This report is also available via the Internet at gopher.ed.gov10000. Follow the NCES publications menu to Integrated Postsecondary Education Tabulations, and Completions Publications. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - SAIR/SCUP Annual Conference, October 21-24 * * Debbie Dailey, U of Alabama, Birmingham * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Southern Association for Institutional Research and the southern regions of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) will meet in conjunction with the Virginia Association for Management Analysis and Planning October 21-24 at the beautiful Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. The theme for the conference is Bridging the Gap Public Perception and Higher Education Reality. Conference speakers are James Guthrie, Director of the Peabody Center for Education Policy at Vanderbilt University and Garland Thompson, Editor of Black Issues in Higher Education. Dr. Guthrie will address the expectations that citizens have of our institutions of higher education. Mr. Thompson will share his perspective on how well higher education is responding to today's challenges. Pre-conference workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Colleagues will share their experiences through paper and panel sessions. Hands-on experience in computer applications will be provided in the state-of-the art conference facilities. To top it all off, we will have many recreational activities available and a real Appalachian Extravaganza, complete with a mountain band and circle dancing. Be sure and mark your calendars for October 21-24 and come join SAIR, SCUP, and VAMAP for an exciting, fun-filled, and productive meeting. Registration materials will be mailed in late August. If you do not receive yours by mid-September please contact Debbie Dailey at (205) 934-3254 or by e-mail PPA0003@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu. Hope to see you there! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Survey Research Software * * Stephen Maack, University of La Verne * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Editor's Note: Stephen Maack has promised to provide us with a summary of responses for later publication in a future issue of The Electronic AIR. - - - - - As part of its strategic planning process, various organizational units of the University of La Verne are planning surveys of students, faculty, staff, and alumni for this fall. I am seeking the best and most cost effective ways to handle entry of survey research data and am already exploring SCANTRON and NCS kinds of approaches. In addition, I know that market research firms use computer software that allows for direct entry of data on screen during telephone interviews. Does anyone have experience using this kind of software for university Institutional Research purposes -- especially for alumni surveys? How about any recommendations of good software for collecting small survey information? Special considerations include ease of use with little training, cost, capability for creating special screens for the survey instrument, outputting ASCII or SPSS readable files, and running on IBM (clone) 386 or 486 microcomputers under either WINDOWS or DOS. The ability to produce simple frequencies, percents, and cross tabulations without conversion to SPSS format would be a plus. I would appreciate specific names of software products, vendor information (phone numbers, addresses), approximate cost, and comments on your experiences with the software. Thanks. Stephen C. Maack Director, Institutional Research University of La Verne 1950 3rd Street La Verne, CA 91750 Phone: (909) 593-3511, Ext. 4286 FAX: (909) 596-2537 E-Mail: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Compensation Policy Assistance Sought * * Jeff Bader, Lafayette College * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Board of Trustees has asked the administration to look at its compensation policy, particularly faculty, to determine if it is appropriate. For example, is it competitive and with whom should we be competitive, does it allow us to attract and retain the right level of faculty, is it fiscally responsible? I am looking for help from anyone who might have gone through this exercise to help frame the right questions and locate appropriate data. One question is whether there is an accepted standard of what percentage compensation ought to be of the total budget? Also how does one simultaneously determine factors such as tuition increase, salary increase, financial aid, and operating budget increases; so that compensation neither drives the system nor is determined by whatever is leftover? Please send any suggestions to me directly. Thanks. Jeff Bader Associate Provost & Director of Research Services Lafayette College Easton, PA 18042-1768 Phone (610) 250-5073 Fax (610) 250-9850 E-Mail * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - How to Contact Bubble Publishing * * Cheryl Barto Galludet University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I need to contact Bubble Publishing (a frequent exhibitor at the AIR Forum). I have been unable to locate an address or telephone number for them. Can someone help? Thanks. Cheryl Barto Gallaudet University Washington, DC Phone (202) 651-5410 E-Mail * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Evaluating Support Services for Strategic Planning Efforts * * David Hemenway, Eastern CT St. U. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Eastern Connecticut State University is in the process of developing a strategic plan for support service functions, Specific areas covered by this planning initiative include student services (e.g. financial aid), academic support services (e.g. admissions) and institutional support areas (e.g. physical plant, data center). This plan is a continuation of the strategic plan for the instructional areas which was completed in Spring 1995. We would like to receive any information on evaluating support services and developing a strategic plan for these areas. Please send responses to David Hemenway, Director Office of Planning & Institutional Research Eastern Connecticut State University 83 Windham St. Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone (203) 465-5306 E-Mail * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Skills & Attributes for IR Directors * * Dennis Hefner, Dalton C. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dalton College is in the process of hiring a Director of Institutional Research and Planning. I would very much appreciate some professional opinions on the skills and attributes necessary for success in this area. Dennis Hefner Career Coordinator Dalton College 213 N College Dr Dalton, GA 30720-3797 FAX: (706) 272-4588 Phone: (706) 272-4429 E-Mail: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Samples of Departmental Annual Report Formats Wanted * * Corby Coperthwaite, Manchester Comm.-Tech. College * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Our Academic Dean has asked that we come up with recommendations for a standardized format that each academic department can use in preparing their annual report. For any of you using such a procedure - would you be willing to provide us with a copy of your format? I can be reached via the Internet or regular mail at the addresses provided below. Many thanks. Corby Coperthwaite Director, Institutional Research Manchester Community-Technical College PO Box 1046 Mail Station 2 Manchester, CT 06045-1046 Phone: (203) 647-6101 FAX: (203) 647-6332 E-Mail: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HELP - Machine-Readable Higher Education Data Directory * * Dean Russo, Binghamton University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Binghamton University Office of Budget and Institutional Research is currently working on creating a directory of all machine readable data that pertains to higher education. The finished product will eventually contain the following infomation about each dataset: * Name * Principlal organization/owner * Description of data ellements * Reason the data was originally collected * List of research/papers that have used the data * How to obtain the data * etc. (including any helpful requests from readers of the AIR-L) Ultimately, we would like the directory to be used as a resource for research on higher eduction policy. Before we go any further, we woukld like to see if something like this already exists. If anyone is aware of such a directory, we would love to hear from you. Thank you in advance. Dean P. Russo Associate for Institutional Research Office of Budget and Institutional Research P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton University Binghamton, New York 13901 Phone: (607) 777-2365 E-Mail: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION LISTING - Illinois Board of Higher Education (IL) * * Gene Glass, Editor of AERA LISTSERV * * Announcement Received: 7/13/95 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fiscal Analyst The Illinois Board of Higher Education is seeking candidates for the position of fiscal analyst. Responsibilities of the Board include policy, program, and fiscal analysis on issues of higher education in Illinois. Accordingly, staff assignments are varied and provide unique opportunities for professional development. This position requires strong analytical, quantitative, communication, and computer skills. The ability to write effectively and a background in policy and budgetary analysis in higher education or government are highly desirable. A master's degree or graduate work with three to five years' experience is required. Salary, up to $45,000, will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. EO/AA employer. Nominations and applications, accompanied by a current resume and two analytical studies or other writing samples must be received by August 15, 1995 and should be sent to: Patricia Sexton Illinois Board of Higher Education 4 West Old Capitol Plaza, Room 500 Springfield, IL 62701-1287 - - - - - - - - - This newsletter is continued in Part C, sent separately. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If you have AIR news, send it to Larry Nelson, Editor, at: * * (Pacific Lutheran University). * * (Please limit submissions to 72 characters or fewer per line and * * use mixed case, NOT ALL CAPS--NO NEED TO SHOUT.) * * If you have news for the SCUP electronic newsletter, send it to * * Terry Calhoun, SCUP Publ. Dir.,. * * For further information regarding individual or organizational * * membership in the Association for Institutional Research, contact * * Terrence Russell, Executive Director, AIR, P.O. Box 2314, * * Tallahassee, FL 32316-2314; Telephone: (904) 644-4470 or * * on Internet: . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *