Results (R)

2R1 Results in Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives

The Figure 2.1 matrix identifies progress for the goals and objectives within strategic planning associated with Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives. The chart shows many objectives as being in intermediate stages of implementation.

Gross and net student applicant information for 2002-2005 Student Engagement is reported in 6R1. Student Engagement used NSSE and CSHE (2P4) data to make peer comparisons and tracked the programs on the recruitment goals. Results from Fall 2005 reveal that six of the seven recruitment goals were met or exceeded.

A variety of process measures are used in the Communicating Quality Project (6R1). These include focus groups with all student stakeholder groups, measurement of advertising strategies, media placements, and events:

• Focus groups directed the creation and placement of advertisements.
• Advertising strategies impacted media buying in years two and three as published on Western’s market research website.
• Media placements increased during the campaign. Increased publicity of Western’s university designation was a key part of this coverage (8R1).
• More than 1,200 individuals attended Experience Western, a showcase of Western’s campus, programs and students. University celebration events involved the majority of faculty, staff and students and more than 1,000 community members.

In addition, a branding survey was given to current students, visiting students, and employees. Feedback concerning the three statements most associated with Communicating Quality includes the following:

• “The academic programs are high quality.” Opinions improved significantly. Among current students, 78 percent agreed or significantly agreed with this statement, an increase of 10 percent from 2005. For visiting students, 81 percent agreed or significantly agreed, an increase of 7 percent. Opinions of employees and business leaders decreased in this period.
• “There are opportunities for learning outside the classroom, like internships, faculty-student research, and work study. ” Agreement with this statement also significantly increased. Employees who agreed with the statement increased from 15 percent to 92 percent. Eighty-two percent of current students and 84 percent of visiting students agreed with this statement in 2006. These were not significant changes from the baseline surveys.
• “The school is well respected” is a statement that saw improved opinions in all three audiences. Among current students, 59 percent agreed with this statement, a 10 percent increase. For visiting students, 83 percent agreed, a 1 percent increase. For employees, 45 percent agreed, a 6 percent increase. Agreement with the statement among business leaders surveyed increased from 55 percent to 57 percent.

The primary communication focus for the past two years has been on new students coming to Western. The results reflect improvements in these areas. These surveys point to a need to increase communication with employees and business leaders in the community.

Banner Gold measures success through three general outcomes (Figure 2.3):

• Increased accuracy of information and decreased redundancy of information
• Improved communication
• Decreased operating costs