The PEP leaders and cheerleaders at UTM now have data to back up their common spirit chant of “U-T-M, I love it, I love it, I love it,” at least when comparing UTM to other schools.

According to a 2004 survey administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and recently analyzed by the UTM Office of Curriculum and Assessment, UTM students are more favorable to the educational, academic, social and cultural experiences offered at UTM than students at other public four-year institutions.

According to Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Graduate Studies Victoria Seng, the Likert scale survey asked 37 questions concerning academics and student services to more than 13,000 students across Tennessee and 1,392 students at UTM. “This survey gives students an opportunity to voice their opinions on how we are doing,” Seng says.

UTM scored higher than any other public school in Tennessee in the categories of educational experience, academic experience, overall experience, getting along with people, ability to grow as a person, ability to lead, self-confidence, appreciation of different cultures, writing effectively, understanding written information, understanding graphic information, working in groups, understanding global concerns, availability of adviser, quality of information, clarity of objectives for course, opportunity for student evaluations and the availability of faculty outside the classroom.

The average in the 37 areas for all public schools in Tennessee was also calculated. UTM scored higher than the state average in 35 categories, but was lower that the state average in the areas of library services and computer facilities.

Chancellor Nick Dunagan says that this data is given to the college deans. “If there are some areas, that we see we might need to make some improvements in, this is one type of data that we can use to extend some of energies to making improvements,” Dunagan says. He admits though, that he was surprised about library services and computer facilities being ranked below the state average.

“That is very surprising. I perceive both of those as being some of strong points,” Dunagan says. He also cautions that while this survey data is valuable, it should not be the sole data in evaluating the efficiency of services or programs.

UTM was ranked number one overall with an average of 2.658.

Tennessee Tech University followed closely behind UTM with an average of 2.633. Austin Peay University came in third place, followed by East Tennessee State University. The University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga tied for fifth place. They were followed by Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis and Tennessee State University.

“The survey results speak well for our faculty and staff. It is a good tool and I’m very proud of the faculty and staff for having such a positive impact on our students,” Dunagan says.

UTM’s highest rated areas were educational experience, overall experience and the availability of faculty outside the classroom. It’s lowest rated areas were understanding global concerns, understanding the arts, and understanding mathematical concepts.

The state of Tennessee’s highest rated areas for public institutions were library services, quality of instruction in a major, and computer facilities. The state’s lowest areas were exactly as UTM’s: understood global issues, understanding the arts, and understanding mathematical concepts.

Compared to the national norm, the state of Tennessee is higher in 15 categories and lower in 15 categories.

The enrolled student survey is one component that the Tennessee Higher Education Commission uses to calculate the annual performance funding process.