FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 11, 2009

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Slipper Rock University updates accountability site

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. --  7.4 percent increase in Slippery Rock University’s six-year graduate rate, along with increased enrollment numbers, enhanced class quality and tuition costs are included in today’s upgrade of the SRU Profile: Accountability 2009 Web site.

           November 2007, the University launched its first SRU Profile Web site presenting data on a myriad of topics, including student demographics; first-year students; transfer students; graduate students; core educational outcomes; campus engagement; costs and financial aid; the classroom environment; campus living; institutional success and getting to know the University.

            The SRU Profile was developed in response to then-U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings’ challenge that universities and colleges provide potential students, parents, the public and policymakers with accessible, transparent information.

            The nationally recognized Voluntary System of Accountability was formalized shortly after SRU’s project launch. SRU also participates in the VSA program.

           SRU received national attention at its initial Web site launch and served as a model for other universities.

           “We are very pleased with the statistical information we are able to include and the ease site visitors will have in gathering information about our University. Most visitors will find the site information easy to navigate, and they will find they can use the information to compare similar items at other universities – the whole reason for site’s creation,” said Carrie Birckbichler, director of SRU’s Office of Institutional Research. 

           Both the SRU Profile and the College Portrait are accessible through the SRU homepage:  www.sru.edu.

           VSA is a voluntary initiative for four-year public colleges and universities. It was developed through a partnership between the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. The VSA is designed to help institutions demonstrate accountability and stewardship to the public, measure educational outcomes to identify effective educational practices and assemble information that is accessible, understandable and comparable.

            The VSA communicates information on the undergraduate student experience through a common template known as “The College Portrait.”

            Each College Portrait provides consistent, comparable and transparent information on the characteristics of institutions and students, cost of attendance, student engagement with the learning process and core educational outcomes. The information is intended for students, families, policymakers, campus faculty and staff, the general public, and other higher education stakeholders to use in making educated comparisons between and among higher education institutions.

           The project is an unprecedented effort in higher education to provide the public with data about the total student learning experience.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.