2007-2008 Annual Report

Lead i ng t he Way i n St uden t Sa t i s fac t i on Cedarville University has long held a reputation for academic excellence, biblical education, and Christ-centered campus life.With priorities like these, it’s no surprise that Cedarville’s high standards have recently been affirmed by the people who matter most —students. According to the 2007–08 Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, Cedarville received numerous first-place rankings. When compared to all 288 private and public institutions that participated in the survey, Cedarville ranked #1 on seven out of 81 items, including commitment to academic excellence, variety of courses offered, and quality of the career services office. Cedarville also placed in the top five on almost half of the categories, which include excellent classroom instruction, knowledgable faculty, clear channels of communication, welcoming environment, commitment to students with disabilities, and campus pride. Praise the Lord for these remarkable results! When compared specifically to other Christian universities, Cedarville placed in the top five on 85 percent of the items and in the top 10 on 95 percent. Among Christian institutions, Cedarville ranked exceptionally high in its commitment to developing a strong spiritual climate on campus. Students report that being at Cedarville contributes to their spiritual growth, that their understanding of God is being strengthened, that they have plenty of opportunities for ministry involvement, and that faculty, staff, and administrators are helping them process issues related to faith. As the survey indicates, one of Cedarville’s distinctives is the unparalleled balance between spiritual development and academic excellence. Students are overwhelmingly satisfied with Cedarville’s integration of these core values and repeatedly emphasize that what matters most to them is how well they learn and how they are growing in their relationship with Christ. The survey also affirms that Cedarville is fulfilling students’ primary expectations. They value high-quality instruction in the classroom; they want to know they are individually important; and they desire activities that promote a sense of campus pride and experiences that help them grow spiritually. In all of these areas, Cedarville is excelling. This level of satisfaction not only influences current students but also positions Cedarville for future growth. Satisfied students are more likely to succeed, recommend Cedarville to their friends, and express a desire to contribute financially to their alma mater after graduation. Students notice the investment others have made in their education. The support and gifts that make the Cedarville experience possible is making a profound difference — not only in the lives of current students but also among those in the future who will be equally blessed by their time at Cedarville. 22 LEADING THE WAY IN STUDENT SATISFACTION