UW-Stout
Performance Indicators
Introduction

The following performance indicators have been established to assess progress in achieving UW-Stout’s enduring goals and FOCUS 2010 initiatives.  UW-Stout’s enduring goals and FOCUS 2010 initiatives represent the strategic plan for the campus.  Trend data, comparative data, and a target for 2010 are included where appropriate.  These metrics are reviewed by the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on a regular basis to assess progress toward the targets and to take actions for improvement where needed.

Each metric includes high level performance data (referred to as main indicator), and more detailed, segmented data (referred to as detail).  Additional, more detailed information is provided to administrators regularly so that each administrator can gauge the progress of his/her unit.

Performance indicators were selected using Best Practice principles:

1. The best institutional performance measures communicate the institution’s core values.

2. Good institutional performance measures are chosen carefully, reviewed frequently, and point to action to be taken on results.

3. External requirements and pressures can be extremely useful as starting points for developing institutional performance measurement systems. 

4. Performance measures are best used as “problem detectors” to identify areas for management attention and further exploration.

5. Performance measures must be publicly available, visible, and consistent across the organization.

6. Performance measures are best considered in the context of a wider transformation of organizational culture.

7. Performance measures change the role of managers and the ways in which they manage.

8. Organizational cultures supportive of performance measures take time to develop, require considerable “socialization” of the organizations’ members, and are enhanced by stable leadership.

Source:  Measuring Institutional Performance Outcomes Best-in-Class Report  ©1998 APQC

Indicators

All main indicators (printer friendly document) [PDF]

Enrollments [PDF]
Total headcount and FTE enrollment have dropped continuously from fall 2002 to fall 2004, but then increased in fall 2005 and fall 2006.

Transfers in [PDF]
UW-Stout has had the highest number of transfers from the technical colleges of any of the UW comprehensives each year, over the past several years.  In 2005-06, the number of transfers to UW-Stout decreased overall and for the technical colleges only.

Tuition rates [PDF]
Expenses (in-state tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, other expenses) increased in 2006-07 for UW-Stout and are currently the third lowest in the peer group.

Tuition revenue [PDF]
Regular tuition revenue has increased continuously over the past 7 years and was $33,286,620 in 2005-06.

Retention rates [PDF]
UW-Stout’s retention rates had remained fairly stable over the past three years but then dropped to 71.5% in fall 2005 and are currently below the target.

Student Engagement (NSSE) [PDF]
UW-Stout’s ratings are below the Carnegie Peer's comparisons, except in the areas of student-faculty interactions, supportive campus environment, and active learning (for seniors).

e-Scholar learning measure [PDF]
Ratings on the impact of the e-Scholar program on student learning increased in 2006 and show more agreement than the comparative group in the subject area of critical thinking.

Student satisfaction survey (ACT)
Student satisfaction ratings with college services and the college environment have been comparable to the public college comparison group each year for the past three years.

Distance education courses/programs [PDF]
Distance education course offerings and enrollments have been increasing steadily since 1999-00 and have exceeded the target.

Total number of freshmen applications [PDF]
The number of new freshmen applications has grown from 3,548 in 2004-05 to 3,920 in 2006-07.

Faculty Research [PDF] 
UW-Stout currently ranks 4th among the UW comprehensives on private gifts and grants and 3rd on federal grants, and is below the competitor midpoint.

Overall level of morale
Overall morale at UW-Stout slowly increased from 2001 to 2005 and then dropped in 2006.  It is currently below target.

Safety [PDF]
Ratings on the worker’s compensation experience modification factor have remained fairly stable for UW-Stout over the past four years and are considerably better than the 1997 ratings.  OSHA reportable claims and days lost from work dropped in 2006.

Energy efficiency [PDF]
UW-Stout has continued to remain the lowest in energy usage of the UW Comprehensive institutions and has met the target.

Graduation rates [PDF]
UW-Stout’s graduation rates have been mostly increasing since 1995 and are currently below the target.

Placement rates [PDF]
Overall placement rates have consistently been 95% or higher, whereas employment in the major is currently at 78%.

Employer ratings of student technology skills [PDF]
Employer ratings on student skill with using computing and information technology have dropped slightly over the past three years.