For Immediate Release 12 October 2001

Board of Regents Reviews Results of National Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity

ABERDEEN—According to the National Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity, South Dakota public universities had lower instructional costs and higher productivity levels than other participating institutions. The results of the study were reported today to the South Dakota Board of Regents at its regular business meeting on the Northern State University campus in Aberdeen.

Established in 1992 through a grant to the University of Delaware, the National Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity provides data to establish national benchmarks for comparisons. Each South Dakota university is compared to institutions with similar missions.

When compared to national benchmarks, South Dakota public universities:

• Recorded lower average instructional expenditures per student credit hour and per student;
• Saw average faculty members teaching more students, more total student credit hours, more undergraduate student credit hours, and more organized class sections; and
• Attained a higher percentage of undergraduate organized class sections taught by regular faculty members.

"The Regents focus on efficiency and quality to benefit our students," said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett, of Aberdeen. Regular faculty taught 86% of the undergraduate organized class sections at South Dakota public universities. The national benchmark for regular faculty teaching undergraduate organized class sections was 75%. These details show us our students are getting instruction from more qualified faculty, said Jewett.

Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry said, "The results of the study are clear. Our students are receiving a higher quality of education for a lower cost. The average instructional expenditure per student credit at South Dakota public universities is nearly 30% lower than the national average. Proof of quality can be seen through results of the proficiency examinations and licensure examinations. Students at South Dakota universities continue to score above national averages making South Dakota public higher education a smart investment."