Glossary

Co-curricular — This term refers to the complete spectrum of out-of-class, University-sponsored activities and experiences that complement the formal academic curriculum, contribute to d eep personal engagement in the college experience, and foster student learning, growth and development.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Enrollment — FTE Enrollment at Bucknell is calculated as the sum of [full-time undergraduates] + [1/3 part-time undergraduates] + [full-time graduate students] + [1/2 part-time graduate students].

High Student Engagement — The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was introduced in 2000 as an alternative to the resource-based rankings of US News & World Report (see separate Glossary entry below). NSSE assesses the extent to which colleges are engaged in practices that are known from educational research to be associated with powerful educational outcomes.

National Liberal Arts University — Bucknell is one of a very few institutions that combine the best characteristics of the traditional, national liberal arts colleges (very high selectivity, highly personalized education in a residential setting, a commitment to undergraduate education and the teacher-scholar model) with advantages typically seen only in larger universities (diverse curricula in both the liberal arts and professional fields, graduate studies that support and enhance the undergraduate program, and extensive cocurricular resources and opportunities). The term "national liberal arts university" best describes this distinctive niche in higher education.

Residential Learning and Living Experience — This phrase refers to the totality of all learning, personal growth, and development that occurs outside of the classroom in all areas of student life. It should be distinguished clearly from the Residential Colleges, a specific educational program.

Residential Life — The term "residential life" in Bucknell’s Vision is used synonymously with "residential living and learning experience" (see separate Glossary entry above). This usage should be distinguished from the Office of Housing and Residential Life (OHRL) at Bucknell, which is responsible for the management of and programming within the University’s residence halls and other residential spaces.

Tuition Dependence — [Gross Tuition and Fees Revenue] divided by [Gross Revenue – Auxiliary Revenue]. The revenues that are allocated for Financial Aid are included in both the numerator and the denominator. An alternate calculation, in which Financial Aid is excluded from both numerator and denominator, yields a current Tuition Dependence of 64 percent.

US News & World Report — This news magazine publishes rankings of colleges in its annual edition of "America’s Best Colleges." Bucknell is included in the category of Liberal Arts Colleges (previously, National Liberal Arts Colleges). For fall 2005, the published rankings in this category included 215 institutions.