Report on Alumni Survey of 1995 and 1999 Graduates
Conducted in 2001

DATE:	October 13, 2003
TO:	Dr. Nadine Jenkins, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services
FROM:	Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Dr. Dale Christophersen, Mr. Elbert Bassham
RE:	Alumni Surveys, Alpine and Rio Grande College graduates of fiscal years 1995 and 1999 plus earlier cohorts and ACT national sample results

This document summarizes the responses of the 84 Alpine graduates who completed Certificate, Associate, or Bachelor’s degree programs in fiscal years 1995 and 1999. The ACT survey instrument used is the same as has been used in the past. The mail survey of the 1995 and 1999 alumni was conducted in spring 2001. Detail on response rates is attached, as is a copy of the instrument. Master’s recipients and Rio Grande College alumni were included in the survey but are not included in this report. The ACT national sample referred to below includes over 40,000 graduates who were administered the same survey instrument between 1991 and 1996.

We intend to develop locally an instrument to be utilized for future alumni surveys, believing that the ACT instrument used since 1989 is too lengthy, depressing response rates, and including too many items relevant only to undergraduate, Bachelor’s degree recipients rather than Master’s graduates.

Overall, the responses of our alumni suggest a high level of satisfaction with their experiences as Sul Ross State University students. The graduates surveyed include, of course, many who came to us as transfers rather than “natives” who began with us as new freshmen.

This report will include responses from earlier cohorts of graduates surveyed with the same instrument, as well as the national ACT data. The instrument is made up of four sections: I. Background Information, II. Continuing Education, III. College Experiences, and IV. Employment History. In Section IV. Some sets of items are directed only to those who have held a full-time job since graduating from Sul Ross, some to those currently unemployed, and others to those currently employed. The extent to which those surveyed observed these constraints is unknown. The 1995/1999 surveys were administered in the spring of 2000.

The 1995 and 1999 graduates are the first for which we have been able to determine their year of graduation with certainty. Since the survey items do not provide for identifying which degree the respondent received from Sul Ross (we used graduation lists for this purpose), the item on “highest degree held” at the time of the survey does not distinguish Sul Ross undergraduate from graduate degree recipients. Response rates have varied over the years. The Alpine Bachelor’s rate for the 1995 (13.00%) and 1999 (20.76%) groups resembles that attained by the 1993 and 1997 groups, both of which were considerably lower than the previous six pairs of groups surveyed, starting with the 1986 and 1990 graduates. The years in which the survey has been conducted and the fiscal year graduates included in each are: 1991 (1986 and 1990 graduates), 1992 (1987 and 1991), 1993 (1988 and 1992), 1994 (1989 and 1993), 1995 (1990 and 1994), 1996 (1991 and 1995), 1998 (1993 and 1997), 2000 (1995 and 1999).

SOME SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

What was said to be the most significant finding in the December 7, 1999 summary of earlier Alumni Survey data continues to be true for the 1995 and 1999 Bachelor’s graduates: “a very high proportion of our graduates indicate an intent to attend Sul Ross in the future, far more than do so in the ACT national sample. Since most of them also provide us their name and address (current at the time of the survey), these could readily be used to maintain contact with them, assure that they receive a copy of course schedules each term, as well as information related to the areas in which they indicate further interest.” They should be receiving constant communication from us, including encouragements to return. There are other results relevant to recruiting strategies and practices, particularly the reasons offered for their choice of Sul Ross State University. Additionally, those indicating high levels of satisfaction with their experience at Sul Ross could perhaps be activated as recruiters if supplied with some materials information, and incentives.
The ethnicity of our graduates is radically unlike that of the national group in that we have ten times the Hispanic alumni of the national sample, and proportionately fewer African-American graduates.
Approximately 60 to 65 % of our graduates indicate that they have continued their formal education, compared to only 45 to 50 % of the national sample after graduating from their institutions. This is a very positive outcome for Sul Ross State University.
Because a significant number of our Bachelor’s graduates, more than a fifth, say that they probably or definitely would not choose the same major if they could start over (comparable to the ACT national sample), it might be desirable to examine closely our advising processes to determine whether we may be able to more effectively assist students in discovering their interests and capabilities earlier and more reliably.
The leading factor chosen as the primary reason for attending Sul Ross is “Location,” consistently a more significant factor for us than for the national sample. That there is less importance attached to the type of programs available is probably simply the inverse of “Location” being important. With regard to such matters as recruiting, establishing mandatory fee levels, student life/activity considerations, these data should be given serious consideration as indications of what alumni recall as important in their decisions to come to Sul Ross. Some similar data is obtained on the Entering Student Surveys. Much more could be developed on this point (at low cost) which would contribute to understanding what works for us in attracting students. Several very specific items could readily be included in such surveys of enrolled, continuing students as are administered each year. This should help guide recruiting activity.
Markedly fewer of our Bachelor’s graduates rate our “Fund Raising Programs” as “Very Good” than do students in the national sample, though when combined with those choosing “Fair” the difference is not great except for the most recent alumni groups survey, those completing degrees in 1995 and 1999. Without further information, it is not possible to determine whether they may be considering the frequency or the quality of our efforts, but some attention to the topic might be fruitful.
The low level of utilization of the College Placement Office needs attention.

ALPINE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE HOLDERS

SECTION I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Many of the comparisons among the five groups of respondents are observed most readily as tables. It is important to keep in mind that the percentages are based upon relatively small numbers of respondents for each group, thus providing a much more variable and less reliable picture of the population they are representing. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers in the tables throughout this report are percentages. Bolded percentages suggest either change among the Sul Ross respondents over time or difference from the ACT national sample.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
AGE	(N=546)	(N=115)	(N=72)	(N=40,478)	(N=84)
20 or less	1	0	0	0	0
21-22	6	2	0	3	0
23-24	21	15	4	14	16
25-26	15	18	24	14	23
27-29	27	24	21	17	14
30-39	20	25	32	28	31
40 or more	12	18	19	24	17

ETHNICITY
White	74	69	54	90	62
Hispanic	22	29	38	3	29
African American	1	1	1	4	0
Native American	1	0	0	1	2
Other	0	0	0	2	1
Prefer not to respond	2	1	7	2	6

GENDER
(% Male)	45	45	46	42	37

FULL/PART-TIME
(% Full-time)	96	92	96	86	95

MARITAL STATUS
(% Married during time of Attendance)	34	36	32	29	29

RESIDENT OF TEXAS
(while student)	97	98	99	89	99

YEARS AT SR
1	2	2	4	3	2
2	17	18	26	17	18
3	23	24	14	16	21
4	36	37	26	42	33
5 +	23	20	29	23	27

CURRENT RESIDENCE
Texas	89	95	90	73	85

PLAN TO ATTEND SAME IN THE FUTURE?
Yes	36	39	36	14	27
Undecided	32	33	32	28	27
No	32	28	32	59	45

Overall, our students strongly resemble the national ACT group in terms of several of the background variables on which data are present. There are, however, some differences.

We have a somewhat smaller proportion of alumni who were older at the time they completed the survey. This may well be due to the fact that we contact them after they have been out one year and five years, while other schools may wait longer to begin surveying their graduates. In any case, the differences are not great enough to warrant concern that they are being surveyed at very different distances from the completion of the Bachelor’s degree. Any differences which might exist in their age at the time of graduation cannot be detected with these data.
The ethnicity of our graduates is radically unlike that of the national group in that we have ten times the Hispanic alumni of the national sample, and proportionately fewer Blacks.
There is little difference in gender distribution, although the most recent respondents include a lower percentage of males than has been the case in the past.
Significantly more Sul Ross alums were full-time than the national sample. In the past, somewhat more of ours were married as undergraduates. However, that difference from the national norm does not exist for our 1995 and 1999 Bachelor’s graduates.
Our graduates seem to have spent about as many years at Sul Ross as the national group. Recall that these graduates include many who came to us as transfers-in. A higher proportion of ours were in-state residents while students, and are more likely to have remained in state. More of the 1995/1999 graduates are residing outside Texas than had been the case for earlier graduating students.
While far more of our graduates indicate an intent to attend Sul Ross in the future than the national ACT norm, the positive responses from our 1995 and 1999 Bachelor’s graduates are not as markedly different from the national norm as has been the case in the past. The percentage expressing that intent is down as is the percentage undecided, with the percentage saying “No” much higher than past groups of our alumni. Since most have provided us their current addresses, they should be receiving constant communication from us, including encouragements to return.

SECTION II. CONTINUING EDUCATION

Section II is intended to be completed only by those who have continued their formal education since graduating from Sul Ross. Approximately 60 to 65 % of our graduates, all four of the Sul Ross groups in the tables, responded indicating that they have continued their formal education. For the national sample, only 45 to 50 % indicate having continued their education after graduating from their institutions. This is a very positive outcome for us.

The only notable change in reasons selected for continuing one’s education is the sharp increase in the proportion of those responding “To learn a new occupation” from 6.3 % (91/95) to 19.4 % (93/97). This dropped back to only 6 % among the 95/99 graduates, while the number citing “To Satisfy Job/Career Requirements” increased greatly, becoming the most frequent reason given. “For general self-improvement” was a common response selected by our most recently surveyed groups. 29.7 % of the 91/95 graduates, 22.6 % of the 93/97 graduates, and 23.6 % of the 1995/1999 graduates selected that purpose.

What Is the Major Reason You Continued Your Education?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
To Satisfy Job/Career Requirements	27	17	19	31	29
To Increase Earning Power	23	20	16	22	16
For General Self-Improvement	21	30	23	19	24
To Obtain or Maintain a License or Certification	18	22	19	13	20
To Learn a New Occupation	8	6	19	12	6
Other	3	5	3	3	6

How well do our graduates believe they were prepared for continuing education by their work at SR? About a quarter of the surveyed Sul Ross groups said “Exceptionally well,” another 30 to 37 % chose “More than adequately,” while 36 to 43 % chose “Adequately.” National norms are, of those responding, 24 % “Exceptionally well,” 37 % “More than adequately,” 35 % “Adequately,” 3 % “Less than adequately,” and 1 % “Very Poorly.” Our results closely parallel the national norms.

How Well did this College Prepare You For Your Continuing Education?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Exceptionally Well	24	27	27	24	24
More Than Adequately	34	36	30	37	37
Adequately	40	36	43	35	37
Less Than Adequately Or Very Poorly	3	2	0	4	2

The highest degree aspired to by most of these (Associate and Bachelor’s) graduates, at the time they were surveyed, was the Master’s. While there is some variation in which higher degree, 73 % of the 93/97 graduates plan on a Master’s degree compared to 53 % of the 91/95 group, 59 % of the 95/99 group, and 46 % of the ACT national group. Of those continuing, 36 % (91/95), 19% (93/97), and 41 % (95/99) said that their primary enrollment status during their continuing education has been as a full-time student. Nationally, 33 % said “Full-time.” Sul Ross alums are much more likely to aspire to a Master’s degree, perhaps due to the proportion of our graduates involved in teacher certification. A much higher proportion of Sul Ross Bachelor’s graduates plan further education than of the national sample.

The Sul Ross percentage planning on professional or doctoral degrees is somewhat lower than the national norm. The higher proportion planning on a Master’s leaves us with fewer than the national norm anticipating no further academic work, a positive result. However the 14 % of 95/99 Bachelor’s graduates planning no further work is much higher than previous Sul Ross graduating groups, among whom only 6, 7, and 3 % said they were done with their educations.

What Is The Highest Degree You Plan to Obtain?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Associate Degree	0	2	3	1	0
Bachelor’s Degree	10	11	7	8	10
Master’s Degree	62	53	73	46	59
Doctor’s Degree	17	18	13	19	16
Professional Degree	4	7	0	6	0
Other	2	3	0	2	2
I do not plan to obtain another degree	6	7	3	18	14

SECTION III. COLLEGE EXPERIENCES

At the time they first applied here, over 70 % in each group rated Sul Ross as their first choice (national, 74 %) except for the 1995/99 graduates, only 63 % of whom said we were their first choice. There is, however, a marked difference between the groups’ responses when asked if they would again choose Sul Ross if they had it to do over again. Of the 91/95 undergraduate completers, 60 % said “Definitely Yes,” and 27 % “Probably Yes.” Only 11 % were “Uncertain,” or said “Probably Not.” Overall satisfaction with their choice of Sul Ross was far less strong among the 93/97 graduates, though still higher than the national sample. The 1995/99 graduates responded more favorably, with 46 % saying they would definitely again choose to attend here. This amounts to a better than average level of satisfaction among alumni.

If You Could Start College Over, Would You choose to Attend Sul Ross?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Definitely Yes	45	60	38	33	46
Probably Yes	36	27	42	38	32
Uncertain	11	6	14	15	13
Probably No	6	4	6	10	8
Definitely No	2	3	0	3	0

There was also a less positive response from the 93/97 graduates as to their choices of major, with 16 % of 91/95 graduates saying they probably or definitely would not choose the same major compared to 25 % of the 93/97 and 20 % of the 95/99 graduates. While this level of sense of having made a mistake is not out of line with the national response pattern, it might be desirable to examine closely our advising processes to determine whether we may be able to more effectively assist students in discovering their interests and capabilities earlier and more reliably.

If You Could Start College Over, Would You choose the Same Major?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Definitely Yes	45	53	47	35	42
Probably Yes	25	20	21	30	29
Uncertain	10	11	9	12	11
Probably No	16	14	18	17	10
Definitely No	5	2	7	7	10

Comparing the quality of education at Sul Ross with that of other colleges, more of the 93/97 and 25 % of 95/99 graduates chose to judge, with only 13 % selecting “Unable to judge,” the choice made by 26 % of the 91/95 graduates. Of those judging, the responses are nearly identical for the two earlier sets of our graduates and not much different from the national sample. However, the 95/99 graduates were less likely to say we are better, more likely to say we are “worse” than other colleges. The number of 95/99 graduates offering judgment is 63.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Sul Ross better	44	46	45	44	29
About the same	51	52	52	51	38
Worse	6	1	3	5	8

It is encouraging, given our attempts to maintain a general education core offering permanent value rather than more limited vocational training, that a very high proportion of both groups of graduates respond very favorably to the item asking “Regardless of the financial benefits, has your college education improved the quality of your life?”

Regardless of the financial benefits, has your college education improved the quality of your life?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Definitely Yes	68	69	68	68	63
Probably Yes	23	20	23	24	26
Uncertain	6	6	4	4	5
Probably No	2	3	6	2	5
Definitely No	1	2	1	1	1

Additionally, the positive response is somewhat stronger among those five years away from degree completion than among those only one year out.

The leading factor chosen as the primary reason for attending Sul Ross is “Location,” consistently a more significant factor for us than for the national sample. That there is less importance attached to the type of programs available is probably simply the inverse of “Location” being important. With regard to such matters as recruiting, establishing mandatory fee levels, student life/activity considerations, these data should be given serious consideration as indications of what alumni recall as important in their decisions to come to Sul Ross. Some similar data is obtained on the Entering Student Surveys. Much more could be developed on this point (at low cost) which would contribute to understanding what works for us in attracting students. Several very specific items could readily be included in such surveys of enrolled, continuing students as are administered each year. This should help guide recruiting activity.

The 1995/1999 graduates more frequently assigned major significance to the size of the institution than prior Sul Ross graduates and the national sample. Availability of scholarships and financial aid was cited by the 95/99 group less frequently as a major reason for coming here (as opposed to other schools), and academic reputation was also less frequently given as a reason for choosing Sul Ross compared to the national sample.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Location	38	46	38	32	39
Type of programs available	15	14	13	22	11
Size	12	7	8	7	14
Other	7	6	10	6	13
Advice of parents or relatives	6	6	6	5	6
Scholarship or financial aid	5	4	6	6	1
Cost	4	5	7	7	8
Social atmosphere	4	3	1	2	0
To be with friends	2	3	1	2	1
Academic reputation	2	3	7	9	2
Advice of high school personnel	2	3	0	1	0
Admission standards	2	1	3	2	4

The major source of funding of their education here is clearly loans and grants. While the number of respondents is small, especially for the 93/97 group, there appear to have been some changes in the mix of other sources identified as “Major.” Closer examination of these data might be useful for those concerned with our financial assistance programs, especially if other data are available which would allow for tracking of any change in patterns of sources of support.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Student loans	44	56	58	32	42
Parents/relatives	42	35	25	43	38
Grants	41	46	47	20	35
Summer employment	25	24	15	25	23
Employment at college	25	21	16	13	17
Scholarships	21	22	15	17	18
Personal savings	18	15	25	24	15
Spouse	15	18	12	9	13
VA benefits	3	6	4	5	3
Social Security Benefits	0	0	0	1	0

Reliance on student loans and grants was less frequently cited as a major source by the 95/99 group, though the proportion doing so was still higher than in the national sample. Earnings of a spouse, on the other hand, was cited more frequently by our graduates in all time periods compared to the national sample.

“Low visibility/awareness” best describes responses to five questions about alumni programs and services with “No opinion” and “Does not apply” being the most common evaluative responses. The program areas are Publications, Homecoming Activities, Fund Raising Programs, Chapter Meetings, and Tour Programs. Alumni association programs and services in these five areas are judged “Very Good,” “Fair,” “Poor,” “No Opinion,” or “Does Not Apply.” While our effectiveness in these areas may be very low, it does not appear to be any worse than is the case nationally and is better in some respects. Alumni enthusiasm for our (alumni) Publications has declined and is well below the national norm, as is the case with Fund Raising Programs.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Publications
Very Good	25	26	16	33	17
Fair	39	36	46	34	37
Poor	9	11	3	4	7
No Opinion/Does Not Apply	28	27	35	29	38

Homecoming Activities
Very Good	17	18	13	14	15
Fair	35	29	28	22	33
Poor	10	7	7	6	6
No Opinion/Does Not Apply	38	45	51	58	46

Fund Raising Programs
Very Good	7	7	7	14	4
Fair	30	29	31	24	24
Poor	11	6	4	6	9
No Opinion/Does Not Apply	52	57	57	56	64

Chapter Meetings
Very Good	4	5	4	3	4
Fair	16	16	19	9	14
Poor	9	5	7	6	10
No Opinion/Does Not Apply	71	75	70	82	73

Tour Programs
Very Good	5	7	7	7	5
Fair	14	13	19	8	20
Poor	8	5	6	4	5
No Opinion/Does Not Apply	74	75	68	81	70

The last portion of Section III -- College Experiences asked “How much did your education at this college contribute to your personal growth in each of the (24) following areas?” The choices were “Very much,” “Somewhat,” and “Very little.” The “Very much” response was chosen by these percentages of the respondents:

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Working independently	52	47	52	51	48
Learning on your own	52	46	56	50	53
Persisting at difficult tasks	49	45	47	47	49
Writing effectively	48	53	34	43	43
Planning and carrying out projects	46	45	44	46	42
Using the library	45	48	41	37	43
Working cooperatively in a group	45	42	45	42	39
Organizing your time effectively	44	45	56	45	40
Understanding written information	44	41	44	42	43
Defining and solving problems	43	40	48	45	41
Understanding the interaction of people and their environment	42	35	42	38	35
Speaking effectively	41	42	42	39	45
Leading/guiding others	41	42	41	34	39
Recognizing assumptions, making logical inferences and reaching correct conclusions	39	38	47	38	40
Following directions	35	29	31	30	32
Understanding different philosophies and cultures	33	31	28	34	35
Understanding and appreciating the arts	32	32	21	25	33
Understanding and applying scientific principles and methods	32	31	27	29	28
Caring for your own physical and mental Health	28	26	27	22	27
Managing personal/family finances	28	24	27	18	19
Recognizing your rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a citizen	28	24	32	20	29
Understanding graphic information	25	28	17	22	22
Understanding and applying mathematics in your daily activities	21	22	18	21	17
Understanding consumer issues	17	17	18	16	13

Sul Ross alumni chose “Very much” more frequently than the national respondents on all but a very few of the above items, substantially more frequently on several. The “glass is half empty” version would be to report the percentage responding “Very little,” which is not necessarily the obverse of “Very much.” Thus we seem to be producing a higher level of satisfaction on most items than the four-year institutions available for comparison. On four items in particular, the satisfaction of Sul Ross graduates is substantially higher: “Using the library,” “Leading/guiding others,” “Managing personal/family finances,” and “Recognizing your rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a citizen.” Compared to earlier groups of alumni surveyed, the proportion claiming “Very much” gain among the 1995/1999 respondents is up for Understanding and appreciating the arts but down for Organizing your time effectively and Managing personal/family finances.

SECTION IV. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Alumni were asked, “Which of the following best describes what you are currently doing?” The following table reports responses of the same five groups as above.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Employed Full-Time	64	73	83	69	65
Employed and Continuing My Education	9	7	6	6	12
Self-Employed	7	4	3	4	8
Continuing My Education	7	3	0	4	4
Caring for a Home/Family	5	6	4	4	2
Employed Part-Time	4	2	1	6	6
Unemployed	3	4	1	3	1
Other	1	2	0	2	0
Serving in the Armed forces	1	1	1	1	1

Those who have held a full-time job at some time since graduating from SR were asked from which source they learned about the first job after graduation. The most frequent response of the 93/97 graduates was (27 %) “Other”. 21 % said “another student/friend” was the source, while 18 % said they were recruited by employer, 15 % referred to “Newspaper/trade publication,” and 10 % cited “Parent or other Relative.” The other choices offered were “Faculty at the College”, “College placement office”, “Public/private employment agency”, “College counselor/adviser” and “Professional meeting,” each of which were chosen by fewer than 5 % of the respondents. Clearly, fewer of our graduates used the college placement office. However, more (presumably public school teachers) were recruited by their employers. The following table compares responses from our 1986 through 1995 bachelor’s graduates, the 91/95 graduates, the 93/97 graduates, the national respondents described above, and our 1995 and 1999 Bachelor’s graduates. The low level of utilization of the “College Placement Office,” “College Counselor/Advisor,” and “Faculty at the College,” particularly by the 1995/1999 graduates is, particularly with regard to the placement office (Career Services) a matter that needs attention.

Learned About First Job From	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Other	27	28	27	27	29
Recruited by Employer	19	21	18	13	21
Newspaper/Trade Publication	14	20	15	18	13
Another Student/Friend	12	6	21	12	13
Parent or Relative	12	9	10	9	15
Faculty at the College	7	7	2	4	3
College Placement Office	3	4	2	10	0
Public/Private Employment Agency	3	1	2	4	4
Professional Meeting	2	3	4	2	4
College Counselor/Advisor	2	2	2	2	0

The following table reports frequency of alumni having had problems (major, minor, or not at all) in ten areas in the process of obtaining the first job after graduation. The percentage reporting having had a major problem is reported for each area of potential difficulty. Our graduates seem to less frequently have had trouble deciding what they wanted to do. It is notable that about the same proportion of our graduates mention race/sex discrimination as a problem, even though so many more of our alumni are members of an ethnic minority.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Finding a Job that Paid Enough	32	28	27	27	28
Finding the Kind of Job I Wanted	30	22	25	27	18
Finding a Job Where I Wanted to Live	23	23	18	18	20
Finding a Job for Which I was Trained	23	19	21	21	17
Knowing How to Find Job Openings	14	10	9	14	10
Deciding What I Wanted to Do	13	7	9	15	17
Scheduling Interviews	7	8	4	5	3
Writing a Resume, vita, or Letter of Introduction	5	3	4	7	9
Race/Sex Discrimination	5	4	4	3	3
Completing Job Applications	1	2	0	1	4

Annual salary/income reported for the first job after college is difficult to assess due to the time span over which these surveys were conducted. In any case, the “5 outs” (those graduated five years before the survey administration) would have experienced their first employment after graduation much earlier than the “1 outs” (those completing one year prior to the survey).

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Less than $6,000	8	10	5	8	1
$6,000 to $8,999	5	4	2	7	7
$9,000 to $11,999	11	3	3	9	6
$12,000 to $14,999	14	13	16	12	7
$15,000 to $17,999	14	13	10	13	8
$18,000 to $20,999	22	20	24	15	16
$21,000 to $23,999	17	26	25	11	13
$24,000 to $26,999	4	4	9	9	13
$27,000 to $29,999	2	4	3	5	11
$30,000 to $39,999	3	5	3	7	6
$40,000 to $50,000	1	0	2	2	1
Over $50,000	0	0	0	1	2

The largest number of graduates had their jobs before leaving college. Whether that means that they had that full-time employment before they began degree work or landed the job shortly before completing the degree is not ascertainable. Most of the rest were employed within six months, leaving only about 15 % looking longer, the same as the national sample.

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Obtained the Job Prior to Leaving College	32	30	21	39	30
Less than One Month	14	12	18	13	13
1 to 3 Months	29	26	31	22	26
4 to 6 Months	13	16	13	11	10
7 to 12 Months	8	10	5	7	11
Over 12 Months	5	5	12	8	10

The number of full-time jobs held since graduation is somewhat higher for the “5 outs” than the “1 outs,” as would be expected. Our graduates’ employment appears to be somewhat more stable than is the case for the national sample.

Number of Full-Time Jobs Held Since Graduating from Sul Ross	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
One	62	60	40	51	54
Two	23	26	46	26	23
Three	8	8	9	13	20
Four	3	4	3	6	4
Five or More	3	2	3	5	0

Three questions were asked which were to be responded to only if the alumnus was currently unemployed. The number responding to these items is thus much smaller than for other items, too small to be meaningful for some of the time periods. Of the 86-95 pool, there were about 95 responses; of the 91/95 group, about fifteen; of the 93/97 group, about four, and only ten from the 95/99 graduates. The primary reason for unemployment checked by the respondents was “Other” and “Do Not Desire Employment at This Time”

Primary Reason for Being Unemployed	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Do Not Desire employment at This Time	33	40	0	32	30
Other	28	27	50	29	40
Have Been Unable to Find a Full-Time Job Since College	18	7	0	18	20
Health/Personal Reasons	12	20	25	6	0
Quit to Find Another Job	7	7	25	5	10
Was Laid Off by Employer	2	0	0	9	0

How long have you actively been seeking employment?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Not Seeking Employment	61	81	50	59	64
Less than 1 Month	8	6	0	6	7
1 to 3 Months	11	0	0	10	7
4 to 6 Months	11	6	25	9	7
7 to 12 Months	4	0	0	6	7
Over 12 Months	5	6	25	11	0

The responses to “Have you sought help from this college’s placement office?” may be somewhat different from local expectations in that our students Bachelor’s graduates appear to be only slightly less likely than the national norm to seek the assistance of the placement office, and the local dissatisfaction rate is no higher. Nationally as well as locally, much broader efforts may be needed to ensure that those graduating take advantage of the services available. With regard to our Bachelor’s graduates, it does not appear that they are any more likely than the national norm to have already secured employment before being graduated. (See first table on page 14.)

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Yes, it has been helpful	8	13	0	6	8
Yes, but it has not been helpful	11	0	0	15	8
No	81	88	100	78	83

The remaining items were addressed to those currently employed, the first seeking current (at the time surveyed) annual salary/income:

	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Less than $6,000	8	8	2	4	4
$6,000 to $8,999	5	3	0	3	4
$9,000 to $11,999	6	0	0	3	4
$12,000 to $14,999	8	4	3	5	5
$15,000 to $17,999	9	10	5	6	7
$18,000 to $20,999	15	11	3	9	5
$21,000 to $23,999	20	28	23	10	8
$24,000 to $26,999	12	14	27	11	8
$27,000 to $29,999	4	7	12	8	11
$30,000 to $39,999	9	14	15	19	20
$40,000 to $50,000	3	1	5	11	7
Over $50,000	1	1	5	13	6

“How well did this college prepare you for your present occupation?” evokes a high level of satisfaction. Our performance gets a very positive evaluation, much like the national norm. Some portion of the “Not at All” responses could simply mean that the occupation one finds him/herself in is totally unrelated to their major and/or to the content of the Bachelor’s curriculum, at least in that person’s mind.

How well did Sul Ross prepare you for your present occupation?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Very Well	39	43	37	35	34
Adequately	47	40	49	51	50
Poorly	3	3	2	5	3
Not at All	11	15	12	10	14

Most say that their current occupation is closely related to their major at Sul Ross, with most of the rest saying it is “Moderately related,” except that the 1995/1999 group report “Not related much more frequently than has been the case in the past.

How closely related is your current occupation to your major at Sul Ross?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Highly Related	50	53	55	50	48
Moderately Related	20	22	21	23	19
Slightly Related	12	15	8	13	9
Not Related	17	11	16	14	24

Our Bachelor’s graduates are about as likely to perceive themselves to be underemployed at the time of the survey as the national group.

Do you feel you are currently underemployed?	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Yes	37	33	30	33	40
No	63	67	70	67	60

The last section asks alumni to “Indicate your satisfaction with six aspects of your present job.” Our graduates mark “Very satisfied” or “Satisfied” at about the same rate as the national group, although ours may be somewhat less satisfied with Working conditions, recently on salary and benefits. More of the 1995/1999 Sul Ross graduates were satisfied with the “Challenge” aspect of their jobs.

Satisfaction with each of these aspects of your present job (% responding “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied”)	SR % 86-95	SR % 1991/95	SR % 1993/97	Natl % 91-96	SR % 95/99
Challenge	76	80	88	77	83
Location	73	79	77	78	76
Salary and Benefits	51	57	58	58	51
Advancement Potential	49	53	47	47	51
Working conditions	69	71	74	78	70
Career Potential	61	60	67	58	59

The larger tables from which the above information is extracted are available, as are the comparative national data. Most of the respondents include their name and mailing address. The instruments have been made available to the Alumni Office for addition to the alumni database.

We hope that this information is useful in assessing outcomes and effectiveness.

DEGREES AWARDED AND RESPONSE RATES: ALPINE AND RIO GRANDE COLLEGE, FY 1995 AND 1999

ALPINE (Response rate =172/884=19.46%)

	FY 1995			FY 1999
Degree	Number Awarded	Responses	Percent Responding	Number Awarded	Responses	Percent Responding
Cert./Assoc.	37	4	10.81%	25	2	8.00
Bachelor's	223	29	13.00%	236	49	20.76%
Master's	204	42	20.59%	159	46	28.93%
Total	464	75	16.16%	420	97	23.10%

RIO GRANDE COLLEGE (Response rate=50/369=13.55%)

	FY 1995			FY 1999
Degree	Number Awarded	Responses	Percent Responding	Number Awarded	Responses	Percent Responding
Cert./Assoc.	37	4	10.81%	25	2	8.00
Bachelor's	108	18	16.67%	153	12	7.84%
Master's	46	10	21.74%	62	10	16.13%
Total	154	28	18.18%	215	22	10.23%

It is somewhat surprising that for each year a higher proportion of Master’s graduates responded to the survey than did Bachelor’s graduates. Also, while it would be reasonable to expect a better response rate from those more recently graduated (1999 rather than 1995), a pattern which holds for the Alpine graduates, the 1999 Rio Grande graduates were consistently less likely to respond than the 1995 degree recipients.

Particularly since many of the items in the survey are appropriate for those having completed Baccalaureate degrees rather than Master’s, this report includes only the Alpine Bachelor’s recipients. If there is interest in the responses of Master’s graduates to the items pertinent to that level, a separate report can be prepared.

ALUMNI SURVEY

HISTORIC RESPONSE RATES

The rates reported below are based on the number of names marked "returned" on the master graduation lists from each fiscal year and the total number of persons to whom the survey was sent. For the first three years the two cohorts included in each survey were not separated for purposes of determining response rates. Response rates have declined substantially over time.