REPORT ON THE
ENROLLED STUDENT SURVEY
SPRING 2005


By The
Institutional Research and Effectiveness Department

SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Overview of the Responses
Graphic Summary of Results for Various Student Subgroups
Responses to Each Survey Question
Top 10 Questions with Disagree/Agree Responses
Comparing Changes in 2005 Responses with 2004 Responses
Analysis of "Does Not Apply" Responses
Attachment A -- Comments by Respondents
Attachment B -- The Enrolled Student Survey Instrument


INTRODUCTION

The Spring 2005 Enrolled Student Survey provides information about students’ satisfaction with Sul Ross State University. It provides a snapshot of how they feel about a variety of topics. It gives insight into the things that are done well and the things that may need improvement. By using the demographic information collected with the survey, cross-sections of sub-groups of students by demographics such as gender, ethnicity, age, major, classification, and part/full time may be investigated. By comparing with the Spring 2004 survey, changes in student satisfaction may be identified.

This student satisfaction survey should be perceived as a means toward improvement of the services that Sul Ross State University provides for its students. Its results find their primary meaning in relationship to intended student outcomes. Its questions may provide data for departments wishing to document effectiveness.

This report presents the results of the Enrolled Student Survey of Spring 2005 and compares them with the Enrolled Student Survey of Spring 2004 wherever appropriate. A total of 281 students participated in the Enrolled Student Survey for Spring 2005 compared to 208 for Spring 2004. A random selection of 25 classes provided this sampling of the 1843 enrolled students in Spring 2005 compared to 16 classes used to sample 2110 enrolled students in Spring 2004. Labs were eliminated and classes with less than 5 students were eliminated prior to making the random selections. The random selection included classes (students) from all three schools and all departments on the Alpine campus.

The larger numbers in 2005 compared to 2004 still showed similar cross-sections to the overall population in the various demographic categories. The samples in 2005 and 2004 provided similar Confidence Intervals and Confidence Levels. The sample size was larger in 2005 compared to 2004 because of the experience in 2004 when some of the classes randomly selected could not participate for various reasons. The sample size was increased in 2005 in anticipation of this problem.

The survey consisted of 40 multiple-choice questions ranging over the spectrum of facilities, functions and services provided by Sul Ross State University. The questions were designed to provide a benchmark of information about the students, to watch for trends, to help make predictions about future students, to collect effectiveness data, and to motivate and inspire students.

Participants were not asked to provide their student ID on the 2005 survey but the survey included demographic questions on gender, classification, major, ethnicity, full/part-time, and age. Only two students opted to leave all this data out, a very good response rate.

OVERVIEW OF THE RESPONSES

The Stacked Percent Chart gives a quick graphic of the distribution of responses. In both 2004 and 2005, the predominant answer was “Agree” as may be seen in the larger yellow area of the charts.



As you may observe, the Stacked Percent Charts for Spring 2004 and 2005 are very similar.



The horizontal axis is numbered from 1 to 40. The vertical axis is percent. The blue area at the bottom shows the percentage of “Strongly Disagree” responses. The light purple area shows the “Disagree” responses. The large yellow area shows the “Agree” responses. The blue-green area shows the “Strongly Agree” responses. Finally the dark purple area at the top shows the “Does Not Apply” responses.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR VARIOUS STUDENT SUBGROUPS

The table on the following page displays a graphic representation of survey results for various subgroups of students for every question. To observe responses for a question for various subgroups of students, look at a row. To observe responses to all questions by a particular subgroup of students for all questions, look at a column. This graphic gives a quick visual way to see the results of the survey without getting into detailed numbers. Note that the number of respondents in each category is shown at the bottom of the chart.

The symbols represent:
   (Strongly Disagree)
(Disagree)
(Agree)
(Strongly Agree)
(Does Not Apply)

These steps were followed to arrive at the symbol used:
  1. If more than 50% of the responses are "Does Not Apply" the symbol is used.
  2. Calculate an average value for each question (omitting the "Does Not Apply" responses) using the weights of Strongly Disagree = weight 1, Disagree = weight 2, Agree = weight 3, and Strongly Agree = weight 4.
  3. If the average is between 1 and 1.75, the symbol is used.
  4. If the average is between 1.75 and 2.5, the symbol is used.
  5. If the average is between 2.5 and 3.25, the symbol is used.
  6. If the average is between 3.25 and 4, the symbol is used.


Note that the rows for questions 27, 28, and 29 stand out with more dissatisfaction in more demographic areas than other rows. These same areas of food, housing, and parking showed up with dissatisfaction in both surveys. However, note that the food and the housing question also show up near the top of the list of questions where respondents selected “Does Not Apply.”

Note that none of the columns of subgroups of respondents really stand out with more dissatisfaction.



RESPONSES TO EACH SURVEY QUESTION

The four choices of “Strongly Disagree,” “Disagree,” “Agree,” and “Strongly Agree” are displayed graphically along with the number of responses of each choice for each question and for all participants. The scale of the bar graph is the same for each question. The number of “Does Not Apply” responses is not shown.



In comparison with the Spring 2004 survey, overall satisfaction dropped slightly from 3.02 to 2.98 due to a majority shift of responses away from “Strongly Agree” to “Agree.” Since this was an overall trend, it may indicate a university-wide change rather than an item-by-item change. Taking this overall shift into account, the questions that showed the greatest increase in satisfaction were:
 9. My academic advisor is available and helpful to me.
29. University parking is adequate.
17. Information about what is happening on campus is available.

The questions that showed the greatest decrease in satisfaction were:
30. The Health Services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.
19. Student disciplinary procedures are fair.
4. I feel safe on the University campus.
18. I feel a sense of pride about my campus.

TOP 10 QUESTIONS WITH DISAGREEABLE/AGREEABLE RESPONSES

To compute an average score for each question on the survey, a weight of 1 is assigned to “Strongly Disagree,” 2 to “Disagree,” 3 to “Agree,” 4 to “Strongly Agree,” and “Does Not Apply” is omitted. Thus the lowest averages are the ones participants disagreed with the most and the highest averages are the ones participants agreed with the most and the break-even point is 2.5.

Agreement
The ten items that participants agreed with most in 2005 are:
ITEMAVG
8The faculty are knowledgeable in their field(s).3.19
22On the whole, the campus is well-maintained.3.18
9My academic advisor is available and helpful to me.3.18
4I feel safe on the University campus.3.16
36The Library resources are useful for my assignments.3.15
16Faculty come to class well prepared.3.15
1My instructors care about me as an individual.3.14
11I received adequate instruction in the use of Library resources.3.14
13Class change (drop/add) procedures are easily followed.3.11
34The services provided by the Cashiers Office are adequate.3.11


Note that the underlined questions above are new to the top 10 list in 2005.
Note that the underlined questions below did not appear on the top 10 list for 2005.


The ten questions that participants agreed with most in 2004 are:
ITEMAVG
4 I feel safe on the University campus. 3.42
22 On the whole, the campus is well-maintained. 3.24
36 The Library resources are useful for my assignments. 3.16
1 My instructors care about me as an individual. 3.11
8 The faculty are knowledgeable in their field(s). 3.11
11 I received adequate instruction in the use of Library resources. 3.11
16 Faculty come to class well prepared. 3.08
13 Class change (drop/add) procedures are easily followed. 3.07
24The Sul Ross web site is satisfactory in meeting my needs. 3.06
37Services of the University Post Office are adequate. 3.05


Disagreement
The ten questions that participants disagreed with most in 2005 are:
ITEMAVG
27University Center Food Service is satisfactory in meeting my needs.2.06
28The general condition of the Residence Halls or Campus Apartments is satisfactory.2.18
23Channels for expressing student complaints are readily available.2.64
29University parking is adequate2.66
19Student disciplinary procedures are fair.2.75
12The classes I need are available when I register.2.76
15Graduate-level courses are offered often enough to complete my degree requirements.2.78
30The Health Services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.2.83
3Student Government Association meetings provide a good environment for me to express my concerns.2.85
39The University Department of Public Safety patrolmen provide adequate security.2.87


Note that the underlined questions above are new to the bottom 10 list in 2005.
Note that the underlined questions below did not appear on the bottom 10 list for 2005.


The ten questions that participants disagreed with most in 2004 are:
ITEMAVG
28The general condition of the Residence Halls or Campus Apartments is satisfactory.2.17
27University Center Food Service is satisfactory in meeting my needs.2.30
29University parking is adequate2.62
23Channels for expressing student complaints are readily available.2.72
3Student Government Association meetings provide a good environment for me to express my concerns.2.76
12The classes I need are available when I register. 2.81
15Graduate-level courses are offered often enough to complete my degree requirements.2.86
39The University Department of Public Safety patrolmen provide adequate security. 2.90
10Faculty provide timely feedback about student progress in courses.2.92
19Student disciplinary procedures are fair.2.93
Thus generally the students were satisfied or dissatisfied with essentially the same services in 2005 as they were in 2004.


COMPARING CHANGES IN 2005 RESPONSES WITH 2004 RESPONSES

By comparing the computed averages for questions in 2005 to the same questions in 2004, areas that are changing in the respondent’s perceptions may be identified. The overall average of the averages fell slightly from 3.02 in 2004 to 2.98 in 2005.

The averages went up slightly, indicating more satisfaction, for only six of the questions but this change was more than one standard deviation for only two.
The averages went down for the rest of the questions but this change was more than one standard deviation for only for fifteen.



ANALYSIS OF “DOES NOT APPLY” RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

The “Does Not Apply” choice was marked in numerous instances and the number of times it was selected may be of interest or it may indicate services that are not utilized by most students.

The following list shows the top ten questions ordered by the percent selecting “Does Not Apply” in 2005.
15Graduate-level courses are offered often enough to complete my degree requirements.73.5%
3Student Government Association meetings provide a good environment for me to express my concerns.72.2%
28The general condition of the Residence Halls or Campus Apartments is satisfactory.54.5%
27University Center Food Service is satisfactory in meeting my needs.52.0%
33The Career and Testing Service programs are satisfactory in meeting my needs.36.1%
37Services of the University Post Office are adequate.35.1%
35The counseling services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.31.0%
14Technical and personal support provided by the Academic Center for Excellence is satisfactory in meeting my needs.27.1%
30The Health Services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.20.4%
23 Channels for expressing student complaints are readily available.12.2%




ATTACHMENT A - COMMENTS BY RESPONDENTS

Analysis of the qualitative responses was conducted by creating a spreadsheet with the comments and several columns to categorize them (General, Food, Construction, Courses, Faculty, etc.). Plus 1 for a positive comment and a minus 1 for each negative comment was placed in the appropriate cells. Sums at the bottom of each column provided an indication of the degree of interest in the category.

Positive Comments
The “General” category showed the most significant positive responses. All twelve comments that included statements about SRSU in general had positive feelings about SRSU.

Negative Comments

ATTACHMENT B -- THE ENROLLED STUDENT SURVEY INSTRUMENT


SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY
ENROLLED STUDENT SURVEY


Sul Ross state University is interested in systematically listening to its students.
Therefore, your thoughtful and honest responses to this survey are very important.

You are part of a sample of students carefully selected to share feedback about your
university experiences thus far. Your responses will give your campus leadership insights
about the aspects that are important to you as well as how satisfied you are with them.


Instructions:
  • Use a No. 2 pencil only. Please do not use ink or ballpoint pen.
  • Erase changes completely and cleanly.
  • Completely darken the oval that corresponds to your response.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:    Male    Female
Classification:    Freshman    Sophomore    Junior    Senior    Graduate
Major:    Animal Science    NRM    Education    Business    Lang & Lit
    Fine Arts    Behavioral Sci.    Earth Sci.    IT    CS/Math     PE
    Biol    CJ    Nursing    Pre-Prof.    Undecided
Ethnicity:    Hispanic    White     Black    Asian    Nat. Amer.    Non-Res. Alien
Full/Part-Time:    Full-Time    Part-Time (less than 12hr UG or less than 9hr GR)
Age:    < 17    17    18    19-21    22-24    25-30    31-35    36-50
    51-64    65 +


Please darken the appropriate bubble on this form. If a particular statement DOES NOT APPLY to you, be sure to blacken the 5th. You are welcome to add comments in any white space on the page, or on the back. Turn in the completed form to the survey administrator.

Mark the response that best represents your opinion:
GENERAL SATISFACTIONStrongly
Agree		AgreeDisagreeStrongly
Disagree		Dies Not
Apply
1.My instructors care about me as an individual.
2.The administration of the University demonstrates support for students and their success.
3.Student Government Association meetings provide a good environment for me to express my concerns.
4.I feel safe on the University campus.
5.I am successful when seeking information on this campus.
6.When researching for information about Sul Ross, I found the online college databases useful.


Mark the response that best represents your opinion:
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCEStrongly
Agree		AgreeDisagreeStrongly
Disagree		Dies Not
Apply
7.The student-centered learning environment at SRSU contributes to my success.
8.The faculty are knowledgeable in their field(s).
9.My academic advisor is available and helpful to me.
10.Faculty provide timely feedback about student progress in courses.
11.I received adequate instruction in the use of Library resources.
12.The classes I need are available when I register.
13.Class change (drop/add) procedures are easily followed.
14.Technical and personal support provided by the Academic Center for Excellence is satisfactory in meeting my needs.
15.Graduate-level courses are offered often enough to complete my degree requirements.
16.Faculty come to class well prepared.


Mark the response that best represents your opinion:
CO-CURRICULAR EXPERIENCEStrongly
Agree		AgreeDisagreeStrongly
Disagree		Dies Not
Apply
17.Information about what is happening on campus is available.
18.I feel a sense of pride about my campus.
19.Student disciplinary procedures are fair.
20.I can easily get involved in campus organizations.


Add your comments below:




Mark the response that best represents your opinion:
CAMPUS SERVICES AND FACILITIESStrongly
Agree		AgreeDisagreeStrongly
Disagree		Dies Not
Apply
21.The campus staff are caring and helpful.
22.On the whole, the campus is well-maintained.
23.Channels for expressing student complaints are readily available.
24.The Sul Ross web site is satisfactory in meeting my needs.
25.Student Financial Assistance has helped me meet expenses.
26.The University provides adequate teaching facilities.
27.University Center Food Service is satisfactory in meeting my needs.
28.The general condition of the Residence Halls or Campus Apartments is satisfactory.
29.University parking is adequate.
30.The Health Services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.
31.The Bookstore services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.
32.Admissions staff are helpful during registration.
33.The Career and Testing Service programs are satisfactory in meeting my needs.
34.The services provided by the Cashiers Office are adequate.
35.The counseling services are satisfactory in meeting my needs.
36.The Library resources are useful for my assignments.
37.Services of the University Post Office are adequate.
38.The University Center is satisfactory in meeting my needs.
39.The University Department of Public Safety patrolmen provide adequate security.
40.SRSU recruiting materials accurately portray the institution.


Add your comments below: