2003-2004 Graduating Senior Survey

This document lists survey questions and response options for the 2003-2004 Graduating Senior Survey. To view frequency distributions of the responses to a questions, click on the question number.


FACULTY CONTRIBUTIONS (Survey items 1-9)

Please evaluate how well faculty members in your major department do each of the following. (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
1. Set high expectations to learn
2. Respect the diverse talents and ways of learning of you and your classmates
3. Encourage you to be an actively involved learner
4. Encourage student-faculty interaction, in and out of the classroom
5. Give you frequent and prompt feedback
6. Encourage you to devote sufficient time and energy to your coursework
7. Develop opportunities for you to learn cooperatively with fellow students
8. Care about your academic success and welfare
9. In general, how would you evaluate your instructors on these eight measures?

EVALUATION OF NON-ACADEMIC SERVICES (Survey items 10-16)

10. Based on your last two years on this campus, how would you evaluate each of the following services? (If you have not had enough experience with a service to evaluate it, please mark the response "don't know/did not use" and then skip to the next service.) For those services which required interaction with university offices or units (secretaries, tutors, counselors, office workers, etc.), please rate how responsive the staffs in those offices or units were to your needs. (Scale for both rating of services and rating of staff: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")

Personal safety on the NC State campus
University planning & placement services
College/departmental placement assistance
Library services
Bookstore services & products
Registration process
Financial aid services: application/award process
Financial aid services: disbursement process
Campus food services
Campus health services
Campus counseling (not career) services
Business services/cashier/student accounts
Campus residence life programs for students living in university-owned housing
Opportunities to participate in campus recreational and other extra-curricular or co-curricular activities
Opportunities to participate in community service projects
Opportunities to develop leadership skills


EVALUATION OF SERVICES (Survey items 11-16)

Based on your last two years on this campus, how would you evaluate each of the following ? (If you have not had enough experience with a service to evaluate it, please mark the response "Don't know/did not use" and then skip to the next service.) (Scale = 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
11. Academic advising in your major
Access to advisor
Sufficient time with advisor
Accurate information about degree requirements and course sequencing
Knowledge of campus policies and procedures
Academic advising services overall

12. Research support
Access to faculty involved in research
Access to up-to-date facilities such as labs, studios, and research centers
Research support overall

13. Technology services
Access to the Internet
Hours of operation for computer center, labs, and help desks
Access to up-to-date facilities
Access to trained staff for help
Technology training classes
Technology services overall

14. Library Services
Hours of operation
Staff responsiveness
Access to databases and collections
Training to use library
Library services overall

15. Career-related Services
Opportunity for career assistance
Information on internships, co-op, or other career-related experiences
Resources available to explore career options
Information available through computers/Internet and other technology
Career-related services overall

16. Employment Search Assistance
Resume preparation
Interview preparation and skills
Access to employment opportunities (e.g., career fairs, interviews, job listings, etc.)
Employment search assistance overall

17. Did you receive financial aid (including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study employment) while at NC State?
  Yes No

18. If yes, were you satisfied with your aid package?
  Very satisfied Moderately satisfied Moderately dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

19. Please rate the customer service skills of the following financial aid staff. (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
a. Reception staff
b. Phone staff
c. Advisor staff


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PERSONAL GROWTH

20. To what extent do you think your college education contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in each of the following areas? (Scale: 4="Very Much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very Little," 1="Not At All.")
Writing skills
Speaking skills
Listening skills
Comprehension skills (understanding written information)
Using mathematics skills
Applying scientific methods of inquiry
Enhancing analytic skills
Developing computer skills
Developing a tolerance to divergent views
Understanding of diverse cultures and values
Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles
Exercising public responsibility and community service
Appreciating racial equity
Appreciating gender equity
Advancing your appreciation of the arts
Understanding issues and problems facing the world
Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/process
Understanding how science and technology influence everyday life
Ability to adapt to changing technologies
Ability to critically analyze ideas and information
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
Ability to lead or guide others
Ability to function as part of a team
Ability to plan and carry out projects independently
Valuing learning as a lifelong process
Commitment to personal health and fitness
Taking responsibility for your own behavior
Self-confidence
Sense of personal identity
Independence and self-reliance
Potential for success
Coping with change
Ability to handle stress
Personal growth
Time management
Self-discipline

CAMPUS CLIMATE (Survey items 21-23)

21. How would you assess the campus climate for the following groups of students? (Scale: 5="Strongly Supportive," 4="Mildly Supportive," 3="Neutral," 2="Mildly Unsupportive," 1="Strongly Unsupportive.")
STUDENT GROUP:
Women
Men
African Americans
Other ethnic minorities
International students
Disabled students
Gay and lesbian students


Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. (Scale: 4="Agree Strongly," 3="Agree somewhat," 2="Disagree somewhat," 1="Disagree Strongly.")
22. NC State is committed to helping minority students succeed.
23. NC State has visible leadership from the Chancellor and other administrators to foster diversity on campus.


EMPLOYMENT AND INVOLVEMENT WHILE AT NC STATE
(Survey items 24-33)

24. In which of the following school-related groups (clubs, organizations, programs) have you have been involved at NC State? (mark all that apply)
Academic (Honors Program, etc.)
Organizations/Clubs related to your major
Honor/Service/Professional fraternity/sorority
Residence Hall Council, IRC
Social Fraternity/Sorority
Intramural/Recreational sports, Club Teams
Varsity Athletic Teams
Student Government
Student Judicial Board
Union Activities Board groups, Student Media
Visual/Performing Arts/Music groups
Minority student groups
Religious/Political/Issue groups
Other groups: please specify

25. Did you participate in research with an NC State faculty member? (Not as a subject in someone's research project but actually helping with the research project.)
Yes
No (skip to Question 27)

26. How would you evaluate this research experience in terms of its contribution to your personal and professional growth?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

27. Did your major include a co-op, internship, practicum, student teaching, or other field experience?
Yes
No (Skip to question 30)

28. How would you evaluate this experience in terms of its contribution to your personal and professional growth?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

29. Have you received a job offer from one of these employers?
Yes
No

30. Were you employed either on or off campus at any time during this academic year?
Yes - on campus
Yes - off campus
Yes - both on and off campus
No (mark response and skip to question 34)

31. Was your job related to your academic major? If not, was this by choice? (Scale: 4="Directly related," 3="Somewhat related," 2="Not Related (by choice)," 1="Not related(not by choice)," 0="Not Applicable")
On-Campus Job
Off-Campus Job

32. When you are working during the academic year, on average how many hours per week did you work?

On-Campus Job

hours

Off-Campus Job
hours

33. Please briefly explain why you work for pay during the academic year.

YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (Survey items 34-39)

34. What is your primary goal or objective for attending NC State? (Fill in the ONE most appropriate bubble.)
To obtain a bachelors degree or certificate only
To obtain a bachelors degree as preparation for graduate or professional school
To obtain a bachelor's degree as preparation for a new career or profession
To improve knowledge, technical skills, and/or competencies required for my current profession
To take courses for personal interest
Other (please specify)

35. Assuming you graduate at the end of this semester, to what extent will you have accomplished your primary goal or objective for attending NC State?
Fully accomplished
Partially accomplished
Not accomplished


36. Has it taken you longer than four years to graduate?
Yes
No (skip to question 38)

37. For which of the following reasons has it taken you longer than four years to graduate? (Response categories: 1="Yes, was a reason," 2="No, was not a reason.")
I wanted to/was advised to take a lighter course load
I could not get the classes I needed
I changed majors
I lost credits when I transferred to NC State
Co-op, internship, practicum, student teaching, etc.
Financial reasons
Personal reasons
Other reasons (please briefly explain)

38. Did you ever consider withdrawing or transferring from NC State before you graduated?
No (skip to question 40)
Yes, but not very seriously
Yes, I seriously considered it
Yes, I left and came back

 39. Please briefly explain why you decided to stay at NC State (or to come back).


  Learning with Technology (Survey items 40-43)

Note: The questions in this section were added in support of NC State's university-wide LITRE (Learning in a Technology-Rich Environment) project. A link to results will be added here when the LITRE Assessment Committee releases its report later this year. For more information contact LITRE_assessment@ncsu.edu.


Learning Management Systems:
Learning management systems, such as Wolfware and WebCT, make it possible to put course materials online, submit homework online, have online interactions with instructors and classmates, etc..


40. How many courses did you take during your junior and senior years at NC State that used a learning management system such as Wolfware or WebCT?

None
1 - 3
4 - 8
More than 8

If you took 3 or fewer courses using learning management systems during your junior and senior years, please answer Question 41, otherwise skip to Question 42   

41. Why have you not taken (more) courses that use learning management systems? (Scale: 5="Strongly Agree," 4="Agree," 3="Neither Agree nor disagree," 2="Disagree," 1="Strongly Disagree")
I do not know about these learning management systems
I know about the learning management systems, but did not know how to enroll in courses that used them
Courses I needed/wanted did not use learning management systems
I am not comfortable using and/or do not like using technology in the learning environment
This is not the best way for me to learn
Courses that use learning management systems tend to be harder
Instructors do not use these technologies effectively
Other (please explain)

If you took 4 or more courses using learning management systems during your junior and senior years, please answer
Question 42
, otherwise
skip to Question 43

42. Why have you taken courses that use learning management systems? (Scale: 5="Strongly Agree," 4="Agree," 3="Neither Agree nor disagree," 2="Disagree," 1="Strongly Disagree")
Courses I needed/wanted used learning management systems
I am comfortable using and/or like using technology in the learning environment
This is a good way for me to learn
Courses that use learning management systems tend to be easier
Instructors use these technologies effectively
Learning management systems provide easy access to course materials outside of class
Other (please explain)

All Answer
Technology in Class:

43. Listed below are some teaching and learning technologies that you might have experienced in class at NC State. Please indicate how many of the courses your took during your junior and senior years used each one . (Response categories: 4="All/Most," 3 = "Some," 2 = "A few," 1="None") How did these methods help you learn compared to courses in which they were not used? (Response categories: 3="I learn better this way," 2 = "No Difference," 1 = "I Don't learn as well this way," 0 = "Not applicable.")

Static electronic presentations (e.g., Powerpoint)
Electronic presentation of course concepts via animation, multimedia, simulation, etc.
Instructor demonstrations of Web materials (e.g., library resources)
Computerized exams/quizzes in class or lab
Use of computer stations for course-specific software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, ALIAS, Design Studio, etc.)
Electronic feedback to the instuctor during class via handhelds, pushbuttons, laptops, etc.


Conclusions (Survey items 44-51)

44. How well do you feel NC State met your needs in the following three areas?(Scale: 4="Very Well," 3="Adequately," 2="Somewhat Adequately," 1="Poorly.")
Intellectual growth
Career training
Personal growth

45. All things considered, how would you characterize the intellectual environment on this campus?
Very strong
Strong
Weak
Very weak

46. All things considered, how would you evaluate... (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
a. the quality of instruction in your major
b. the quality of instruction overall
c. the overall education you are receiving at NC State

47. Would you recommend this institution to a friend considering college?
Yes No Not sure

48. If you could start over again...

a. would you still choose to attend NC State? Yes No Not sure
b. would you still choose the same major field of study? Yes No Not sure

48c. If you are earning your degree through an off-campus degree program, how likely is it that you would have obtained this degree on a UNC campus had the off-campus program not been available?
Very likely   Probably   Probably not   Not likely

49. Please indicate the best description of your plans following graduation by filling in the one most appropriate bubble.
 
  • I don't know yet.
  •  
  • I will take more undergraduate courses.
  •  
  • I have accepted a job.
  •  
  • I am still seeking employment.
  •  
  • I plan to continue in my current position.
  •  
  • I am not currently seeking employment and do not plan to attend school next year.
  •  
  • I will be going to a graduate or professional school full-time next year.
  •  
  • I am entering the military service.
  •  
  • I will be going to a graduate or professional school part-time next year and working part time.
  •  
  • Other (please specify.)
  • 50a. What is the most important thing NC State could do to improve the quality of undergraduate experience here?

    50b. What is the next most important thing NC State could do to improve the quality of undergraduate experience here?

    51. Please use the space below to share any general comments you have about your experiences at NC State or to tell us why you were particularly satisfied/dissatisfied with any aspect of your education at NC State.


    For more information on the 2003-2004 Graduating Senior Survey contact:
    Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
    Office of Institutional Planning and Research
    Box 7002
    NCSU
    Phone: (919) 515-4184
    Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

    Posted: September, 2004

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