The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey Appendix A: 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey University of California, Santa Cruz 22 The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey 23 The UCSC Undergraduate Experience Survey Welcome to the 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey! By answering the questions below, you will help UCSC to improve its services and opportunities for all UCSC students. The survey contains eight sections and will take approximately 15 minutes of your time to complete. When you have completed all the questions in the survey, please click on the "Submit Completed Survey" button at the end of the survey. If you complete this survey before May 16, you will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate at the UCSC Bookstore. Questionnaires with less than 80% of the items answered will not be included in the drawing. The Grand Prize will be $500.00 (1 prize), the Second Prize will be $100.00 (5 prizes), and the Third Prize will be $50.00 (10 prizes). Winners will be notified by phone or e-mail. Thanks again for participating in the 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey. Contact Information If you complete the following questionnaire, you will be entered into the drawing for the prizes. This will be the only use that will be made of your name. None of the information you provide will be used for purposes other than this survey and no individual will be identified in the report. Please enter a phone number or e-mail address where you can be contacted: Section I: Student Goals and Progress Below is a list of some of the goals of a high quality undergraduate education. For each goal: 1. How important is it to you to achieve that goal? Select one number to the LEFT of each item. 2. How much progress have you made at UCSC toward attainment of that goal? Select one number to the RIGHT of each item. Use this scale for both: N = None L = Little M = Moderate G = Great VG = Very Great University of California, Santa Cruz The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey Importance to You 24 Goals of Undergraduate Education Progress You Have Made 1 2 3 4 5 1. Developing interpersonal skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 2. Developing writing skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 3. Developing quantitative reasoning skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 4. Developing computer skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 5. Developing research skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6. Developing speaking skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 7. Developing problem-solving skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 8. Becoming competent in a particular field of study 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 9. Developing an appreciation of art, music, and literature 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 10. Developing an understanding of science and technology 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 11. Acquiring knowledge and skills needed for employment 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 12. Acquiring knowledge and skills for graduate school 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 13. Gaining practical experience through internships 1 2 3 4 5 Section II: Satisfaction with Programs, Services, and the Campus How satisfied are you with each program or service? Use this scale to indicate your degree of satisfaction: VD = Very Dissatisfied SD = Somewhat Dissatisfied N = Neutral SS = Somewhat Satisfied VS = Very Satisfied NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Faculty instruction in your major TA/graduate student instruction in your major Course content in your major Practical work experiences in you field of study Academic advising by faculty Academic advising by staff Classroom facilities Laboratory facilities Computer facilities Computer services Library facilities Library services College orientation sessions Overall academic quality University of California, Santa Cruz VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD N N N N N N N N N N N N N N SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey 25 Section III: The University Environment How satisfied are you with each of the following? Use this scale to indicate your degree of satisfaction: VD = Very Dissatisfied SD = Somewhat Dissatisfied N = Neutral SS = Somewhat Satisfied VS = Very Satisfied NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Availability of faculty outside of class Faculty attitude toward students Variety of courses offered Class size Availability of courses required to graduate Flexibility of degree requirements Opportunities for independent research and study Atmosphere of ethnic, political, and religious understanding on campus Overall academic experience Overall quality of student life UCSC overall University of California, Santa Cruz VD VD VD VD VD VD VD VD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD N N N N N N N N SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VD VD VD SD SD SD N N N SS SS SS VS VS VS The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey 26 Section IV: General Education Requirements The purposes of general education courses are threefold: 1. 2. 3. develop the essential skills required of leaders in any field, inform students of the broad historical, cultural, and ethical contexts of our world, and have students examine the nature of knowledge and the modes of inquiry used in the social sciences, the natural sciences, the humanities, and the arts. Undergraduate students must satisfy general education course requirements to graduate. UCSC's requirements are currently being reviewed, although any changes in the requirements would not apply to currently enrolled students. How would you rate the importance of the following skills or topics as general education requirements for a person with your major or educational goals? Use this scale to indicate the degree of importance: Less Im = Less Important Im = Important Very Im = Very Important Writing skills Speaking and presentation skills Knowledge of classic texts of the Western and Eastern traditions Critical thinking and problems solving skills Interpersonal/team competence/leadership skills Computer literacy (e.g., word processing, e-mail, World Wide Web) Quantitative reasoning and mathematical skills General research skills (e.g., library, Internet resources) Study and college skills (including preparation for your major and career) Competence in a foreign language Values and ethics/moral reasoning Involvement with community/awareness of issues and their historical contexts Ethnic/cultural awareness within the U.S. Ethnic/cultural awareness worldwide Personal wellness/fitness/health Understanding the economic, social and biological interdependence of global life Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im The college core course is an important part of the current general education program. Using the same scale as above [Less Important (Less Im), Important (Im), Very Important (Very Im)], please rate the importance of the following characteristics of the core courses. Writing skills Speaking and presentation skills Knowledge of classic texts of the Western and Eastern traditions Critical thinking and problems solving skills Interpersonal/team competence/leadership skills What were the greatest benefits of your core course? What were the weaknesses of your core course? University of California, Santa Cruz Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Less Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im Im Very Im The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey 27 Section V: Academic Plans at UC Santa Cruz The following questions address UCSC's role in your long-range academic plans. What choice was UCSC when you chose a college? 1st Did you attend your college orientation? Do you intend to transfer to another university? Do you intend to leave UCSC temporarily? Do you expect to drop out of college? Do you plan to complete a bachelors degree at UCSC? Do you plan to pursue a post baccalaureate degree? Would you recommend UCSC to a friend? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2nd 3rd or other Some of it Maybe/Unsure Maybe/Unsure Maybe/Unsure Maybe/Unsure Maybe/Unsure Maybe/Unsure No No No No No No No Why would you recommend or not recommend UCSC to a friend? If you do not plan to graduate from UCSC, please explain your reasons Section VI: Interaction With Faculty This year, how often have you discussed the following with faculty outside of classes? Academic matters Career plans Personal issues Never Once Never Once Never Once Occasionally Often Occasionally Often Occasionally Often Section VII: The Academic Experience at UCSC Please describe your level of satisfaction with the academic experience at UCSC. How satisfied are you with each program or service? Use this scale to indicate your level of agreement: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree Somewhat N = Neutral D = Disagree Somewhat SD = Strongly Disagree NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA UCSC is stimulating and academically challenging My preferred major is not available at UCSC I am satisfied with the individual attention from instructors I find the academic workload to be too difficult I can't find tutoring or get enough help with classes I have had no difficulty finding study partners or groups I have had difficulty enrolling in courses in my major I have had difficulty enrolling in courses needed to satisfy the general education requirements University of California, Santa Cruz SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA A A A A A A A A N N N N N N N N D D D D D D D D SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD The 1997 Undergraduate Experience Survey 28 Section VIII: The Social Experience at UCSC The questions in this section address your satisfaction with your social experience at UCSC. Where are you currently living? On campus Off campus For the following questions, please use the scale to indicate your level of agreement: SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree Somewhat N = Neutral D = Disagree Somewhat SD = Strongly Disagree NA NA NA NA NA NA NA I have many close friends at UCSC I am uncomfortable with the amount of drug or alcohol use on campus People with different beliefs and values are treated with respect at UCSC I often attend plays, musical events, sporting events, recreational activities or student clubs at UCSC I often attend social events at my college I often attend social events on campus outside my college I often attend social events off campus SA SA SA SA A A A A N N N N D D D D SD SD SD SD SA A N D SD SA A N D SD SA A N D SD For the current academic year, please rate the extent of problems you experienced due to the following factors. Family crisis or family responsibilities Balancing school with work Not enough financial support Living away from home Academic warning, probation or disqualification Not eligible for financial aid Finding work on or off campus Deciding which courses to take Deciding upon a major My academic performance Managing my time Stress Managing my finances My living situation (including housemates) Personal relationships (friends, boyfriend/girlfriend) Balancing school with social and personal life Health Finding a social niche at UC Santa Cruz None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large One last question: This is the first time this survey has been administered on the World Wide Web (WWW). Did you have any problems with obtaining access to the WWW or with the format of the questionnaire? University of California, Santa Cruz