Residence Life
2011-2012 Assessment: Lewis and Clark Village
Submitted by Program Coordinator, Lewis and Clark Village, Cheryl Greely
ABSTRACT
Lewis and Clark Village houses undergraduate students with a minimum of sixty credits and
graduate students for the Residence Life Office (RLO). Based on vacancies each semester,
students are assigned to rooms in an apartment with one or two roommates. Each student submits
an application and indicates personal preferences in a roommate regarding cleanliness, study
habits, view of alcohol, and smoking. In November 2011 a survey was sent to each student
residing at Lewis and Clark Village asking them to assess their satisfaction of the residence. This
is the first survey evaluating Lewis and Clark Village since its construction and opening in the
fall of 2004. Responses varied from indicating roommate problems, maintenance issues, to
requests for more programming for student social involvement and longer office hours for
student convenience.
BACKGROUND
To accomplish its mission, the Residence Life Office must make every reasonable attempt to
accommodate students’ residential needs. This is accomplished by assessing each application
based on smoking, level of alcohol consumption, study and social habits, cleanliness and age. As
many roommate requests as possible are accommodated based on vacancies. When each student
arrives to move in they are advised of the policies, how to file maintenance requests for their
room or apartment, and given a policy handbook which contains information regarding what to
do or whom to call for noise complaints, roommate disputes, maintenance problems as well as
any policies specific to the Lewis and Clark Village. During each semester the staff provides
various opportunities for the students residing at Lewis and Clark Village to gather in the
Community Center to get to know each other. Most programs are centered around a meal and
encourage socialization as well as having social and educational information available to the
students. Information regarding date and time of programs is posted in the office, community
center, and each building prior to the event as well as in the monthly newsletter. The office is
open Monday through Friday 1pm-8pm. Students can check-out vacuums, brooms, games, and
purchase stamps. The office manager is available at the Lewis and Clark Village office from
1pm-5pm, and Village Assistants are available from 5pm-8pm each weekday. An on duty staff
person can be reached after office hours by phone. Information regarding office hours and how
to reach a staff person after hours is posted at the office and in the newsletter. This assessment
was conducted to inform decisions that may improve services to students placed in interim
housing.
-1-
PROCEDURE
In order to garner information and responses from students, an online survey was e-mailed to
each student currently living at Lewis and Clark Village in November 2011.
The survey was a series of questions, generally “yes” and “no” in response, followed by
comment sections in which students could discuss their experiences. The questions developed
and used in previous surveys at University Villages were updated and changed to meet the
specific needs of the Lewis and Clark Village.
On November 21, 2011, the 34-question survey was e-mailed to all 450 students who were still
living in Lewis and Clark Village during November 2011. The e-mail message contained a brief
explanation of the assessment, of the Residence Life Office, and the RLO’s desire to improve
services at the Lewis and Clark Village. The University of Montana e-mail address for each
student was used.
Roughly three weeks later, on December 10, 2011, a follow up e-mail was sent to the same
address list, thanking those who had already participated and asking those who hadn’t to please
take a few moments to complete the survey. A week later, on December 17, 2011, the survey
was closed and the results were collected and analyzed for this assessment report. In total, 152
residents responded to the survey out of the pool of 450, for a survey response rate of 33 percent.
The assessment findings and recommendations are based solely on the online survey results.
FINDINGS
Based on the survey results concerning roommate situations and environment, of the 150
students who responded to the question regarding roommate selection, 50% indicated their
roommate as being requested, 48% indicated a random assignment, and 75% of these
respondents indicated having no roommate conflicts. Of the 150 respondents who indicated
roommate conflicts, only 59 answered the questions if the conflict was reported to Lewis and
Clark Village staff. Of the 59 who responded, 7% reported the conflict to Lewis and Clark
Village staff and the issue was resolved, while 3% reported the conflict but the issue was not
resolved. Of those students who did not report the conflict, 42% resolved the conflict on their
own and 20% of the non- reported conflicts went unresolved.
Of those responding to the question of noise level, 65% said Lewis and Clark Village is
somewhat quiet with some loud noises at times, 19% very quiet and peaceful and 12% indicating
other noises such as hearing neighbors above walking, music, etc. but not bothersome levels.
Student were asked to indicate the types of services required while at the office (they could
choose multiple answers). The majority of responses were, 75% moving in/out, 60% needed
repair in the apartment, 59% were seeking general information, 54% locked out, 36% checking
out cleaning supplies or equipment and games, and 55% other. When asked about the overall
experience at the office, 79% said it was pleasant, 17% neutral, 4% negative and/or other. The
consensus of the comments was to have the office open some morning and/or weekend hours
rather than the posted Monday – Friday 1pm-8pm as it is now. When asked if the student knew
how to report maintenance issues, 65% of the 29 responding said yes, 35% said no. Those
-2-
answering yes said they learned how to make the report from checking in, 14% read the
information in the newsletter, 8% asked a neighbor, 29% found other ways such as visiting the
office, calling the duty phone, or their roommate already knew. The majority of maintenance
issues were plumbing (clogged drain or toilet) and lights burning out. Of those requesting
maintenance 73% said it was completed in a timely manner.
The survey also inquired about the Village Assistants (VA) and office staff. Based on the results
of the survey (133 respondents) 75% did not know specifically who their VA was and 59% of
them did not need assistance from their VA. Of those responding, 25% said staff enforcement of
policy is consistent, fair and sincere with everyone. Those responding to the questions regarding
what the VA staff does well indicated positively the staff is friendly (53%), visible (17%),
approachable (41%) promotes safety (23%), and sufficiently planned activities (29%). When
asked what the VA staff should do differently or improve upon they indicated they should be
more outgoing or visible (43%), plan more activities (12%), and get info out in a more timely
manner (17%). When asked about events and programming, 36% said yes they were aware of
events, 55% indicated awareness but were unable to attend due to their schedule, 6% indicated
no knowledge of events, and 3% did not care for programs or events that were planned. The
survey asked what activities they enjoyed attending. The majority of responses were for the
beginning and end of semester BBQs and any of the events that offered the opportunity for
socialization with neighbors and food (specifically chili night, dessert night, Sunday brunch,
pizza night and the Thanksgiving Dinner). The pumpkin carving offered during October also was
indicated as a favorable event. The survey asked for suggestions and the students responded to
continue with the food nights, introduce more sports related activities, movie nights, snacks on a
more regular basis, game nights, potlucks, hikes, holiday related activities and culture related
nights. They would also like to see highlights of residents and recipes shared in the newsletter.
The vast majority of the students responding to the survey 129 of the 152 (92%) said they like
living at Lewis and Clark Village and feel safe. Several comments indicated the students would
like to see more visible patrols by Campus Police (bike or car patrols). They also suggested
providing self-defense workshops. The students indicated knowledge of free transportation
services available to Lewis and Clark Village such as U-Dash, Park – N- Ride, and Mountain
Line. A smaller number of them knew about the availability of Griz Personal Safety.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The survey results indicate that the students who responded had a positive experience living at
Lewis and Clark Village. Continuing in the same manner and improving on what is already in
place is recommended.
The following is a list of recommendations intended to improve the experience of students living
at Lewis and Clark Village:

To alleviate residents’ concerns and to promote communication between roommates,
more information will be provided to students at the time they move in to help them
discuss openly with their roommate(s) areas of concern such as shared cleaning, having
friends over, and food and cleaning supplies for the apartment. Information will also be
-3-
provided in the newsletter and in the Lewis and Clark Village office. The Village
Assistants will also have material with them when they visit new students moving to
introduce themselves.

Village Assistants will continue to make themselves visible by visiting new students
moving in, introducing themselves, and leaving information at the apartment as to who
the VA is for the building and how to contact the staff person on duty. More highlights of
staff will be in the newsletter and on the board outside the office. The more the students
see and know about the staff the more they will feel like they can approach the staff with
questions and issues.

The newsletter will continue to have articles informing students of procedures for
maintenance requests, whom to contact for issues, and what to do for after-hours
problems. Newsletters will continue to be delivered to each apartment by the VA. This
will allow for more visibility and contact between the VA and students as well as to
ensure that each apartment is receiving a newsletter.

Continuing to plan events for varying nights each week will allow students to attend
events based on their schedule. Events will be posted for the month, as available, in the
laundry rooms, office, community center and in the newsletter. Events will promote
socialization between students and neighbors, as well as have educational information
available. Staff will include more culturally diverse events encouraging international
students to share their country with others. The staff will look into the possibility of
including more sports related events.

Staff will continue to look into each issue brought to their attention during office hours or
by phone after hours. Noise complaints will continue to be checked and addressed at the
time they are brought to the attention of the staff. Policy will continue to be enforced by
all staff. The person on duty will continue to make a walk around the complex when the
office closes and again between 10pm and 10:30pm. Campus Police will be encouraged
to continue making patrols and if possible to make additional patrols. Security cameras
are in place and are regularly monitored for function.
-4-