Anecdotal Comments
Student Survey
2010-2011
If you feel that evening student needs are not being met, why not and how can it be
improved?
• I feel that certain requirements of classes are unfair, such as requiring students in
developmental classes to have to log out of school hours to receive a grade. Many people
for not have time for anything extra outside of school.
• We need security while we are entering and exiting the campus.
• This campus needs some kind of security and the parking lot is not well lit.
• Evening security should be more visible
• Library not open long enough counseling services not there late enough financial aid
office closes too early
• Later Library hours.
• Security could be approved.
• Not enough offered because it is such a small campus. The needs could be met by
acknowledging it is still part of PDCCC
• Have a computer lab assistant.
• I feel that evening students’ needs are being met.
• I think the parking lot is not lit up enough at night. There should be more lights in and
throughout the parking lot.
• The campus security question should have a "what security" button. I have never seen
any sort of security outside of locking the doors and such.
• There needs to be either more counselors or they need to be present more often.
• Financial aid workers are not always in there office between there times.
• More security
• I feel we need more security when walking to our cars at night.
• At night time the front of the school is dark. That is my only problem.
• One why I think is to have more PDCCC computers in the Smithfield Library we only
have one and the school is closed on Friday and Saturday. Some classes we take have to
be done on a PDCCC computer and we can’t use the lab room if there is a class going
on.
• Walking out at night with no security and dark.
• There is no one in the office while our classes are in session. If I ever needed something I
would have to wait until the next business day.
• By the time I come to school the ladies in the office are ready to go home. They don’t
want to have to answer a lot of questions or fix a computer issue.
• Better security at night
• Give them tutors.
• The library closes too early
• Computer hours need to be adjusted to fit the needs of students. It is unfair to students
that they are not allowed to use the computer at times in the evening.
• The library closes before most evening classes begin and the counselor's office closes
before evening classes begin also. It would greatly be appreciated if both the library and
the counselor's office would remain open and hour or so longer than they do now.
What could you not find in the library?
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Usually when I go in the library I find everything that I need
Book for A&P II class called "My Stroke of Insight"
Certain books
The system is too complicated.
Follow the signs.
Did not use the library much
Haven't needed to look for anything yet.
What suggestions do you have to improve services?
• The vending machines could have healthier options, such as baked chips and things of
that nature.
• The college needs more student activities, and the available clubs are not active. That
needs to be changed. There are not enough snacks in the vending machine most of the
time.
• Waited in line for thirty minutes for financial aid. Overheard personal conversations and
not business conversations. Clearly heard standing at the door, students personal
information being discussed including Social Security numbers.
• Need a better student lounge/vending area. Could use a copying service in the computer
lab or somewhere other than the library. Could "spruce" up the college, looking a little
outdated & old.
• Admissions staff schedule was not very consistent. Members were not available 5 days a
week.
• Distance education course lacks live discussions.
• Link blackboard to the HOME PAGE!
• More variety of food in the lounge area
• SDV should only be offered to those who really need it. I am an Air Force Veteran, who
has convoy, special ops, and warfare survival skills; I don’t really think I need the
"expert advice" of a random 2 month online course. I know I am not a typical student,
but making me spend 50 dollars on a book, and pay for a class, just to attend the college,
is a little, well, lame.
• The school needs to be open early and on more days.
• To have distance class fixed in Smithfield
• The Computers at the college are very slow when loading anything.
• Extracurricular activities and clubs: I know of none that exist.
• Computers need to work especially in busy critical times such as semester beginning.
Teachers need to teach! Equipment needs to work (nurse labs), a variety of electives
listed in the catalog needs to be available
• Audio equipment is not good
• Need more help with computer problems; Give students information about tutoring
because I didn’t even know we had tutoring here
• Vending machines should have something healthy in it. We all should know by now that
overweight in kids and adults.
• I can never get hold of the main office and when I do the information is always different
depending on who you talk to.
• The soda machines take money most the time and sometimes doesn’t drop the soda after
you press the code for it
• A lot of the areas online (catalog, web page) seems like you have to go to multiple places
to gather the information for simple questions. Some clarity and updates could be done.
There is another Community College that I attended (Halifax Community College in
Weldon, NC) and I felt they had a much better site and layout of material.
• Vending machines need more food and snakes.
• The student lounge is small and the book store could offer more items at reasonable
prices. There isn't many clubs offered and the vending machine have limited selection
that is normally not available
• V-E-N-D-I-N-G
• By having one on one tutoring
• No vending machines
• Have more things that can relax students. A simple ice cream night made the difference
when I need a break from class.
• The Financial aid services could be better by making it more friendly and helpful to
incoming students. The bookstore would be better if they offered used books or even
allowed students to rent their books.
• Just make sure that the vending machines are stocked so when we are in class all day and
get a break we have somewhere to go to get a drink without leaving the campus.
• In the Registration process I would suggest hiring more people to be able to move the
process faster. The bookstore is decent but you should be able to resell your books more
than 2 times a year.
What would make the new student orientation day more beneficial?
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I think it is unnecessary, and only being used to make the collage a few extra dollars.
More information
If it had more fun things to do
A student starter bag.
To offer it to more students in Smithfield
If it were located at every campus.
• I have never been to one of these since I have never heard what the date for one is.
• Have the faculty there, available, with time-- 2 teachers ran in/out with a 1-5 minute
sharing time. A tour (walk) of the building would be helpful
• I don't think it could have been more beneficial.
• If it was before the year starts.
• To do it before other classes actually begin.
• There should be more teacher input.
• Get your work done on time and do all the work as told to you.
• If everyone shows up.
• Make sure classes don't begin while the orientation is going on.
• Make sure the equipment is working properly and a more organized tour.
• Make it before classes start would really help and be less confusing
What would make the SDV course and/or the customized textbook better?
• I simply don't need it. I am already prepared to attend college; otherwise I would not be
here and would rather save my money and time for more important things.
• The textbook only reviews skills that should be learned in HIGH SCHOOL.
• More information about colleges
• Make it only applicable to those who need it, such as individuals fresh out of high school
• If it wasn't on the weekends
• I already had good study habits, good time management, and great motivation. The
teacher was not a great one. Not sure this class was necessary even though mandatory
• Not so much material in such a short time.
• The cover design should be better.
• If it wasn't required.
• Again, I'd think the way the information is on the site is fairly confusing as far as
assignments, where to go for due dates. I understand teaching students to be responsible
to search and gather information and not "spoon feeding" information; however I believe
that the online classes/program there is already a disadvantage of not being with an
instructor face to face to ask questions with an immediate answer. Although, my
experience thus far, is my instructors are very quick to respond to emails and seem to
have been available most times when I've called them. Overall, I just feel the whole
online system is outdated somewhat at PDCCC. Also, I don't believe Blackboard is a
PDCCC "owned" system, but that too seems very outdated.
• Drop the price
• If the books cost less.
• I have been in college and there is no need for this course. I think if you can prove you
come from another college and maintained an above average GPA you shouldn't need to
take this course.
• Make it less expensive (the book)