Student Affairs Research and Assessment
2014 Student Experience Survey WEB INTRO PAGE & CONSENT
Student Affairs Research and Assessment
The Pennsylvania State University
(IRB# 44841)
You have been randomly selected from among undergraduate students to participate in this 15-20 minute
research survey. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback on students’ experiences at Penn State.
This project will use your survey responses together with your information in the student database to explore
the relationship between student perceptions, experiences, and success, but personally identifying
information will never be publicly linked to your survey responses. The overall findings will be used in future
planning efforts by the University and will inform decisions about resources for students.
Participation is confidential and voluntary. You may refuse to answer any questions you do not wish to
answer or stop the survey at any time. Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the
technology used. No guarantees can be made regarding interception by third parties of data sent by
Internet.
By completing the survey, you will have approximately a 1 in 2,000 chance to win one of six iPad Airs, a 1 in
650 chance of winning one of nine GoPro cameras or a 1 in 200 chance of winning one of 30 $50 Visa Gift
Cards. You will be notified by e-mail if you have won a prize by April 15, 2014.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact saraoffice@psu.edu or (814) 863-1809/222
Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802. Note: the survey is currently accessible for those using a screen
reader.
We understand that you are very busy and thank you in advance for your time and participation.
You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
By completing and submitting the survey, you have indicated your consent to participate. Please print a copy
of this page for your records.
<Continue>
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1. My primary college of enrollment is: (UP Only)
1- Agricultural Sciences
2- Arts and Architecture
3-Communications
4-Division of Undergraduate Studies
5- Earth and Mineral Sciences
6- Eberly College of Science
7-Education
8- Engineering
9- Health and Human Development
10- Information Sciences and Technology
11- The Liberal Arts
12- Nursing
13- Smeal College of Business
Please focus your responses to the following questions on your current Penn State campus.
Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:
2. I feel that I belong at Penn State
3. I feel a sense of safety on my campus
4. I feel that I am respected on my campus
5. I feel that I am welcomed on my campus
6. I feel a sense of pride as a Penn State student
7. I have developed close friendships with other Penn State students
8. I think I fit in on my campus
9. I feel there are others like me on my campus
1 – Strongly disagree
2 – Somewhat disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Somewhat agree
5 – Strongly agree
10. If I were starting college again, I would choose to attend Penn State
1 - Yes
2 - No
3 – Don’t know/Prefer not to answer
This next section concerns some aspects of your academic experiences at your current Penn State campus.
Please rate your agreement with the following statements:
11. I feel that my academic experiences are preparing me for success after graduation.
12. Course activities within my major (through presentations, assignments, discussions, etc.) have included
varied perspectives.
13. Course activities in my general education courses (through presentations, assignments, discussions, etc.)
have included varied perspectives.
14. I have gained a global perspective on a variety of issues through my studies.
15. I feel comfortable exploring new technologies.
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16. I have gained hands-on experience in my chosen field.
1 – Strongly disagree
2 – Somewhat disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Somewhat agree
5 – Strongly agree
The following questions ask you to compare some aspects of yourself now to before you enrolled at Penn State.
Please rate how much Penn State has contributed to you developing the following:
17. Ability to lead a group to a common goal
18. Ability to solve complex problems I have not encountered before
19. Ability to manage my time
20. Ability to communicate effectively through writing
21. Ability to communicate effectively verbally
22. Ability to synthesize information for myself in order to draw conclusions
23. Ability to act on what I believe is right
24. Understanding of my own values
25. Understanding of my personal identity
26. Confidence in who I am as an individual
27. Ability to think independently
28. Ability to think about problems from multiple perspectives
29. Ability to work with others who think differently than I do
30. Ability to work effectively with others who have a different background than myself
31. Understanding of my role in my local community
32. Understanding of my role in the global community
33. Ability to resolve conflicts
34. Habits that are associated with environmental sustainability
35. Understanding of how my actions affect the environment
1 – Not at all
2 – Slightly
3 – Moderately
4 – Substantially
5 – Extremely
The next questions focus on the frequency of your participation in various activities while at Penn State.
During your entire time at Penn State, please estimate the number of times you have:
(enter 888 for “Don’t know” or 999 for “Prefer not to answer”)
36. Worked on academic research with faculty outside of class (1 project = 1 “time”)
37. Served on a campus university committee with faculty/staff (e.g., search committee, awards
committee, college/department advisory board)
38. Participated in political activities (e.g., assisted with a campaign, attended a rally/fundraiser)
39. Participated in a club or organization
40. Participated in a study abroad program that was at least one full semester
41. Participated in a study abroad program during a summer
42. Participated in a program away from your home campus and within the United States that was at
least one full semester (study away)
43. Participated in a program away from your home campus and within the United States during a
summer (study away)
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44. Took an embedded travel course requiring travel away from your home campus during a semester
45. Participated in some form of community-based or service learning in connection with a course being
taken for credit
46. Participated in a Penn State sponsored internship and/or co-op
47. (IF ANSWER > 0 in Q46) How many of your internship and/or co-op experiences were for academic
credit
The next questions focus on the frequency of some of the activities you have completed this academic year.
During this academic year, please estimate the number of times you have:
(enter 888 for “Don’t know” or 999 for “Prefer not to answer”)
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
Met with your assigned academic adviser
Given a presentation in a class
Completed a reflective writing assignment
Been required to revise a paper (i.e. turn in more than one draft) as part of an assignment
Participated with faculty members on activities other than coursework (e.g., student organizations,
out-of-class activities)
Attended a lecture outside of class (e.g., University- or campus-sponsored speaker, debate, or
presentation)
Attended a cultural event (e.g., art exhibit, play, dance, or other theater performance)
Participated in spiritual/religious activities on/off campus (e.g., worship, meditation, prayer)
Attended a Penn State athletic event as a spectator
Participated in community events or organizations (e.g., attended a local council meeting, served on
a community committee)
Participated in an effort to raise money for a charitable cause (e.g., Relay for Life, THON)
During this current semester, how many hours do you spend in a typical week (7 days):
(enter 888 for “Don’t know” or 999 for “Prefer not to answer”)
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
Working (for pay) on campus
Working (for pay) off campus
Studying/doing homework or team projects outside of class
Volunteering/participating in community service
Being involved in club- or organization-sponsored activities
Participating in intercollegiate athletics
Participating in club or intramural sports
Participating in Penn State fitness activities (e.g. non-credit fitness classes on campus)
67. How many class sessions do you skip in an average week?
1 – None
2–1–3
3–4–6
4–7–9
5 – 10 or more
8 – Don’t know
9 – Prefer not to answer
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68. How many faculty or staff members do you know well enough to ask for a recommendation?
1) None
2) 1
3) 2
4) 3
5) 4 or more
8) Don’t know
9) Prefer not to answer
69. When you are facing a personal issue or decision is there a faculty or staff member with whom you would
feel comfortable speaking?
1) Yes
2) No
3) Unsure
4) Prefer not to answer
Background
70. What is your age?
1- 18-19
2- 20-21
3- 22-23
4- 24-26
5- 27-30
6- 31-40
7- 41 or older
9- Prefer not to answer
71. What is your gender?
1- Female
2- Male
3- Transgender
9- Prefer not to answer
72. What is your sexual orientation?
1- Bisexual
2- Lesbian/Gay
3- Straight
9- Prefer not to answer
73. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
1 - Yes
2 - No
8 - Don’t know
9 - Prefer not to answer
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74. Where do you currently live?
1- Off-campus (with family)
2- Off-campus (independently)
3- On-campus
9- Prefer not to answer
75. Did you begin your schooling at a college or university other than Penn State?
1- Yes
2- No
9- Prefer not to answer
76. What was your first Penn State campus of attendance?
1- Penn State Abington
2- Penn State Altoona
3- Penn State Beaver
4- Penn State Berks
5- Penn State Brandywine
6- Penn State DuBois
7- Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
8- Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
9- Penn State Greater Allegheny
10- Penn State Harrisburg
11- Penn State Hazleton
12- Penn State Lehigh Valley
13- Penn State Mont Alto
14- Penn State New Kensington
15- Penn State Schuylkill
16- Penn State Shenango
17- Penn State University Park
18- Penn State Wilkes-Barre
19- Penn State Worthington Scranton
20- Penn State York
99- Prefer not to answer
77. Are you a member of the Schreyer Honors College?
1- Yes
2- No
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
78. How many credits of coursework are you currently taking?
1- 1-11
2- 12 or more
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
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79. What is your current academic program?
1- 2-year Associate degree
2- Baccalaureate degree
3- Penn State certificate
4- Not currently seeking a certificate or degree
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
80. What is your current academic semester standing?
1) Provisional/non-degree
2) 1
3) 2
4) 3
5) 4
6) 5
7) 6
8) 7
9) 8
10) 9
11) 10 or more
88) Don’t know
99) Prefer not to answer
81. What is your citizenship status?
1- U.S. citizen
2- Permanent resident of the U.S
3- International student living in the U.S
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
82. Is English your native language?
1- Yes
2- No
9- Prefer not to answer
83. (If Q78 = “NO”)Please indicate your native language. (DROP DOWN MENU)
1 – Arabic
2 – Chinese
3 – Hindi
4 – Korean
5 – Spanish
6 – Other
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84. Is your ethnicity Hispanic/Latino (Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other
Spanish culture or origin?)
1- Yes
2- No
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
85. What is your race (select all that apply)?
1- American Indian or Alaska Native
2- Asian
3- Black or African American
4- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
5- White
6- Other
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
86. Are you a member of an intercollegiate/varsity sports team?
1- Yes
2- No
8- Don’t know/ trying out
9- Prefer not to answer
87. Do you receive need-based financial aid (e.g., Pell Grant, work study, etc.)?
1- Yes
2- No
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
88. Do you have a certified disability?
1- I do not have any certified disabilities
2- I have a certified learning disability
3- I have a certified physical disability
4- I have both a certified learning and physical disability
8- Don’t know
9- Prefer not to answer
89. Please indicate if you have any dependents:
1- I do not have any dependent children or family members
2- Dependent children
3- Caring for aging parents
4- Caring for both children and aging parents
5- Prefer not to answer
Current Penn State location
(hidden variable)
Penn State Abington
Penn State Altoona
Penn State Beaver
Penn State Berks
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Penn State Brandywine
Penn State DuBois
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
Penn State Greater Allegheny
Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Hazleton
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Mont Alto
Penn State New Kensington
Penn State Schuylkill
Penn State Shenango
Penn State University Park
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Penn State Worthington Scranton
Penn State York
*University Park students were asked their College of Enrollment at the beginning of the survey.
The final questions relate to your specific Penn State campus location
Please record your responses to the questions specific to your campus.
Question 1
A
B
C
D
E
Question 2
A
B
C
D
E
Question 3
A
B
C
D
E
Question 4
A
B
C
D
E
Question 5
A
B
C
D
E
Question 6
A
B
C
D
E
Question 7
A
B
C
D
E
Question 8
A
B
C
D
E
Question 9
A
B
C
D
E
Question 10
A
B
C
D
E
Thank you for participating in this survey.
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