UTHSCSA Student Satisfaction Survey Report Academic Year ...students.uthscsa.edu/data/wp-content/uploads/sites/... · UTHSCSA Student Satisfaction Survey Report Academic Year 2013-2014

UTHSCSA Student Satisfaction Survey Report

Academic Year 2013-2014

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Report Summary

In order to better understand the student experience at UTHSCSA, UTHSCSA students, who were enrolled in courses in spring 2014, were invited to

participate in the Student Satisfaction Survey. This survey was the first campus-wide student survey in three academic years. Participation in the

survey was voluntary and confidential. Data collection, data analysis, and report writing was done by the Office of Institutional Research.

This year’s Student Satisfaction Survey focused on the following topic areas: general attitudes toward UTHSCSA, reasons for attending UTHSCSA,

academic advising, student financial aid, the campus environment, parking, safety, food services, Gold’s Gym, Office of the Registrar and

registration, course information, faculty, the library, technology, and the UTHSCSA website.

Key Findings

Overall, students were highly satisfied with UTHSCSA’s student services. Financial Aid, Gold’s Gym, the Office of the Registrar, and the Library

were viewed favorably by students. In addition, students were positive about academic advising (when they received it), their safety on campus, and

the UTHSCSA website.

The survey also revealed several areas of concern. In order to be labeled an area of concern, one-fifth or 20% of the students who responded to a

survey item had to respond negatively to the item. For example since more than 50% of students disagreed with the item, “I feel there is enough

parking available”, it was labeled an area of concern. The following 16 areas of concern were identified.

• Some students felt that student concerns were not being addressed by leadership.

• Almost half of students reported not receiving academic advising.

• Teaching and Instructional Lab equipment was outdated.

• Classroom equipment was outdated.

• Parking

• Students reported not knowing where to go in an emergency.

• Food services

• Students did not know when registration starts.

• Students could not find academic calendars.

• Students found school catalog uninformative and not easy to use.

• Students reported difficulty taking courses across schools.

• Course evaluations were not adequate measures of instructor performance.

• Students reported not being satisfied with the quality of teaching.

• Students were unsure where to go in their departments or programs if they had a problem with faculty.

• Students reported too few places to charge laptops, cell phones, and tablets.

• Finding information on the UTHSCSA website was sometimes difficult.



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Comments

Student were given the opportunity to voice their opinions in 16 different open-ended questions. Students were very thoughtful in their responses.

Each school will receive open-ended responses from their students.

Methodology

A total of 3,184 students were asked to complete the student satisfaction survey online. 1,373 students completed the survey online for a response

rate of 43.1%. Compared with the last student services survey, the Office of Institutional Research more than doubled the number of students who

responded.

The Dillman method, which uses several contacts with respondents to increase response rates, was used to contact students who registered for

courses in spring 2014. Students were sent letters to their email addresses with a link to the survey. Students were sent emails over the month of April

until they completed the survey. A student could have potentially been e-mailed six times to complete the survey. In addition to emails, the Office of

Institutional Research used flyers, electronic billboards and a lottery (where the winner received a Kindle Fire) to increase response rates.

Many offices and departments that provide student services were asked to help with writing survey items.

Reading and Understanding Tables

I. Survey items with similar topics were grouped together. For example, all advising items were grouped in the same table.

II. Titles of the tables are at the top of the table.



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III. Actual survey items are located on the left side of the table.

IV. Standard Likert-like scale was used for most items. N is the number of students that indicated that level of agreement. % is the percentage of

students who indicated that level of agreement. Percentage may not total to 100% due to rounding error.

V. Total is the total number of students who responded to the item. Students who indicated “Do Not Know” or “NA“ were removed from the

total. Total is also the denominator of the percentages.



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Index of Tables

I. General Attitudes Toward UTHSCSA pg. 5

II. Reasons for Attending UTHSCSA pg. 6

III. Was Academic Advising Given pg. 7

IV. Academic Advising pg. 7

V. FAFSA pg. 8

VI. Scholarship pg. 8

VII. Veterans Assistance pg. 9

VIII. Office of Financial Aid pg. 10

IX. Number of Visits to Financial Aid pg. 10

X. Campus Environment pg. 11

XI. Parking pg. 11

XII. Safety pg. 12

XIII. Food Services pg. 12

XIV. Gold’s Gym pg. 13

XV. Office the Registrar pg. 14

XVI. Registration Services pg. 15

XVII. Catalog, Academic Calendar, Degree Audits, Registration Website pg. 15

XVIII. Course Information pg. 16

XIX. Faculty/ Faculty Issues pg. 17

XX. Library pg. 18

XXI. Library Online pg. 19

XXII. General Technology pg. 19

XXIII. UTHSCSA Website pg. 20



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General Attitudes Toward UTHSCSA

Strongly

Agree Agree Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Survey Items N % N % N % N % Total

I feel student concerns are addressed by UTHSCSA leadership.

214 17.20% 774 62.30% 190 15.30% 65 5.20% 1243

My education at UTHSCSA is worth the cost. 445 34.00% 725 55.50% 99 7.60% 38 2.90% 1307

I would encourage my friends and family to receive their education at UTHSCSA.

394 30.50% 677 52.50% 165 12.80% 54 4.20% 1290

I seldom get the runaround when seeking information at UTHSCSA.

228 18.00% 673 53.20% 271 21.40% 93 7.40% 1265

I think UTHSCSA has a good reputation in the community. 462 36.10% 767 59.90% 42 3.30% 10 0.80% 1281



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Reason for Attending UTHSCSA

Major effect

on my

decision

Moderate

effect on my

decision

Minor effect

on my

decision

No effect on

my decision


Good ranking in external resource 147 31.70% 165 35.60% 80 17.20% 72 15.50% 464

Opportunities to serve in the local community 98 21.00% 109 23.40% 93 20.00% 166 35.60% 466

Opportunities to serve in the global community 79 17.20% 98 21.40% 83 18.10% 198 43.20% 458

Recommendation from a professor or mentor 95 21.20% 98 21.80% 58 12.90% 198 44.10% 449

Strong reputation for my particular specialty 162 35.10% 127 27.50% 68 14.80% 104 22.60% 461

Conducts significant research in my chief areas of interest 79 17.80% 67 15.10% 99 22.20% 200 44.90% 445

Formed a good impression during my interview 186 42.90% 104 24.00% 43 9.90% 101 23.30% 434

Have family or personal ties to the area 128 28.10% 57 12.50% 44 9.60% 227 49.80% 456

Want to live and work in the area after graduation 111 24.40% 86 18.90% 52 11.40% 206 45.30% 455

Less expensive than other schools 160 34.70% 108 23.40% 62 13.40% 131 28.40% 461

Offered me scholarship/fellowship 67 15.20% 54 12.20% 47 10.60% 274 62.00% 442

Note: Only students new to UTHSCSA answered these items.



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Was Academic Advising Given?

No, I have

never

received

academic

advising

Yes, but not

this academic

year

Yes, during

this academic

year

Survey Items N % N % N % Total

Have you received academic advising at UTHSCSA?

682 51.60% 190 14.40% 450 34.00% 1322

Academic Advising

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


My academic advisor(s) helped me register for the correct courses.

147 32.20% 234 51.20% 61 13.30% 15 3.30% 457

My academic advisor(s) quickly responded to emails. 221 39.10% 294 52.00% 36 6.40% 14 2.50% 565

My academic advisor(s) is available for face to face meetings.

236 42.70% 293 53.00% 16 2.90% 8 1.40% 553

My advisor(s) was prepared for my appointment. 233 43.70% 266 49.90% 28 5.30% 6 1.10% 533

My advisor(s) seemed genuinely interested in me. 262 47.20% 260 46.80% 23 4.10% 10 1.80% 555

My advisor(s) provided me with accurate information. 242 43.00% 287 51.00% 23 4.10% 11 2.00% 563

My advisor(s) was helpful in discussing my career plans and goals.

225 42.60% 259 49.10% 31 5.90% 13 2.50% 528

I feel confident that my advisor(s) will follow up on any unresolved issues.

223 41.50% 248 46.20% 53 9.90% 13 2.40% 537



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FAFSA

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


The FAFSA form was easy to complete. 326 34.50% 546 57.80% 66 7.00% 7 0.70% 945

UTHSCSA financial aid staff were helpful in completing the FAFSA.

216 39.10% 268 48.50% 51 9.20% 18 3.30% 553

UTHSCSA financial staff was knowledgeable about the FAFSA.

231 40.20% 309 53.80% 24 4.20% 10 1.70% 574

Scholarship

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


The UTHSCSA scholarship application process was easy. 168 28.70% 346 59.10% 58 9.90% 13 2.20% 585

UTHSCSA financial aid staff were helpful during the scholarship application process.

124 32.40% 210 54.80% 35 9.10% 14 3.70% 383

UTHSCSA financial aid staff were knowledgeable about the scholarship application process.

127 32.60% 225 57.80% 28 7.20% 9 2.30% 389



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Veteran’s Assistance

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


The veteran's assistance process was easy. 37 42.50% 41 47.10% ** ** ** ** 87

UTHSCSA financial aid staff were helpful during the veteran's assistance application process.

48 57.10% 30 35.70% 6 7.10% 0 0 84

UTHSCSA financial aid staff were knowledgeable about the veteran's assistance application process.

46 54.80% 30 35.70% ** ** ** ** 84

UTHSCSA financial aid staff replied promptly to my emails/ phone calls about the veteran's assistance application process.

47 54.70% 33 38.40% 6 7.00% 0 0 86

** Cell removed due to low cell size.



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Office of Financial Aid

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I was able to find information about financial aid opportunities on UTHSCSA's website.

122 14.50% 525 62.40% 175 20.80% 19 2.30% 841

The financial aid award package I received was adequate to meet my basic financial needs for this academic year.

183 19.50% 543 57.80% 147 15.70% 66 7.00% 939

The financial aid staff were prompt when responding to my emails.

233 30.70% 482 63.40% 33 4.30% 12 1.60% 760

Financial aid staff have been professional. 315 37.10% 508 59.80% 18 2.10% 8 0.90% 849

Financial aid staff are knowledgeable about financial aid policies and procedures.

290 35.20% 500 60.80% 21 2.60% 12 1.50% 823

Financial aid staff have been helpful when I have needed assistance.

312 37.60% 469 56.60% 36 4.30% 12 1.40% 829

I consider myself knowledgeable about student financial aid. 159 16.80% 585 61.70% 165 17.40% 39 4.10% 948

Number of Visits to Financial Aid

1 time 2 times 3 times 4 times 5 times

More than

5 times Never

Survey Items N % N % N % N % N % N % N % Total

During the past year, how many times have you telephoned the financial aid office?

224 21.00% 175 16.40% 103 9.60% 43 4.00% 18 1.70% 26 2.40% 479 44.90% 1068

During the past year, how many times have you visited the financial aid office?

260 24.40% 190 17.80% 104 9.80% 35 3.30% 15 1.40% 23 2.20% 439 41.20% 1066



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Campus Environment

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


The campus grounds are well maintained. 509 40.80% 699 56.00% 35 2.80% 6 0.50% 1249

UTHSCSA restrooms are well maintained. 359 28.80% 742 59.60% 123 9.90% 21 1.70% 1245

Teaching/ instructional laboratories are equipped with the latest equipment.

248 21.70% 625 54.60% 205 17.90% 66 5.80% 1144

Teaching/ instructional laboratories are safe. 405 35.30% 698 60.80% 34 3.00% 11 1.00% 1148

Research laboratories are equipped with the latest equipment.

179 26.40% 388 57.20% 83 12.20% 28 4.10% 678

Research laboratories are safe. 224 33.40% 421 62.80% 18 2.70% 7 1.00% 670

Classrooms are equipped with the latest equipment. 211 17.50% 631 52.40% 255 21.20% 107 8.90% 1204

Parking

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I feel there is enough parking available. 105 8.90% 485 41.10% 329 27.90% 260 22.10% 1179

The parking fees are reasonable. 67 5.70% 412 35.10% 411 35.00% 284 24.20% 1174



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Safety

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I feel safe when I attend my courses. 584 47.00% 645 51.90% 8 0.60% 5 0.40% 1242

I feel safe in the parking lots/ garages. 375 30.70% 697 57.10% 124 10.20% 25 2.00% 1221

I know where to go in an emergency. 277 22.90% 602 49.80% 286 23.70% 44 3.60% 1209

I have signed up for the emergency alert system. 465 39.50% 593 50.40% 103 8.80% 16 1.40% 1177

Food Services

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


Food service hours are acceptable. 132 11.70% 628 55.60% 290 25.70% 79 7.00% 1129

Overall, I am pleased with food services on campus. 115 10.10% 589 51.70% 287 25.20% 148 13.00% 1139



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Gold’s Gym

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


The facilities at the Campus Fitness Center (Gold's Gym) met my fitness needs.

438 49.00% 412 46.10% 32 3.60% 11 1.20% 893

I was satisfied with the times that exercise classes were offered at the Campus Fitness Center (Gold's Gym).

333 44.70% 344 46.20% 52 7.00% 16 2.10% 745

The exercise equipment available at Campus Fitness Center (Gold's Gym) met my needs.

397 45.00% 427 48.40% 38 4.30% 21 2.40% 883



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Office of the Registrar

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


When I contacted the Office of the Registrar, I was assisted in a reasonable period of time.

194 36.40% 306 57.40% 22 4.10% 11 2.10% 533

The Office of the Registrar staff member(s) seemed willing to 'go the extra mile' to help meet my needs.

144 28.70% 251 50.00% 81 16.10% 26 5.20% 502

The Office of the Registrar staff member(s) were professional.

189 35.90% 313 59.50% 14 2.70% 10 1.90% 526

The Office of the Registrar staff member(s) answered my questions in an easy to understand way.

182 34.20% 302 56.80% 33 6.20% 15 2.80% 532

When I contacted the Office of the Registrar, I found the staff to be easily accessible by phone, e-mail, or in-person.

180 34.50% 287 55.00% 41 7.90% 14 2.70% 522

If my request could not be immediately satisfied, the Office of the Registrar staff member(s) gave me a clear understanding of the steps needed for resolution.

148 31.30% 266 56.20% 43 9.10% 16 3.40% 473



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Registration Services

Very

satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

Very

dissatisfied


Adding courses 287 26.50% 672 62.20% 92 8.50% 30 2.80% 1081

Dropping courses 213 26.10% 535 65.50% 53 6.50% 16 2.00% 817

Receiving a transcript 225 27.80% 522 64.60% 51 6.30% 10 1.20% 808

Using the Student Self-Service Portal (VIA inside.UTHSCSA.edu)

292 24.60% 727 61.20% 129 10.90% 40 3.40% 1188

Viewing current course schedule 290 26.20% 706 63.80% 90 8.10% 21 1.90% 1107

Catalog, Academic Calendar, Degree Audits, Registration Website

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I am well informed on when registration starts. 255 21.50% 637 53.60% 226 19.00% 70 5.90% 1188

I can find the academic calendar for my school easily. 241 20.10% 592 49.50% 281 23.50% 83 6.90% 1197

I found using the school catalog easy. 165 17.80% 460 49.70% 235 25.40% 66 7.10% 926

The school catalog is informative. 168 19.50% 503 58.40% 143 16.60% 47 5.50% 861

I am pleased with the degree audit process. 133 22.10% 361 60.00% 72 12.00% 36 6.00% 602

I have found the information on the registrar’s website helpful.

169 19.90% 521 61.40% 119 14.00% 39 4.60% 848



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Course Information

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


Courses required to complete my degree are available when I need to take them.

433 39.20% 592 53.60% 53 4.80% 27 2.40% 1105

Classes are scheduled at times that are convenient for me. 335 29.70% 636 56.40% 119 10.50% 38 3.40% 1128

It is easy to take courses taught in other schools. 77 16.10% 197 41.10% 124 25.90% 81 16.90% 479

I often want to take courses offered outside of my school. 93 13.40% 209 30.20% 240 34.70% 150 21.70% 692



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Faculty

Very

satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied

Very

dissatisfied


Course and instructor evaluations as adequate measures of instructor performance

278 23.50% 667 56.40% 176 14.90% 61 5.20% 1182

Curriculum and course content 266 21.50% 768 62.00% 150 12.10% 55 4.40% 1239

Professionalism of the faculty 386 31.20% 686 55.50% 120 9.70% 44 3.60% 1236

Quality of teaching 260 21.00% 728 58.80% 197 15.90% 53 4.30% 1238

Quality of guidance provided by major professor/ mentor (professional report, thesis, and dissertation)

312 29.50% 587 55.40% 112 10.60% 48 4.50% 1059

Faculty Issues

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


If I had an issue with a faculty member, I know whom to contact in my department/program.

286 24.70% 532 45.90% 226 19.50% 115 9.90% 1159



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Library

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I am satisfied with the library’s hours. 445 44.30% 501 49.90% 44 4.40% 14 1.40% 1004

The library has all of the technology I need to successfully study.

381 40.60% 517 55.10% 31 3.30% 10 1.10% 939

Library staff helped me locate materials I needed. 387 46.80% 415 50.20% 17 2.10% 8 1.00% 827

I am satisfied with the printed materials (journals, books) available at the library.

325 40.80% 439 55.10% 24 3.00% 9 1.10% 797

There are enough study areas in the library. 350 35.50% 529 53.60% 80 8.10% 28 2.80% 987

The library group study rooms are well equipped. 407 42.80% 509 53.60% 23 2.40% 11 1.20% 950

I am satisfied with classes taught by library staff. 228 41.40% 310 56.30% 11 2.00% 2 0.40% 551

I am satisfied with library staff assistance to locate materials I needed.

341 43.60% 418 53.40% 19 2.40% 5 0.60% 783

I am satisfied with library staff assistance with printing or copying issues.

346 41.90% 438 53.10% 30 3.60% 11 1.30% 825

I am satisfied with library staff assistance with computer or mobile device issues.

310 42.00% 403 54.60% 16 2.20% 9 1.20% 738



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Library Online

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


I am satisfied with the online resources (e-journals, e-books, databases) provided by the library.

353 38.90% 488 53.80% 53 5.80% 13 1.40% 907

I was able to find information I needed on the library’s website (http://library.uthscsa.edu/).

356 39.30% 513 56.60% 30 3.30% 8 0.90% 907

I am able to find information on the library website using a smartphone/tablet/mobile device.

244 37.90% 344 53.40% 44 6.80% 12 1.90% 644

I am able to find the e-books I need. 226 34.40% 356 54.20% 57 8.70% 18 2.70% 657

If unable to get a journal article at the library, I am able to get it through interlibrary loan.

218 38.50% 295 52.10% 32 5.70% 21 3.70% 566

I can easily find the databases that I need for specific topics. 297 34.80% 484 56.70% 61 7.10% 12 1.40% 854

General Technology

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


Blackboard is easy to use. 349 28.80% 693 57.30% 124 10.20% 44 3.60% 1210

I feel there are enough places to charge my cell phones, laptops or tablets.

338 29.00% 545 46.80% 212 18.20% 70 6.00% 1165

WIFI signal strength is strong enough in most areas on campus.

332 27.80% 641 53.60% 159 13.30% 64 5.40% 1196



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UTHSCSA’s Website

Strongly


Strongly

Disagree


UTHSCSA's websites look professional. 422 34.60% 725 59.50% 54 4.40% 18 1.50% 1219

I can find information I need on UTHSCSA's websites. 286 23.60% 672 55.40% 210 17.30% 44 3.60% 1212

UTHSCSA's websites have useful content that answer my questions.

277 23.30% 750 63.00% 140 11.80% 24 2.00% 1191

UTHSCSA's websites look innovative and cutting-edge. 278 23.90% 657 56.50% 188 16.20% 40 3.40% 1163

UTHSCSA's websites provide reliable information. 303 25.50% 776 65.30% 85 7.20% 24 2.00% 1188

UTHSCSA's websites provide up-to-date information. 288 24.70% 717 61.40% 131 11.20% 31 2.70% 1167

Documents

UTHSCSA Student Satisfaction Survey Report Academic Year ...students.uthscsa.edu/data/wp-content/uploads/sites/... · UTHSCSA Student Satisfaction Survey Report Academic Year 2013-2014