Student Satisfaction Survey 2007

Administered to 210 randomly selected lecture & lab courses, including courses from all campuses and all levels (response rate = 90%) A total of 3,644 surveys were completed The gender of the respondents was representative of the spring 2007 enrollment. Hispanic respondents were slightly over-represented and black respondents were slightly under- represented. Students on the partner campuses were over-sampled. Students attending the Boca Raton Campus were slightly under-represented in the sample. Juniors and graduate students were over-represented. Financial aid recipients were under-represented in the sample.

Which students report the most positive FAU experience? Those who chose FAU for its reputation for quality, and for academic programs. Those for whom FAU was first choice of institution. Graduate students Students in Business and Education Those who attend the Jupiter and Treasure Coast campus Hispanic students

Primary Language Spoken in Students’ Homes

Student Satisfaction with AVAILABILITY of FAU Programs and Services

Student Satisfaction with QUALITY of FAU Programs and Services

SATISFACTION with FAU Programs and Services

Trends in Student Satisfaction:

0

Availability of Courses in your Degree Program2005 to 2007 UndergraduateGraduate Arts and Letters - ++ Business -- Education 00 Engineering 0 0 Honors College 0 not rated Nursing 00 Science - 0 CAUPA - 0

Availability of Faculty in your Degree Program2005 to 2007 UndergraduateGraduate Arts and Letters - ++ Business 00 Education 00 Engineering 00 Honors College 0 not rated Nursing - ++ Science - 0 CAUPA - 0

Quality2003 to to 2007 Library services + 0 Faculty in your degree program 00 Courses in your degree program 00 Places to study + 0 Advising by faculty + 0 Student health services + 0 Advising in college advising office + 0 Distance learning courses ++ 0 Campus bookstore 0 Career development Center services ++ On-campus housing ++ 0 Student employment services 00 Freshman advising services + 0 Tutoring Services 00 Food services + 0 +

Quality of Courses in your Degree Program2005 to 2007 UndergraduateGraduate Arts and Letters - ++ Business 00 Education 00 Engineering 00 Honors College ++ not rated Nursing - 0 Science - 0 CAUPA - 0

Quality of Faculty in your Degree Program2005 to 2007 UndergraduateGraduate Arts and Letters 0 ++ Business 00 Education ++ 0 Engineering 00 Honors College ++ Not Rated Nursing 00 Science 00 CAUPA - 0

Satisfaction2003 to to 2007 Application/ admission process + 0 In- person registration procedures + 0 Web registrationNot rated in FAU information on the web + - Class size + 0 Faculty concern with student progress & success 00 Helpfulness of campus non-teaching staff + 0 Sponsored social and cultural events + 0 Student government 00 Campus Media 00 Feeling of safety and security on campus 0 - Opportunity for involvement on campus 0 -

Student Satisfaction Survey Student Comments 2007

There was only one open-ended question on this year’s survey. It asked students to add comments or concerns on any aspect of their FAU experience. 38% of students wrote comments (N=1,370) In addition three questions on this year’s survey gave students the opportunity to write an answer different from bubble-in choices.

Typical responses “Accelerated nursing program” “Close to home/ family” “Had no other option” “I was impressed by previous conferences and workshops I attended here” “Only school I could get a job and still go to school” Question 4. What factors were important in your decision to attend FAU? Bubble-In choices: Low cost, Location, Reputation, Size, Academic programs, Facilities, Received FAU scholarship, Only school admitted 255 students chose “other” and specified additional information

Typical responses “Because I was not accepted into the nursing program” “Dislike my program and don’t like this town” “FAU does not offer the program I am interested in” “Not enough courses offered to finish degree” “Student life does not adequately fulfill my needs” Question 6. Do you intend to transfer to another institution to complete your degree? Bubble-In choices: No, Probably not, Possibly, Yes (if so why?) 128 students chose ‘Yes (if so, why?)’

Typical responses Accident” “Couldn’t decide on a major” “Had a baby” “Hurricanes” “Personal reasons” “I wanted to travel” Question 7. A ‘stopout’ is a student who doesn’t enroll for a fall or spring semester but later returns. Have you ever been a ‘stopout’? Bubble-in choices: Yes, No Question 8: If so, why did you ‘stopout’? 96 students gave reason of ‘stopout’

Top 10 categories for responses 1. Scheduling/ Availability 2. Parking 3. Faculty 4. Academic related issues 5. Advising 6. Food Services 7. Condition of buildings/ campus 8. Administration/ Staff 9. Bookstore 10. Campus life issues Question 19. Add any other comments or concerns, especially if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your FAU experience. 1,370 surveys out of 3,644 had written responses to this question.

Typical Comments Scheduling/ Availability “Classes were available at conflicting times or not enough” “I would like to see more courses listed in the catalog actually offered especially for my major; if not, a projected schedule for when they will be offered. Additionally, more information on career paths with each major.” “ Please increase the number of open positions for the distance learning courses. There are a lot of people working, and they need flexibility” “In my program, classes are only offered once a year and only one time slot” “I'm getting to the end of my degree and it is very hard to find the classes I need to graduate”

Parking Comments Summary The majority of parking complaints were short general statements that described students dissatisfaction with the lack of available parking. The vast majority of parking complaints came from commuter students who primarily attended the Boca Raton campus. Many students complained about high parking fees. Students who specified the on campus location for parking dissatisfaction were most frequently students who attend the Ft. Lauderdale campus and students who park in Lot 9 and Lot 6 on the Boca Raton campus.

Typical Comments Parking “Parking is too expensive for what it is” “Need to put more adequate parking” “Need 30 minutes just to find a parking spot” “Please increase parking space. It's always a major problem. You spend hours seeking a parking space.” “I am very dissatisfied with student parking. There is never parking when needed in certain areas such as north end of the breezeway by the Education building. It is frustrating to have to get to class late because of it. It seems like student population grows but parking doesn’t. Expanding parking lots is necessary”

Typical Comments Faculty “Very happy with my professors.” “The professors are excellent, always attentive and available.” “Not enough choice in professors for a class. Some students don't get along with [omitted faculty], for example. But he is the only professor for a required course.” “Teachers need to be more concerned with students grades and be willing to help those who work hard but grades may not reflect that.” “Unavailability of professors, long time to respond to queries”

Academic Related Comments Summary The majority of academic related complaints described specific degree programs and procedures within those programs that students were dissatisfied with. Many students complained about specific courses and provided the name of the course that caused their dissatisfaction. Working students most frequently complained that classes were too difficult or too much work was given.

Advising Comments Summary The majority of advising complaints were general comments describing dissatisfaction with the advising process. Many students complained that advisors were not reactive to complaints that were brought to the advisor’s attention. Many students provided the name of the advisor for whom they were dissatisfied with. Working students most frequently complained that they had a difficult time scheduling appointments with their advisor.

Typical Comments Advising “Advisors should be more helpful, provide students with information and should not discourage students.” “Need better advising – let students know prerequisites.” “I've been to different advising offices and each time the information given is different. Very confusing and frustrating.” “Several student’s expressed concern with the 2007 summer schedule to [omitted advisor] and our complaints went virtually unheard.” “I get the impression that once you are a student it is up to you to find out what you need and then advise yourself.”

Other categories used: (in descending order of frequency) General/ Other Technology issues Communications issues Financial/ Cost related complaints Financial Aid/ Scholarships OASIS Library Registrar/ registration Housing Admissions/ admission process Security/ safety issues Complimentary remarks Multi-campus issues Field experiences/ internships Student government Distance Learning Student Services Commuter student issues Non-traditional student issues Feeling of belonging/ interaction Test related (SAT, CLAST, FTCE) Athletic related Traditional student issues Controller/ payment process Transportation

Typical Comments Complimentary Remarks on FAU Experience “FAU has improved significantly with its facilities and availability of resources, that I have great things to say about it.” “Florida Atlantic University has improved significantly. I like the cafeterias. The counseling center helped me overcome the death of my aunt.” “My experience has been wonderful. Almost all of my professors have been either good or excellent.” “FAU was very fun. It' s like a home away from home. I am graduating next summer and I finished a 4 year program in 3 years. I wish I could stay longer and experience more of this good FAU life.” “FAU honors college is amazing!”