Undergraduate Education Student Faculty Conference April 5, :30-9:30 AM

Committee Members  Faculty Dr. Richard Murray, Professor of Control and Dynamical Systems, Chair of the WASC accreditation committee for Undergraduate Education Dr. Cindy Weinstein, Professor of English Dr. Richard Flagan, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering Dr. John Eiler, Professor of Geochemistry  Students Andrea Dubin (Geochemistry, 2009), Student Co-chair Christine Tung (Biology, 2008), Student Co-chair Derek Chan (Engineering and Applied Science, 2008) David Renshaw (Math, 2009) Mitchell Wang (Chemical Engineering, 2009) Harold Martin (2010)

Overview  Research  Areas of focus  Proposals/recommendations  Questions/comments

Research: Midterm Surveys & Donut Survey  In general, are you comfortable with approaching faculty?  Would you mind having to meet with your advisor more often?  Do you feel there is an effective means of providing feedback to faculty?

Area of Focus: Teaching Quality

 Top 3: Textbook 4.22/5; Collaboration 3.97/5; Lectures 3.87/5

Area of Focus: Professor Feedback

 65.1%- Yes, there is effective means of feedback  If no, please explain Hard to see change End of term surveys are too late No surveys or ombuds in upper level classes  86.6% students willing to participate in 1+ meetings/term to address teaching quality

Area of Focus: TA’s  Communication between TA’s and professor  53% have gotten help from TA’s  45% have not gotten help from TA’s Of these, ~1/2 did not need/want help English fluency, ineffective explanation, didn’t know answers

Area of Focus: Workload  ~11% overall students are overloading  Major reasons Restricted class availability Graduate on time Interesting classes

Area of Focus: Class Attendance  Average % classes attended: 76.95%  Top 3 reasons why <50% Need time to do other work/sleep Lecture style/lecturer Lecture materials available elsewhere  Top 3 reasons why >50% Lecturer engaging Effective teaching (helped to learn material) Material of interest

Area of Focus: Advisors  72% mainly meet with advisors for Add/Drop cards  11% have never met with their advisor  60% do not get scheduling advice from advisors Not familiar with classes Upperclassmen are more reliable Hard to get in touch with

Recommendations Teaching Quality  CPET: Caltech Project for Effective Teaching Certificate after 6 workshops New professors, TA’s, etc.  Updated websites  Encourage in class questions & TA participation Feedback  Anonymous feedback online throughout term  Keep students informed of changes  Midterm feedback in addition to final exams  More ombuds

Recommendations Teaching Assistants  Regular communication with professors  Encourage involvement  Undergrad. TA’s Workload  Accurate course uniting  Require meetings with advisors or registrar  Feedback on # hours spent on sets

Recommendations Advisors  Extend idea of option representatives  Encourage advisor initiative  More advisor/student interaction opportunities Class Attendance  Make lectures relevant to HW  Improve teaching quality  Use discretion with website

Questions? Comments?