A RESEARCH STUDY TO DETERMINE STUDENT DEMAND FOR A SAILING CLUB AT FRANKLIN PIERCE COLLEGE Prepared for: Doug Carty Jeff Lapointe Kallie Moylan Naz Senaldi Nick Cowden

Background of Franklin Pierce College Founder Frank S. DiPietro George J. Hagerty (3 rd president) State Legislature in year, educational college Rindge, Concord, Keene, Lebanon, Manchester, Portsmouth Liberal Arts, pre-professional study, teacher preparation, Individual & Community

Existing Campus Activities The Outing Hut Campus Activities Board Law Club Student Senate Pierce Arrow (newspaper) Raven (yearbook) Northern NE Review (literary magazine) Crimson-Grey Cultural Committee

Baseball Basketball Crew Cross-country Hockey Lacrosse Golf Rugby Soccer Tennis Men SportsWomen Sports Basketball Crew Cross-country Field Hockey Lacrosse Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Volleyball

Nature of the Problem Clubs and activities are a popular part of campus recreation for students on the Rindge campus, however FPC doesn’t offer a sailing club as an option. “A sailing club could be a positive thing that would certainly help draw more interest to the aspect of Campus Recreation programming.” Doug Carty

Problem Statement Research is necessary to determine if there is a demand for a sailing club at Franklin pierce College.

Research Objectives To identify what funds would be necessary to start and maintain a sailing club at FPC To determine who would be interested in a sailing club To examine the advantages and disadvantages with launching a sailing club

Problem Identification The researchers contacted the director of campus activities, Doug Carty Concluded that Franklin Pierce College has the resources to start a sailing club An additional club would benefit current students, as well as possibly increase the amount of prospective students

Educational Value in Sailing Offers a variety of unique challenges that could potentially develop the problem solving skills of the participants. Having a sailing club could lead to developing other programs, such as a semester at sea. Sailing clubs teach how to sail and maintain a ship, along with nautical skills.

Survey Development Rough Draft was submitted November 1, 2006 November 3, 2006 it was revised by the marketing research class and Professor Little Novemeber 8, 2006 final copy was submitted Final revisions were made on November 10, 2006 and completed on November 12, 2006

Survey Process Cont. The distribution was done using a non- probability convenience sampling method In addition, the research team used a quota sampling method based on gender and class standing. The surveys were distributed between the dates of November 13th thru November 30th The research team handed out a total of 160 surveys (20 per gender for each class)

Survey Process Cont. The research team went to the dorms, campus center, and the computer lab to retrieve our research 40 Surveys were given out to each class, Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. 20 Male & 20 Females in each class

Definition of the Population The population targeted for the study was limited to the student body of Franklin Pierce College, Rindge campus. The student body consists of 1705 students, 817 males and 888 females.

Determined Sample Size This sample size was determined because it would give a sound reflection of the total campus population.

Researchers Assumptions The research team assumed the respondents answered honestly and thoroughly. It was assumed that this sample accurately reflected the views of the population as a whole.

Limitations Time Sample Size Not able to speak directly with prospective students, had to make assumptions

Questionnaire Are you interested in sailing? Are you interested in learning how to sail? Have you ever been involved in any clubs at Franklin Pierce College? How many hours a week do you spend doing extracurricular activities? Do you feel that extracurricular activities have a positive impact on your college experience? Do you think the Franklin Pierce population would support a sailing club?

Questionnaire con’t Would you be willing to pay a small fee to participate in the sailing club? If you answered yes to question 7, how much? Have you ever used any resources in the boat house? If yes, have you ever taken any of the sailboats out? Do you think a sailing club would attract prospective students? What is your class standing? What is your gender?

Results

Results Con’t

Club Involvement by Class

Club Involvement by Gender

FPC Support 1

FPC Support 2

Conclusions and Recommendations Based on the results of the questionnaire it is the recommendation of the research team for the school to organize informational meetings that would allow students to gather more information on what a sailing club at Franklin Pierce would consist of. Bring more attention to the student body about the resources in the Boathouse.

Any Questions?