2010 Graduating Student Survey Assessment Day Presentation Office of Assessment Fitchburg State College

History and methodology Continuously administered since Fall 2008 Banner workflow generates warning of survey, link to SelectSurvey™ site sent in follow-up . Responses are voluntary.

Sample and return rate 695 usable responses (518 UG, 177 GR) Graduates (January and May): 727 UG, 531 GR Return rates: 71% UG, 33% GR Degree programs represented: – Bio, Business, Comm. Media, Computer Science, CJ, Econ., Education, English, EXSS, Geo/Physical Sciences, History, Human Services, ITEC, IDIS, Math, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

Topical sections Classwork in major(s) Non-major classwork Library/media center Perceptions of learning Experiences with co-curriculum and student services Future plans

Results – Major studies Baseline: Overall satisfaction with FSC (5-point scale). – 3.86 UG (SD 1.17), 4.10 GR (SD 0.77). Eleven items, overall mean 3.56 (SD 0.93) – Availability of classes, frequency of course offerings, class size, quality of instruction, quality of texts, faculty availability, timeliness of coursework, learning facilities, major-related extra-curricular activities, relevance to career goals, level of challenge. UG items of interest: class size (3.87), availability of faculty (3.80), level of challenge (3.76), quality of instruction (3.76); availability (3.30) and frequency (3.05) of course offerings.

Results – Gen Ed Same item set as major coursework. Scores generally about 0.30 lower than corresponding items for the major. Overall mean: 3.31 (SD 0.82) UG items of interest: class size (3.55), faculty availability (3.45), overall quality of instruction (3.42); quality of texts/instructional materials (3.16); match to career goals (3.01).

Results - Library Five items: resources, accessibility, staff quality, staff as teachers, library facilities. Align with domains of the LibQual survey. Overall mean: 3.95 (SD 0.86) Response means: 3.71 – Items of interest: Library was comfortable and a good place to study (4.10); Learned research strategies/sources from staff (3.71).

Results – Learning Perceptions (I) Ten items: written communication, oral communication, quantitative skills, dealing with diversity, conducting research, accessing information, using computer technology, critical reasoning, leadership, teamwork. Five-point scale, “very weak” to “very strong.”

Results – Learning Perceptions (II) Perception end state typically about 4.15 Perception of change typically about Items of interest: – “Comfort with diversity” end state 4.39 – Highest “gains” in accessing information (1.02), using computers (0.96), teamwork (0.96) – Lowest gains (0.44) in conducting research and oral communication.

Results – Student Affairs 30 student services and offices, summary question on extra-curricular campus life. Five point scale, mean Highly variable response numbers. Items of interest: Rec center (4.08); computer labs (3.99); FSC website (3.95); Admissions (3.86); Student Activities (3.84);help desk (3.93); dining (3.18); parking (2.96)

Typical Academic Affairs Questions How many graduates go on to careers in their fields of study? How long does it take graduates to get their careers launched? How do graduates assess their earning power and how successful are they in their chosen fields? How many graduates go on for more formal education?

Results – Future Plans Most (UG, 70%, GR 91%) look forward to full-time employment. Only 13% (UG, down from 34% last year) have full-time jobs or job offers, 12% (up from 9% last year) have part-time jobs or job offers. Mean reported UG starting salary in field of study: $33,776. Mean reported GR starting salary in field of study: $43,648. (Both up, GR > UG). 39.5% (up from 17%) of UG grads anticipate graduate school in the next 12 months.

Overall Size of survey size limits inputs. Small Ns so far for most programs, though data from several years could be combined. Some useful info for academic departments and College offices.

Questions