Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) Summary and Comparison of First-time Undergraduate Student Surveys (2004 and 2007), With Excerpts from the All Undergraduate Student Survey (2008) Presented to the U or R Campus-Wide Student Recruitment Committee Sept. 11, 2008 Prepared by the Office of Resource Planning, University of Regina
Presentation Outline About CUSC About CUSC surveys University of Regina’s participation in CUSC Scope of this presentation (comparison groups) CUSC Data Results – student profiles, motivation, awareness, contact, key influences in choosing the U of R, satisfaction with services, overall university experience and satisfaction CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
About CUSC The Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) is a group of Canadian Universities working cooperatively to gain a better understanding of the Canadian undergraduate student population. Participation is open to any degree granting member university of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Since CUSC's inception in 1994, universities across Canada have jointly implemented surveys of their undergraduate students. At that time 8 universities participated. In recent years the level of participation has exceeded 30 universities, with 35 participating in 2007 and 31 in 2008. CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
About CUSC Surveys The surveys provide comparative information on student characteristics and experiences. They target specific undergraduate sub-samples based on a three-year cycle, alternating between: – first-year students, – all undergraduates, and – graduating students CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
About CUSC Surveys (cont’d) The surveys establish a profile of undergraduate students and cover a range of topics, such as: Student profile (personal and academic) – Satisfaction with services – Financing – Work / Employment (current) – Overall satisfaction with university experience – Motivation and reasons for choosing university, this university – Student experience and satisfaction with application, registration and – orientation Adjusting to university (academically and socially) – Institutional contact and awareness – Academic program and plans – Areas needing improvement – Involvement in academic and extra-curricular campus activities – Personal growth and development – Types of academic instructions – Career plans after graduation) – CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM CANADIAN UNDERGRADUATE SURVEY CONSORTIUM
University of Regina’s Participation in CUSC Response Year Sample Group Sample # # Responses Rate 2000 Graduating 600 343 57.2% 2001 First-Year 600 302 50.3% 2002 All Undergraduate 1,000 482 48.2% 2003 Graduating 892 515 57.7% 2004 First-Year 1,000 504 50.4% 2005 All Undergraduate 1,000 501 50.1% 2006 Graduating 1,000 551 55.1% 2007* First-Year 1,000 460 46.0% 2008 All Undergraduate 1,000 356 35.6% * 2007 was the 1st year a web-based survey was implemented; also in 2007, an additional over-sample of LOE students was taken (n=133, # responses = 60, response rate =45%) CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Main Comparison Groups First-year undergraduate students (2004, 2007) – Regular (non-LOE) students (n=460 in 2007) from the U of R [REG] – Language Other than English students (n=60) from the U or R [LOE] – Students from comparable mid-sized universities (n = 3192) [Group2] Notes: - The U of R is excluded from Group 2 - In most cases, non- responses and responses of “don’t know” and “not applicable” are excluded - A few examples of the results from the 2008 survey of all undergraduate students are provided CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
University Comparison Groups For comparison purposes, participating universities are categorized into three groups – Group 1 universities offer primarily undergraduate studies and have smaller student populations (i.e, Brandon and Nipissing). – Group 2 universities offer both undergraduate and graduate studies and tend to be of medium size in terms of student population (i.e., U of R). – Group 3 universities offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees, with most having professional schools as well. These tend to be the largest institutions in terms of student populations (i.e., U of S, UBC). CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Student Profiles 2007 2004 2007 2007 2007 Group REG REG LOE ALL 2 Student Profiles Female 63% 63% 50% 62% 61% 18 years of age or younger 75% 86% 47% 82% 85% Visible minority 7% 4% 2% 4% 22% Aboriginal 5% 4% 2% 4% 3% Permanent home outside Canada 4% 2% 39% 6% 5% (International) Studying in Canada on a Student Visa 4% 4% 36% 7% 6% English is the first language learned in 95% 46% 89% 80% childhood and still understood CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Decision to Attend University Which was the single most important reason in 2007 2007 2007 your decision to attend university? REG LOE Group2 To prepare for a specific job or career 50% 42% 40% To get a good job 28% 27% 26% To prepare for graduate/professional school 6% 8% 10% To get a good general education 7% 2% 7% To increase my knowledge in an academic field 3% 10% 7% To meet parental expectations 2% 7% 3% To develop a broad base of skills 2% 3% 3% Other 2% 2% 1% To become a more cultured person 1% 0% 3% To meet new friends 0% 0% 0% CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Decision to attend THIS University (top ten single most important reasons) Which was the single most important reason in 2007 2007 2007 REG LOE Group2 your decision to attend THIS university? Wanted to live close to home 38% 32% 19% Specific career-related program 23% 22% 22% Quality of academic programs 9% 8% 15% Offered financial assistance / scholarships 7% 7% 9% Co-op program 4% 5% 3% Parents/relatives wanted me to enrol here 3% 3% 3% Athletic / varsity sports 3% 2% 3% Friends attending here 3% 3% 2% University has a good reputation 2% 3% 7% Tuition fees 2% 5% 2% CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Decision to attend THIS University (bottom 14 single most important reasons) Which was the single most important reason in your 2007 2007 2007 decision to attend THIS university? REG LOE Group2 Other 2% 0% 2% Opportunities for international work/study abroad 1% 0% 1% Other family member(s) currently attending here 1% 2% 1% Wanted to live away from home 1% 2% 5% Size of university 1% 2% 2% Advice from counsellors or teachers 0% 3% 0% Rich social life 0% 0% 1% Recreational facilities / programs 0% 0% 0% Size of city / town 0% 0% 1% Physical appearance of the campus 0% 0% 1% Availability of public transportation 0% 0% 1% Availability of on-campus residence 0% 0% 0% School spirit 0% 0% 0% Physically accessible for persons with a disability 0% 0% 0% CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Awareness: Early Contact in High School A new item in the 2007 survey asked first-time students if they received any direct contact from this university before Grade 12 or their last year of CEGEP studies? – 42% of Regular students responded yes – 28% of LOE students responded yes – 24% of students from comparable group 2 universities responded yes CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Awareness: Advertising Universities often advertise to make potential students aware of their institution. 2007 2007 Do you recall seeing, hearing, or reading REG LOE any advertising about this university? No 45% 53% Yes, TV ad 8% 2% Yes, radio ad 6% 0% Yes, billboard 10% 10% Yes, newspaper ad 17% 22% Yes, other 18% 18% Some of the “Other” types of advertising that stand out for all 2007 U of R respondents (LOE and non-LOE) include: my (high) school (6%), pamphlets /brochures/ booklets/ mail/ flyers / viewbook (4%) and word of mouth (3%) CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
“Single Most important Factor” Influencing Decision to Choose the University of Regina Which one of these had the single most influence on 2007 2007 2007 your decision to attend this university? REG LOE Group2 Campus visit / open house 26% 11% 25% University web site 20% 25% 14% Viewbooks, brochures or pamphlets 14% 11% 21% Visit by a university rep. to my high school or CEGEP 13% 16% 15% Meet with univ. recruitment/admissions staff on campus 8% 11% 4% Contact from university athletic coaches 4% 4% 3% Recruitment fairs 3% 2% 4% Emails from university faculty/staff 3% 4% 3% Maclean's university rankings 2% 4% 5% Calls from students of the university 1% 5% 2% Calls from faculty/staff of the university 1% 4% 3% The Globe and Mail's University Report Card 0% 2% 0% CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
Satisfaction with Application for Admission How satisfied were you with the way the university handled your application for admission? % Satisfied and Very Satisfied 2007 93% Group2 2007 92% LOE 2007 95% REG 2004 93% REG 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM
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