Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) Summary and Comparison - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presented to the U or R Campus-Wide Student Recruitment Committee

• Sept. 11, 2008

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)

Prepared by the Office of Resource Planning, University of Regina

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

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,

• verall 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

• f 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

• rientation

–

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 UNDERGRADUATE SURVEY CONSORTIUM

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

University of Regina’s Participation in CUSC

Year Sample Group Sample # # Responses Response 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

• ver-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

• f 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

Student Profiles 2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 ALL 2007 Group 2 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 (International) 4% 2% 39% 6% 5% Studying in Canada on a Student Visa 4% 4% 36% 7% 6% English is the first language learned in childhood and still understood 95% 46% 89% 80%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Decision to Attend University

Which was the single most important reason in your decision to attend university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 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 your decision to attend THIS university?

2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2

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 decision to attend THIS university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 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. Do you recall seeing, hearing, or reading any advertising about this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 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 your decision to attend this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 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

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

How satisfied were you with the way the university handled your application for admission?

93% 95% 92% 93%

% Satisfied and Very Satisfied

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Application at other Institutions

Did you apply for admission to more than one university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2 % responded "Yes" 28% 42% 74% If yes, how many did you apply to? % that applied to Two 65% 40% 26% % that applied to Three 21% 28% 39% % that applied to Four 6% 12% 16% % that applied to Five or more 8% 20% 19% Did you apply for admission to a university outside of your home province? % responded "Yes" 50% 76% 32% Did you also apply to a college (other than a CEGEP)? % responded "Yes" 6% 10% 17% Is the university you are attending your first choice? % responded "Yes" 90% 70% 79% Did you apply for admission to more than one university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2 % responded "Yes" 28% 42% 74% If yes, how many did you apply to? % that applied to Two 65% 40% 26% % that applied to Three 21% 28% 39% % that applied to Four 6% 12% 16% % that applied to Five or more 8% 20% 19% Did you apply for admission to a university outside of your home province? % responded "Yes" 50% 76% 32% Did you also apply to a college (other than a CEGEP)? % responded "Yes" 6% 10% 17% Is the university you are attending your first choice? % responded "Yes" 90% 70% 79%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Assistance with Course Selection

Before or while registering, did you receive advice or help about your program or course selection from this university?

2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2 % responded "Yes" 63% 71% 68% 50%

Overall, how satisfied were you with this help you received from the university in deciding on your program and course selections?

2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2 % responded "Somewhat satisfied" or "Very satisfied" 95% 93% 94%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Methods and satisfaction with course registration

2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2

Have you had experience with the following method of course registration?

On-line 5% 84% 80% 80% By phone 10% 10% 20% 20% In person 57% 38% 48% 48% By mail 37% 24% 28% 28%

Rate your level of satisfaction with each method you used

On-line 94% 88% 88% By phone 85% 92% 82% In person 89% 83% 89% By mail 92% 76% 88% % that responded "Yes" % that responded "Somewhat satisfied" or "Very satisfied"

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Ability to Register in Preferred Courses

Last fall, to what extent were you able to register in the courses you wanted? 2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group 2 Not at all 5% 1% 0% 3% Somewhat 14% 7% 7% 10% Mostly 27% 35% 40% 34% Completely 54% 57% 53% 53%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Orientation Programs: Participation & Satisfaction

Participation in an Orientation Program 2004 REG 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 Group2 % of students that participated in an orientation program 63% 70% 52% 69% Level of satisfaction with various aspects of the orientation (% sat + v.sat) Feeling welcome at the university 95% 94% 97% 63% Helping you understand the university's academic expectations 80% 78% 84% 55% Helping your personal and social transition to university. 75% 75% 71% 56% Providing information about campus life 81% 83% 94% 58% Providing information about student services 86% 86% 87% 56% Building your confidence 70% 73% 77% 53%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Use and Satisfaction with Services

Percent of students that have used each service at this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 ALL 2007 G 2 Campus bookstores 99% 97% 99% 98% Library facilities 85% 92% 86% 90% Computer facilities 75% 78% 75% 79% Food services 74% 68% 73% 83% Parking facilities 68% 55% 67% 42% Athletic facilities 66% 72% 67% 58% Academic advising 50% 60% 51% 36% Other recreational facilities 49% 50% 49% 48% University-based social activities 38% 27% 37% 48% University residences 29% 35% 30% 49% Facilities for student associations, clubs, etc. 20% 22% 20% 29%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Use and Satisfaction with Services (cont’d)

Percent of students that have used each service at this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 ALL 2007 G2 Tutoring services 17% 30% 19% 15% Campus medical services 15% 8% 14% 26% Study skills / learning support services 15% 32% 17% 20% Personal counselling services 15% 27% 16% 14% Services for students needing financial aid 15% 17% 15% 23% Career counselling services 10% 10% 10% 8% Employment services 7% 23% 9% 12% International student services 7% 40% 11% 6% Services for First Nations students 4% 5% 4% 3% Co-op program 4% 7% 4% 9% Services for students with disabilities 4% 8% 4% 5%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Use and Satisfaction with Services (cont’d)

How satisfied are you with each of the following services at this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 G2 REG Minus G2 LOE Minus G2 % Satisfied or Very satisfied % Point Difference Personal counselling services 98% 73% 88% 10%

• 15%

Athletic facilities 98% 95% 94% 4% 1% Other recreational facilities 98% 93% 97% 2%

• 4%

Computer facilities 97% 96% 96% 2% 0% University-based social activities 97% 71% 91% 6%

• 19%

International student services 96% 92% 90% 6% 2% Library facilities 96% 96% 95% 1% 1% Campus medical services 94% 80% 87% 7%

• 7%

Services for First Nations students 94% 50% 96%

• 1%
• 46%

Employment services 94% 92% 86% 8% 7% Services for students with disabilities 94% 33% 91% 3%

• 58%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Use and Satisfaction with Services (cont’d)

How satisfied are you with each of the following services at this university? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 G2 REG Minus G2 LOE Minus G2

% Satisfied or Very satisfied % Point Difference

Co-op program 93% 75% 90% 3%

• 15%

Career counselling services 93% 83% 90% 2%

• 7%

Study skills / learning support services 93% 88% 92% 1%

• 4%

Facilities for student associations, clubs, etc. 92% 80% 95%

• 3%
• 15%

Campus bookstores 92% 90% 87% 5% 3% University residences 92% 71% 85% 7%

• 13%

Food services 91% 83% 69% 22% 13% Academic advising 90% 91% 88% 2% 3% Services for students needing financial aid 88% 89% 89%

• 1%

0% Tutoring services 86% 76% 90%

• 4%
• 14%

Parking facilities 57% 59% 59%

• 2%

0%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Overall University experience

Has your experience at this university met, exceeded, or fallen short of your expectation? 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 G2 Fallen short 10% 20% 17% Met 75% 60% 67% Exceeded 15% 20% 16%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Satisfaction with quality of teaching, 2007 & 2008

Generally, I am satisfied with the quality of teaching I have received 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 G2 2008 REG 2008 G2 Strongly disagree 2% 0% 2% 2% 3% Disagree 10% 12% 10% 13% 13% Agree 72% 68% 68% 73% 70% Strongly agree 17% 20% 20% 11% 14% Agree + Strongly Agree 89% 88% 88% 84% 84%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Satisfaction with decision to attend this university, 2007 & 2008

I am satisfied with my decision to attend this university 2007 REG 2007 LOE 2007 G2 2008 REG 2008 G2 Strongly disagree 1% 0% 2% 1% 2% Disagree 4% 10% 7% 9% 7% Agree 61% 67% 53% 65% 62% Strongly agree 34% 23% 37% 26% 29% Agree + Strongly Agree 95% 90% 90% 91% 91%

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Looking back on your experiences as a student, what aspects of your experience at university have been most positive? (2008 Survey) – Sample of Responses



Instructors, for the most part, are approachable and very interested in making sure that you do understand the work and are able to think about it critically.



Approachable professors and interaction with diverse student population.



Mostly in class learning. Also, I lived on campus in residence for my first year of study and it was a very positive experience.



Gaining problem solving skills, finding interesting employment in the co-op program, meeting new people, using the fitness facilities, certain professors and their positive impact on my education.



Just the overall consciousness raising Arts classes provide.



• Everything. I really love my university, and I feel it is a huge improvement

from high school life. I feel as though my university is taking the appropriate steps in ensuring I will have a great career when I am older, and I feel as though I am learning a lot. No complaints!

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

What aspects of your experience at university have been most negative? How could we have helped or done a better job? (2008 Survey) – Sample of Responses

 I find that some of the instructors have a very heavy

accent, which makes it hard to the students to understand. As well, they sometimes go too fast with the material, making it difficult to comprehend and keep up.

 'The only thing I found negative that affected my life as a

student was when the university staff went on strike.

 'My first year at the university was traumatic. I had been

• ut of school for several years before starting university. I

received very low grades and felt as though I should drop

• ut because it was very difficult. I'm glad that I didn't,

though, because it got easier as time went on.

 'There are not enough healthy eating choices and healthy

living choices. There are not enough opportunities to recycle on campus.

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SURVEY CONSORTIUM

Contacts, Additional Resources Contacts:

Kate McGovern Office of Resource Planning (306) 585-4954 Kate.McGovern@uregina.ca

CUSC Website: www.cusc-ccreu.ca ORP Website: www.uregina.ca/orp