section i : goal achievement - office of institutional research

First Year Experience Student Opinion Survey

Section I : Goal Achievement

1. The following statements reflect the broad educational goals of many college students. Please indicate how much Rutgers has helped you achieve each goal.

Rutgers has been . . .

Very Helpful

Moderately Helpful

Slightly Helpful

Not at All Helpful

a. CareerCareer goals include: discovering career interests and formulating career plans, gaining technical knowledge and training for a specific career, and/or preparing for graduate or professional schools.

b. Social Interaction and Personal GrowthSocial interaction skills include participation in student life and campus activities, making friends, and learning how to get along well with others. Personal growth includes improved self-confidence and leadership skills.

c. Intellectual GrowthA general education involves gaining a better understanding of Western and non-Western cultures and institutions, as well as a greater appreciation of arts and literature, and a greater appreciation of ideas in general.

d. Critical Thinking and Communication SkillsThis broad goal involves gaining an improved ability for critical thinking and increased ability to understand scientific concepts. Improving communication skills includes improvement in reading, studying, writing, and speaking.

e. Personal Interests and TalentsGoals related to personal interest and talents include pursuit of a particular interest, developing a particular talent, and/or focus on learning more about things that interest you.

2. Which ONE of the areas above is most important to you personally at this time?

Career Social interaction and personal growth Intellectual growth Critical thinking and communication skills

http://surveys.rutgers.edu/r02/control.asp (1 of 3)9/10/2007 9:26:24 AM


Personal interests and talents

Section II : Academic and Extracurricular Experience

1. Students have different types and amounts of contacts with Rutgers faculty (including TAs, GAs, Lecturers, Administrators). How often did you have the following types of contacts with Rutgers faculty during your first year?

Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never

a. Talked with a faculty member at the end of class

b. Talked with a faculty member outside of class

c. Met with a faculty member (e.g., during office hours)

d. Discussed class-related issues

2. Please rate your first year experience.

Excellent Good Fair Poor

a. Overall, how would you rate your academic experience at Rutgers University?

b. New Student Orientation.

c. Overall sense of community among students.

d. Student leadership opportunities.

e. Opportunities for community service.

f. Quality of instruction.

g. Amount of contact with faculty.

h. Quality of academic advising.

i. Overall first year experience at Rutgers College.

j. Overall first year experience at Rutgers University.

3. Please rate the following programs.



Excellent Good Fair Poor

a. Concerts (American High Fi, Stroke 9, etc.)

b. RutgersFest

c. Lectures, non-classroom (Maya Angelou, Danny Glover, Cornell West, etc.)

d. Women's Retreat/Bridging the Gap

e. First Year Interest Group Seminar (FIGS)

4. For the following activities, please choose the category that comes closest to the average number of hours you spend on it during a TYPICAL SCHOOL WEEK last year.

No Hours < 6 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-30 31-40 > 40

a. Attending classes or labs

b. Studying or other academic activities outside of classes or labs

c. Sports, athletic activities, or other exercising

d. Working for pay, interning, or volunteering

e. Socializing, telephone, email

f. Entertainment, TV, theater, shopping, hobbies, recreation, computers, clubs, reading for fun

g. Commuting to and from job, school, or classes



Section III : Student Life

The following questions ask you to rate certain aspects of the Rutgers student experience. The first question refers to Rutgers University, overall. The second question refers to Rutgers College, specifically.

1. Rutgers University

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly

Disagree

a. If I were starting over again, I would choose to go to Rutgers.

b. Rutgers has high quality academic programs.

c. Cost of attending Rutgers is reasonable.

d. Students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds get along well at Rutgers.

e. Rutgers promotes respect for diversity.

f. Rutgers provides an environment for the free and open expression of ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

g. Rutgers is committed to the success of students of different racial and ethnic groups.

h. Rutgers has many activities and organizations for students.

i. Cheating is not a widespread problem at Rutgers.

j. Many students at Rutgers use alcohol and/or other drugs.

k. Many students at Rutgers are more interested in having fun than studying.

2. Rutgers College



Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly

Disagree

a. I am glad that I chose Rutgers College.

b. I am proud to be part of Rutgers College.

c. It was easy feeling part of the Rutgers College community.

d. Rutgers College offers adequate programs, clubs, and extracurricular activities.

e. Rutgers College offers adequate services for students.

f. Generally speaking, Rutgers College deans and staff are helpful.

g. Rutgers College is a supportive learning environment.

h. Whenever I had a problem, I was able to find the appropriate support from Rutgers College.

i. Rutgers College supports the needs of students.

j. It is easy to meet other students and make friends.

k. Faculty are approachable.

l. Deans and administrators are approachable.

m. Adequate help is available for academic concerns.

n. Adequate help is available for non-academic concerns.

Section IV : Academic Effort

1. While attending Rutgers, how often have you been challenged to do the very best you can?

Most of the time Some of the time Seldom Never

2. During the first school year, about how much reading and writing have you done?



None Between 1 and 4

Between 5 and 10

Between 11 and 20 More Than 20

a. Number of assigned textbooks, books or book length packs of course readings.

b. Number of books read on your own (not assigned) for personal enjoyment or academic enrichment.

c. Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more.

d. Number of written papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages.

e. Number of written papers or reports of fewer than 5 pages.

3. During the first school year, to what extent has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?

Very Much Quite a Bit Some Very Little

a. Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form.

b. Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its components.

c. Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships.

d. Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions.

e. Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations.



Section V : Knowledge and Skills Development

1. Compared with when you entered Rutgers College last fall, would you describe your current level for each of the following as stronger or weaker?

Much Stronger

Somewhat Stronger

Somewhat Weaker Much Weaker

a. General academic knowledge.

b. Analytical and problem-solving skills.

c. Knowledge of a particular field or discipline.

d. Critical thinking skills.

e. Knowledge of diversity and multiculturalism.

f. Religious beliefs and convictions.

g. Ability to get along with others.

h. Library and research skills.

i. Ability to work as part of a team.

j. Understanding of national issues.

k. Understanding of global issues.

l. Understanding of the Rutgers University structure.

m. Satisfaction with Rutgers College.

n. Satisfaction with Rutgers University.

Section VI : Living On and Off Campus

Answer the following question depending on where you lived your first school year. Choose a response for each statement only if it applies to you.



Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

1. When I lived ON campus a. I enjoyed living on-campus. b. I found it stressful living on-campus. c. Rutgers College offers adequate services to

resident students.

2. When I lived OFF campus a. I enjoyed living off-campus (not at home). b. I enjoyed living at home during the school

year.

c. I found it stressful living off-campus.

d. Rutgers College offers adequate services to off-campus students.

e. As a commuter, I was aware of the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services.

Section VII : Facilities and Services

1. How satisfied are you with each of the following facilities and services? (Please skip those you haven't used)

Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

a. Library facilities

b. Library services

c. Computer labs

d. Classroom facilities

e. Academic advising

f. Tutoring

g. Career Services

h. Housing Facilities

i. Financial Aid Services

j. Health Center Services

k. Psychological Counseling Services

l. Recreational facilities



m. Recreational classes

n. Student Center-CAC

o. Student Center-Busch

p. Dining Hall - Brower

q. Dining Hall - Busch

Section VIII : Online Communication

1. During your first academic year, how often did you . . .

Several Times a Week

A Few Times a Month

Less Than Once a Month Not At All

a. communicate online . . .

with faculty.

with students at this college.

with students at other colleges.

with other friends or acquaintances.

with your family.

b. participate in class discussions online.

c. use the internet for research or homework.

d. use the internet for nonacademic reasons.

OR



Section IX : Academic Advising

1. How much guidance did you receive from faculty and staff in your first year?

A great deal Some A little bit None

2. How helpful was your academic advisor in your first year?

Very helpful Moderately helpful Somewhat helpful Not at all helpful

3. Mark each of the following topics you have discussed with your academic advisor during your first year. Please check all that apply.

Courses for this semester Degree requirements Selection of alternate majors Career plans Co-curricular activities (internships, volunteer work, research with faculty, etc.) How to get the most out of Rutgers

Other, please specify

Section X : Career Goals and Student Employment

1. What is the highest degree you ultimately plan to earn?

Bachelor's degree Master's degree Professional degree (e.g., medical, law) Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D.) Other Post Graduate

2. If you obtained an internship, externship or co-op work experience while at Rutgers, how did



you learn about it? Please check all that apply.

Career services On my own Academic department

Other, please specify

3. During the past academic year, how many hours did you work per week during the school year while attending Rutgers?

Section XI : Background

1. What is your marital status?

Single Married Separated Divorced Widowed

2. Last semester, where did you reside while attending Rutgers?

Parents' house Residence hall Off-campus residence (rented for school) Off-campus residence (primary residence) Fraternity/Sorority

3. What was the highest level of education completed by your parents?

Mother Father

Eighth grade or less High school Some college College graduate Graduate or professional school

Eighth grade or less High school Some college College graduate Graduate or professional school



4. What is your best estimate of your parents' (or guardians') total annual income for the past calendar year? If you were independent, use your own income for last year. Please consider income from all sources before taxes.

Section XII : Comments

1. Which of the following do you prefer?

It's OK to report my comments exactly as written. Please only use my comments in summary form, do not quote.

2. Please write any additional comments you may have.


section i : goal achievement - office of institutional research

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