The Report Card
             A monthly newsletter that gives you the facts...

Volume 1, Issue I 
April 24, 2002

In This Month's Issue:

Student Satisfaction

Next month's issue will feature  transfer

For more information
 about this survey or other surveys, please contact  Erika Prager or Fia Eliasson.

Research and Planning
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Welcome to the first edition of The Report Card newsletter! The newsletter will be published monthly and contain information on various topics related to institutional effectiveness. This first issue is Student Satisfaction. 

Background:

The Office of the Executive Vice President began conducting the returning student survey in 1988.  Since 1990, the survey has been conducted biennially and is sent fall quarter to all students who have completed 40 credits or more.  Students are asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with various services and aspects of the college, as well as the overall quality of the education they have received at Green River. The information collected is used to review programs and services in order to make improvements.

Highlights:

In November 2001, approximately 2,000 questionnaires were sent out and a total of 413 questionnaires were returned (a 21% response rate).

Of the student respondents, approximately 70% were female and about 16% of color.  Over 75% studied full-time and nearly 54% were academic transfer students.  In addition, 67% reported that neither parent attained a Bachelor's degree. 

Students were most satisfied with the following aspects of the college (See Figure 1): 

  • Holman Library building (87%)

  • On-line services (87%), an increase of 13% from 1999

  • On-line registration (85%)

  • College catalog (82%)

  • Access to on-line services from home computer (81%)

Compared with the 1999 Returning Student Survey, student satisfaction with the following aspects of the college increased notably:

  • Campus restrooms (15%)

  • Distance education course offerings (13%)

  • Library collection (12%)

Students were most dissatisfied with the following aspects of the college (See Figure 2):

  • Availability of courses at times wanted (40%)

  • Dedicated parking areas (37%)

  • Security and parking services (30%)

  • Quality of information provided by Educational Planners (27%)

  • Availability of financial aid information (26%)

Students reported that they had gained or made the most progress in the following areas while enrolled at GRCC (See Figure 3):

  • Improving ability to learn on own (74%)

  • Learning to think critically and reason (71%)

  • Improving writing skills (70%)

Students reported that they had made no or very little progress in the following areas while enrolled at GRCC:

  • Becoming more effective member in a multicultural society (61%)

  • Developing leadership skills (55%)

  • Understanding and applying math concepts and statistical reason (51%)

More than 63% of the students indicated that their overall impression of education at GRCC was above average or excellent (See Figure 4). Nearly 88% indicated that they would most likely choose GRCC if they could start college over again. 

 

Learn More About The Office of Research and Planning

If you have additional questions, please contact
Erika Prager at ext. 2569 or Fia Eliasson at ext. 2568