The Report Card

A monthly newsletter that gives you the facts...

Volume 11, issue iv - February 12, 2004


Amanda ClementsAmanda (Mandy) Clements is a second year student at Green River Community College.  She plans to receive her AA degree and transfer to New Mexico Tech to pursue a degree in physics.  When asked about campus-wide learning outcomes, she was aware of them all.  She mentioned that at Green River, she has made the most progress in responsibility and quantitative reasoning. "My science classes and club activities have given me a lot of exposure to Responsibility and Quantitative Reasoning. I am the President of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). I work together with physics instructors and my fellow  students -   it is my responsibility to keep everyone up-to-date on what is going on."  When asked about the learning outcome, quantitative reasoning, Mandy said, "Keith Clay has had the most influence in teaching me this skill. He has been my science instructor for the past three quarters."

David Chen

David Chen transferred to Green River Community College two years ago from Kentridge High School.  He is studying art and plans to attend Cornish College in fall 2004. When asked what he was most satisfied with at Green River, he immediately said, "I like the environment - all the trees." David is also very happy with the instruction he has received at the College.  "The art instructors are very helpful.  Especially Cindy Small, Gary Oliveira, and Kathleen Casteel.  I like the way they teach. Also Cindy Small has been very good at advising me on what classes to take."  When asked what he was dissatisfied with, he said, "The bus service.  I live near Kentridge High and it takes me two hours to get to campus. I have to transfer three times!" When asked about services on campus, he said, "I used to be dissatisfied with the cafeteria, but now that is getting better." David also mentioned that traffic entering and exiting the college has improved.

 

  


Welcome to The Report Card, a monthly newsletter containing information on various topics related to institutional effectiveness. This issue is on Student Satisfaction.
Background:

The Office of Research and Planning 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.  The questionnaire asks students to indicate their level of satisfaction with various services and aspects of the college. The results are used to review, improve and develop programs and services for Green River students. 

Over the last three years, the Office of Research & Planning has been working with the Learning Outcomes Committee to revise all student surveys to incorporate questions about student awareness and exposure to the campus-wide outcomes.  The returning student survey was the last of the college’s surveys to be revised. In addition to questions about student awareness and exposure to the campus-wide outcomes, the returning student survey also includes questions about progress students have made in various areas related to the outcomes and the extent to which the college has contributed to that progress.

Highlights:

In October 2003, about 2,000 questionnaires were sent out and a total of 465 questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 23%).  Of the respondents, nearly 68% were female and about 20% were students of color.  Nearly 40% were 30 years old or above.  More than half (53%) were academic transfer students and about 67% were attending full-time.  Almost 44% had attended seven quarters or more.  Sixty-seven percent indicated that they were a first generation college student (neither parent attained a bachelor’s degree).   

Campus-wide Outcomes

  • At least 77% of the respondents reported that they were aware of each of the four campus-wide outcomes. (See figure 1).

  • About half (50%) indicated they had been exposed very often to the two campus-wide outcomes, responsibility and critical thinking, in their classrooms. (See figure 2).

  • Sixty percent or more indicated they had made very much or quite a bit progress in the following areas related to the campus-wide outcomes: becoming a more independent and self-directed learner (66%), being responsible for actions and behaviors individually and in group projects (62%), and writing with purpose, analysis and support (60%). (See figure 3).

  • Thirty percent or more indicated that Green River had contributed significantly to their progress in the following: solving mathematical equations (32%), writing more effectively (31%), and writing with purpose, analysis, and support (30%). (See figure 4).

College Services

  • Respondents reported high satisfaction with the Holman Library (86%), online services (85%) and the college Web page (78%). (See figure 5).

  • In comparison with past returning student surveys, the level of satisfaction with the Holman Library and the college Web page increased by 13% and 12% respectively from 1999 to 2003. Satisfaction with campus parking decreased by 9% during this same time, with only 20% of students satisfied or very satisfied in 2003. (See figure 6).

College Aspects

  • Aspects of the college that respondents indicated high satisfaction with were online registration (89%), access to GRCC online services from home computer (84%), and the college catalog (78%). About 41% indicated they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the availability of courses offered at times wanted. (See figure 7).

  • In comparison with past returning student surveys, satisfaction with the library collection and distance education course offerings increased noticeably from 1999 to 2003 (21% and 19% respectively).  (See figure 8).

Overall

  • Over 70% of the respondents indicated that their overall impression of the quality of education at Green River was above average or excellent and 90% would definitely or probably choose Green River again if starting college over.

    Click here to view the complete results of
    the 2003 Returning Student Survey.

    For more information about this survey or other surveys, please contact
    Fia Eliasson at (253) 833-9111 ext. 2568

 


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