Student Satisfaction Survey For CAPP Report Calhoun Community College Coordinated by Office of Planning and Research May 2009
ABSTRACT Student Satisfaction Survey Conducted Spring Semester, 2009 The Student Satisfaction Survey was administered on March 9 12 to a total of 667 Calhoun students in 37 classes 374 students from the Huntsville/Research Park Campus participated, and 287 students from the Decatur Campus participated. Six students did not indicate which campus they attended. The total number of students responding represents a statistically significant sample at the 95 percent confidence level with a 5 percent margin of error. Purpose of the Study: The Student Satisfaction Survey was administered primarily for the purpose of obtaining data to improve college services. The survey also supports the College s participation in the statewide CAPP (College Accountability and Performance Profile) report and supports institutional effectiveness by providing systematic assessment of college functions. Methods: The survey instrument for the student satisfaction study was developed by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education to support the College Accountability and Performance Profile (CAPP) Report. Calhoun first administered this survey in Spring, 2006. This report contains data reflecting the fourth annual application of the instrument. The survey instrument was modified slightly in 2008 to add questions regarding student satisfaction with instruction and to delete a question regarding location of safety call boxes (Calhoun does not have them) and to delete a question regarding the variety of sports the College offers (Calhoun offers only baseball and softball). For the Spring 2009 survey, faculty were notified that March 9 12 was designated for assessment purposes. During this week, CAPP Student Satisfaction surveys, CCSSE surveys, and CAAP assessments were administered. Classes were carefully selected to ensure responses from students taking day and evening classes as well as classes at both sites. For the CAPP Student Satisfaction Survey, faculty were asked to distribute the survey in their classes and encourage students to complete them. Timeline: The surveys were administered on March 9 12. The following timeline describes activities leading to up to March 9. January 23 Vice President for Instruction and Student Services sends memo to all faculty announcing spring semester assessment dates February 16 The Dean for Planning and Research sends an email to all instructors for whom classes were selected for the CAPP survey; email identified the course title and section number for requested classes March 2 The Dean for Planning and Research sends a reminder memo to all faculty of selected courses
March 4 Dean for Planning and Research presents an overview of collegewide assessment and how results are used in a Professional Development activity March 9 Assessment begins Study Limitations: Students were asked to respond to questions specific to the site at which they were completing the survey. However, some students take courses at both locations and/or the day and evening. Students may find it difficult to distinguish between their satisfaction among various sites. For these reasons, the all students portion of these results is used for statewide CAPP reporting. Suggestions for Future Surveying: The Student Satisfaction Survey should be administered annually during the Spring semester until sufficient data has been collected to establish a trend. In the interest of protecting student instruction time, the survey should then be placed on a rotation schedule with CCSSE and CAAP which would allow the survey to be conducted every three years. Reporting Results: Charts are provided indicating students overall satisfaction with overall services of the college, as well as services specific to the Decatur and Huntsville campuses. Summary data tables are provided for the All Students, Decatur Campus Students, and Huntsville/Research Park Students. Comments submitted by students during the survey process are shared directly with the areas to which they are related. All charts and summary data tables are published on the College s Planning and Research Website at http://www.calhoun.edu/planning/. Using Results for Improvement: Each administrative leader of the units addressed in the survey receives a copy of results related to his/her area along with any student comments provided. The President s Staff receives a complete copy of all area results. These results are studied and analyzed during department and staff meetings to prompt improvement in services. Beginning with Spring 2009 results, a four-year trend per question was provided to each unit as well. Acknowledgements. Thanks to faculty who allowed disruption of their classes and to the students who participated in the survey.
Summary of Findings Student Satisfaction Survey Conducted Spring Semester, 2009 The following statements highlight areas where students indicated noticeably strong satisfaction or dissatisfaction. These results are reported both for the compiled results for all students and by individual site. The items listed in Areas of Greatest Satisfaction were those for which 97% or more of the respondents indicated they either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. The items listed in Areas of Least Satisfaction were those for which 50% or more of the respondents indicated they either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. Items that received 90% or above or 50% or below across all questions related to the area were also identified as areas of great satisfaction or least satisfaction. ALL STUDENTS Areas of Greatest Satisfaction Registration o The registration staff members are courteous. Business Office o The Business Office staff members provide accurate information. Library o All questions had a 90% or above satisfaction rating o Books in the library are in good condition. o The Library staff members provide accurate information. o The Library has quiet places to study. o Overall, I am satisfied with the Library s services. o Overall, the Library's Electronic Information Access (Internet, Virtual Libraries) Meets Student Needs. Areas of Least Satisfaction Bookstore o The Bookstore s prices are reasonable. DECATUR Areas of Greatest Satisfaction Admissions o All items had a 90% or higher satisfaction rate o The application for admissions was easy to complete. Registration o The registration staff members are courteous. o The registration staff members are helpful. Instruction o Overall I am satisfied with the quality of instruction. Business Office o The Business Office staff members provide accurate information.
o The Business Office is open at convenient times. Library o All items had a 90% or higher satisfaction rate. o The books in the library are in good condition. o The other resource materials in the Library are in good condition. o The Library has the other resource materials I need. o The Library is open at convenient times. o The Library staff members are helpful. o The Library staff members provide accurate information. o The Library staff members are courteous. o The Library staff members are friendly. o The copying machines in the Library are in good working order. o The Library has quiet places to study. o Overall, I am satisfied with the Library s services. o Overall, the Library's Electronic Information Access (Internet, Virtual Libraries) Meets Student Needs. Classrooms, Laboratories, and Equipment for Learning o Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the equipment for learning. Areas of Least Satisfaction There were no areas for which 50% of the students responding indicated they disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. HUNTSVILLE Areas of Greatest Satisfaction Advising o My academic advisor is courteous. Library o The books in the Library are in good condition. o The other resource materials in the Library are in good condition. o The Library staff members provide accurate information. Areas of Least Satisfaction Student Activities o I feel connected to this college. Bookstore o The Bookstore s prices are reasonable.