Canadian University Survey Consortium 213 First-Year University Student Survey Executive Summary
Demographic Analysis Gender: Residence: Survey Population Survey Population n % n % % Difference n % n % % Difference Female 318 71.3% 572 59.3% -12.% On Campus 188 42.2% 385 39.9% -2.2% Male 128 28.7% 392 4.7% 12.% Off Campus 258 57.8% 579 6.1% 2.2% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Age: Citzenship: Survey Population Survey Population n % n % % Difference n % n % % Difference 16 1.1%.1% Canadian Citizen 423 94.8% 915 94.9%.1% 17 82 18.4% 161 16.7% -1.7% Permanent Resident 1 2.2% 24 2.5%.2% 18 276 61.9% 584 6.6% -1.3% Visa 13 2.9% 25 2.6% -.3% 19 57 12.8% 139 14.4% 1.6% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% 2 17 3.8% 49 5.1% 1.3% 21 9 2.% 22 2.3%.3% First Nations, Métis, and Inuit: 22 3.7% 4.4% -.3% Survey Population 23 1.2% 2.2%.% n % n % % Difference 25 1.1%.1% FNMI 21 4.7% 48 5.%.3% 27 1.2% 1.1% -.1% Not FNMI 425 95.3% 916 95.% -.3% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Permanent Home Address Prior to Attending the U of L: : Survey Population Survey Population n % n % % Difference n % n % % Difference Alberta 381 85.4% 827 85.8%.4% Arts and Science 337 75.6% 716 74.3% -1.3% British Columbia 28 6.3% 58 6.% -.3% Fine Arts 52 11.7% 17 11.1% -.6% International 7 1.6% 15 1.6%.% Health Sciences 8 1.8% 19 2.%.2% Northwest Territories 4.9% 8.8% -.1% Management 49 11.% 122 12.7% 1.7% Nova Scotia 2.4% 5.5%.1% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Ontario 7 1.6% 17 1.8%.2% Prince Edward Island 1.2% 1.1% -.1% Quebec.% 1.1%.1% Saskatchewan 14 3.1% 27 2.8% -.3% Yukon 2.4% 5.5%.1% Total 446 1.% 964 1.% Page 1
Student Finances Percentage of students that received a scholarship, financial award, or bursary from the U of L for the 212-13 academic year 55.8% Percentage of students that would have not been able to attend without financial assistance 27.7% Excluding work related to a co-op program, are you employed during the current academic term? 2 1 52.4% 2.6% 22.3% 4.3%.5% No, but I am seeking work No, and I am not seeking work Yes, on campus Yes, off campus Yes, both on and off-campus Excluding work related to a co-op program, are you employed during the current academic term? 6 4 2 48.1% Average Hours Per Week: 36.1% 15.6 12.% 3.7% 1 hours or less 11 to 2 hours 21 to 3 hours Over 3 hours What impact has your current non-co-op related employment had on your academic performance? 6 4 2 52.8% 25.9% 12.% 5.6% 3.7% Very negative Somewhat negative Neither positive or negative Somewhat positive Very positive Page 2
Motivators for Attending University How important were the following reasons in your decision to attend university? To get a good job 2.8 To prepare for a specific job or career 2.8 To increase my knowledge in an academic field 2.6 To get a good general education 2.6 To develop a broad base of skills 2.5 To prepare for graduate/professional school 2.1 To meet parental expectations 2. To make new friends 2. Scale: Not Important = 1 Somewhat Important =2 Very Important = 3 1 2 3 Which was the single most important reason in your decision to attend university? (More students stated those in a larger font size) Meet Parental expectations Other Get a good general education Increase my knowledge in an academic field Prepare for specific job or career Develop a broad base of skills Prepare for graduate/professional school Page 3
Application for Admission Percentage of students that apply elsewhere 49.8% Percentage of students that applied to more than one university 46.1% Percentage of students that applied to a college 1.3% For those that applied to more than one university, the percentage of those applying to universities out of province 52.6% Percentage of students that stated the U of L was their institution of first choice 83.1% For those that applied to more than one university, how many universities in total did you apply to? 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 75 7 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 1 1 Given that the U of L was not your first choice, what was your first choice institution? University of Calgary University of Alberta Mount Royal University University of British Columbia University of Victoria Brigham Young University SAIT University of British Columbia - Okanagan University of Toronto Acadia University Bible College Briercrest Seminary Capilano University Concordia University Dalhousie University Grant MacEwan University McGill University Medicine Hat College Queen's University Royal Roads University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University St. Mary's University (Calgary) Texas State University Thompson Rivers University University of Griffith University of Saskatchewan University of the Fraser Valley Wilfrid Laurier University York University 5 1 15 Page 4
Reasons for Attending the University of Lethbridge How important were the following reasons in your choosing the University of Lethbridge? University has a good reputation 2.6 Quality of academic programs 2.6 Specific career-related program 2.5 Size of university 2.3 Size of city/town 2.1 Tuition fees 2. Wanted to live close to home 1.9 Offered financial assistance/scholarships 1.9 Availability of on-campus residence 1.7 Co-op programs, internship, and other practical experience 1.7 Wanted to live away from home 1.6 Physical appearance of the campus 1.6 Opportunities for international work/study abroad 1.6 Friends attending here 1.5 Parents/relatives wanted me to enrol here 1.4 Availability of public transportation 1.3 Athletic/varsity sports 1.3 1 2 3 Scale: Not Important = 1, Somewhat Important =2, Very Important = 3 Which was the single most important reason in your decision to attend the University of Lethbridge? (More students stated those in a larger font size) Opportunities for international work/study abroad Wanted to live away from home University has a good reputation Specific career-related program Parents/relatives wanted me to enrol here Athletic/varsity sports Offered financial assistance/scholarships Size of city/town Friends attending here Other Co-op program, internship, other practical experiences Availability of on-campus residence Availability of public transportation Quality of academic programs Wanted to live close to home Tuition fees Size of university Page 5
Sources of Information How important were each of the following sources of information when you considered choosing the U of L? Word of mouth 2.3 University website 2.3 Campus visit/open house 2.2 Advice from high school counsellors or teachers 2.2 Contact from faculty/staff of the university 2. Viewbooks, brochures, or pamphlets 2. Contact from students of the university 1.9 Visit by a university representative to my high school or CEGEP 1.8 Meeting with university recruitment/admissions staff on the campus 1.8 Recruitment fairs 1.8 Maclean's university rankings 1.7 The Globe and Mail's Canadian University Report 1.4 Contact from university athletic coaches 1.3 1 2 3 Scale: Not Important = 1, Somewhat Important =2, Very Important = 3 Which information source had the single most influence on your decision to attend the U of L? Meet with univ. recruitment/admissions staff on campus University website Recruitment fairs Contact from university athletic coaches Contact from faculty/staff of the university Other Viewbooks, brochures, or pamphlets Contact from students of the university Word of mouth Visit by a university rep. to my high school or CEGEP Advice from high school counsellors or teachers Campus visit/open house Maclean's university rankings Page 6
Recruitment and Marketing Do you recall seeing, hearing, or reading any advertising about the U of L before you came here? No 34.4% Yes, TV ad Yes, Other 5.% 5.7% Yes, newspaper ad 7.8% Yes, billboard 14.2% Yes, online advertising 18.5% Yes, radio ad 14.4% Percentage of students that received direct contact from the U of L while still in high school or CEGEP 51.6% In which grade(s) did you receive direct contact? CONTACT 75.2% 2 15 1 5 2.2% 3.9%.4%.4% CEGEP Grade 9 or earlier Grade 1 Grade 11 Grade 12 Page 7
Admission and Registration How satisfied were you with the way the U of L handled your application for admission? 72.4% 3 25 2 15 1 25.6% 5 1.4%.7% Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Very satisfied Thinking about all the courses in which you wanted to register this year, how satisfied were you with getting into these courses? 2 45.% 38.1% 15 1 5 13.8% 3.1% Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Very satisfied Page 8
Methods and Assistance with Registration Methods of registering in courses: How satisfied are you with the following methods of registering for courses? By mail 12.4% In person By phone 8.% On-line On-line 62.4% In person 17.2% By phone By mail 1 2 3 4 Percentage of students that received advice or help with program or course selection from the U of L 53.6% Overall, how satisfied were you with the help you received from the U of L in deciding on your program and course selection? 15 58.8% 1 5.4% 2.2% Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Very satisfied 38.6% Scale: 1 = Very Dissatisfied, 2 = Dissatisfied, 3 = Satisfied, 4 = Very Satisfied Page 9
New Student Orientation Did you participate in an orientation program before or after arriving on campus last fall? 171 No 256 Yes How satisfied were you with each of the following aspects of the orientation? Feeling welcome at the university 3.6 Providing information about student services 3.5 Providing information about campus life Helping you understand the university's academic expectations Helping your personal and social transition to university Building your confidence 3.1 1 2 3 4 Scale: 1 = Very Dissatisfied, 2 = Dissatisfied, 3 = Satisfied, 4 = Very Satisfied Page 1
Adjustment to University Do you intend to return to the U of L to continue your studies in the 213-14 academic year? Returned in Fall 213 Intended to Return No Yes Grand Total No 14 4 18 Yes Not sure/undecided Grand Total 29 18 61 37 29 34 336 47 41 Major How much success have you had in adjusting to the following at university? 4 3.8 3.7 3 2.8 2.8 2.9 3.5 3.1 3.1 2.9 3.1 3.1 3. 2.6 2 1 Feeling as if I belong at university Making new friends with other students Becoming involved in campus activities Finding useful information and resources on careers Choosing a program of studies to meet objectives Meeting academic demands Getting academic advice Finding help with questions or problems Understanding content and information presented in courses Performing adequately in written assignments Organizing my time to complete academic work Performing adequately in courses requiring mathematical skills New living arrangements Finding my way around campus Using the library Finding suitable and afforadable housing 2.6 2.2 Returned in Fall 213 No Yes Scale: 1 = None, 2 = Very Little, 3 = Some, 4 = Very Much Page 11
University Satisfaction How satisfied are you with each of the following aspects of the U of L? Personal safety on campus 3.6 Study space 3.5 General condition of building and grounds 3.5 Average size of your classes 3.5 Instructional facilities Social and informal meeting places Your university's commitment to environmental sustainability Concern shown by the university for you as an individual 3. 1 2 3 4 Have you used the following services at the U of L? Athletic facilities 28 Career counselling services 43 Personal counselling services 7 Library facilities 348 Other recreational facilities 28 Computer support services 129 Online course management systems 381 Employment services 38 University email 391 Study skills or learning support services 83 Academic advising 289 Facilities for student associations, clubs, etc. 137 Services for co-op, internship, and other practical experience 56 Services for students needing financial aid 8 Campus medical services 12 Tutoring services 62 University-based social activities 27 Campus bookstores 43 University residences 189 On-campus Wi-Fi 395 Parking facilities 266 Food services 355 Rate your level of satisfaction with the service: 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 3. 2.9 2.7 2.5 1 2 3 4 Scale: 1 = Very Dissatisfied, 2 = Dissatisfied, 3 = Satisfied, 4 = Very Satisfied Page 12
Professors Please indicate your level of agreement with each of these statements. Most of my professors are reasonably accessible outside of class to help students Most of my professors encourage students to participate in class discussions 3.1 At this university, professors treat students as individuals, not just numbers 3.1 1 2 3 4 Overall Satisfaction Please indicate your level of agreement with each of these statements. I am satisfied with my decision to attend this university Generally, I am satisfied with the quality of teaching I have received 1 2 3 4 Scale: 1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Agree, 4 = Strongly agree Expectations Has your experience at the U of L met, exceeded, or fallen short of your expectation? 11 Exceeded 43 Fallen short 256 Met Page 13