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North Carolina State University
2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey

This document lists survey questions and response options for the 2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey. To View frequency distributions of the responses to a question, click on the question number.


FACULTY CONTRIBUTIONS (Survey items 1-9)

Please evaluate how well faculty members in your major department do each of the following. (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
1. Set high expectations to learn
2. Respect the diverse talents and ways of learning of you and your classmates
3. Encourage you to be an actively involved learner
4. Encourage student-faculty interaction, in and out of the classroom
5. Give you frequent and prompt feedback
6. Encourage you to devote sufficient time and energy to your coursework
7. Develop opportunities for you to learn cooperatively with fellow students
8. Care about your academic success and welfare
9. In general, how would you evaluate your instructors on these eight measures?

EVALUATION OF NON-ACADEMIC SERVICES (Survey items 10-16)

10. Based on your last two years on this campus, how would you evaluate each of the following services? (If you have not had enough experience with a service to evaluate it, please mark the response "don't know/did not use" and then skip to the next service.) For those services which required interaction with university offices or units (secretaries, tutors, counselors, office workers, etc.), please rate how responsive the staffs in those offices or units were to your needs. (Scale for both rating of services and rating of staff: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
Personal safety on the NC State campus
University Career Center
College/departmental placement assistance
Bookstore services and products
Registration process
Financial aid services: application/award process
Financial aid services: disbursement process
Campus food services
Campus health services
Campus counseling (not career) services
Business services/cashier/student accounts
Campus residence life programs for students living in university-owned housing
Opportunities to participate in campus recreational and other extra-curricular or co-curricular activities
Opportunities to participate in community service projects
Opportunities to develop leadership skills

EVALUATION OF SERVICES (Survey items 11-16)

Based on your last two years on this campus, how would you evaluate each of the following? (If you have not had enough experience with a service to evaluate it, please mark the response "Don't know/did not use" and then skip to the next service.) (Scale = 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
11. Academic advising in your major
Access to advisor
Sufficient time with advisor
Accurate information about degree requirements and course sequencing
Knowledge of campus policies and procedures
Academic advising services overall

12. Research support
Access to faculty involved in research
Access to up-to-date facilities such as labs, studios, and research centers
Opportunities to do undergraduate research or creative projects
Research support overall

13. Technology services
Access to the Internet
Hours of operation for computer center, labs, and help desks
Access to up-to-date facilities
Access to trained staff for help
Technology training classes
Technology services overall

14. Library Services
Hours of operation
Staff responsiveness
Access to databases and collections
Training to use library
Library services overall

15. Career-related Services
Opportunity for career assistance
Information on internships, co-op, or other career-related experiences
Resources available to explore career options
Information available through computers/Internet and other technology
Career-related services overall

16. Employment Search Assistance
Resume preparation
Interview preparation and skills
Access to employment opportunities (e.g., career fairs, interviews, job listings, etc.)
Employment search assistance overall

17. Did you receive financial aid (including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study employment) while at NC State?
Yes No

18. If yes, were you satisfied with your aid package?
Very satisfied Moderately satisfied Moderately dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

19. Please rate the customer service skills of the following financial aid staff. (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
a. Reception staff
b. Phone staff
c. Advisor staff

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS, AND PERSONAL GROWTH

20. To what extent do you think your college education contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in each of the following areas?(Scale: 4="Very Much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very Little," 1="Not At All.")
Writing skills
Speaking skills
Listening skills
Comprehension skills (understanding written information)
Using mathematics skills
Applying scientific methods of inquiry
Enhancing analytic skills
Developing computer skills
Understanding how science and technology influence everyday life
Using books, journals, and/or articles from the library/internet etc. for a research paper/project
Ability to adapt to changing technologies
Ability to critically analyze ideas and information
Ability to plan and carry out projects independently
Understanding of diverse cultures and values
Developing a tolerance for divergent views
Appreciating racial equity
Appreciating gender equity
Advancing your appreciation of the arts
Understanding issues and problems facing the world
Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/process
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
Ability to lead or guide others
Ability to function as part of a team
Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles
Exercising public responsibility and community service
Valuing learning as a lifelong process
Commitment to personal health and fitness
Taking responsibility for your own behavior
Self-confidence
Sense of personal identity
Independence and self-reliance
Potential for success
Coping with change
Ability to handle stress
Personal growth
Time management
Self-discipline

CAMPUS CLIMATE (Survey items 21-23)

21. How would you assess the campus climate for the following groups of students? (Scale: 5="Strongly Supportive," 4="Mildly Supportive," 3="Neutral," 2="Mildly Unsupportive," 1="Strongly Unsupportive.")
Women
Men
African Americans
Other ethnic minorities
International students
Disabled students
Gay and lesbian students

Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. (Scale: 4="Agree Strongly," 3="Agree somewhat," 2="Disagree somewhat," 1="Disagree Strongly.")
22. NC State is committed to helping minority students succeed.
23. NC State has visible leadership from the Chancellor and other administrators to foster diversity on campus.

EMPLOYMENT AND INVOLVEMENT WHILE AT NC STATE (Survey items 24-33)

24. In which of the following school-related groups (clubs, organizations, programs) have you have been involved at NC State? (mark all that apply)
Academic scholarship program (Caldwell, Park, etc.)
Intramural/Recreational sports, Club Teams
Minority student groups
Organizations/Clubs related to your major
Political/Issue groups
Religious groups
Residence Hall Council, IRC
ROTC
Service groups
Social fraternity/sorority
Student Government
Student Media/Publications
Union Activities Board groups
University Honors Program
University Scholars Program
Varsity Athletic Teams
Visual/Performing Arts/Music groups

25. Please indicate which, if any, of the following concerts/performances/exhibits you attended while at NC State (not as a performer/artist, but as a member of the audience). (Mark all that apply)
Music Department concert(s)
Center Stage performance(s)
University Theatre performance(s)
Dance Program concert(s)
Crafts Center exhibit(s)
Gallery of Art and Design exhibit(s)

26. The following list includes several different faculty-student mentoring experiences you might have had while at NC State. First, please indicate whether or not you had such an experience while at NC State. (Response categories: 0="No," 1="Yes.") If yes, please indicate the extent to which it contributed to your personal and/or professional growth. (Response categories: 4="A great deal," 3="Some," 2="A little," 1="Not at all.")
a. Worked on an independent study project with a faculty member
b. Worked on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements
c. Worked on an extension or public service project with a faculty memeber outside of course or program requirements
d. Assisted in teaching a class or lab under the guidance of a faculty member
e. Regularly met with a faculty member who provided academic guidance (e.g., assistance with coursework, course selection, etc.)
f. Regularly met with a faculty member who provided professional guidance and/or support (e.g., career goals, employment opportunities, letters of recommendation, etc.)
g. Regularly met with a faculty member who provided guidance on non-academic issues/responsibilities (e.g., work, family, physical well-being, etc.)
h. Worked with a faculty member on campus activities (e.g., committees, student life activities, etc.)

27. In which of the following work-related experiences did you participate while at NC State? (Mark all that apply)

28. Did your major include a co-op, internship, practicum, student teaching, or other field experience?
Yes
No (Skip to question 30)

29. How would you evaluate this experience in terms of its contribution to your personal and professional growth?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

30. Have you received a job offer from one of these employers?
Yes
No

31. Were you employed either on or off campus at any time during this academic year?
Yes - on campus
Yes - off campus
Yes - both on and off campus
No (mark response and skip to question 34)

32. Was your job related to your academic major? If not, was this by choice? (Scale: 4="Directly related," 3="Somewhat related," 2="Not Related (by choice)," 1="Not related(not by choice)," 0="Not Applicable")
On-Campus Job
Off-Campus Job

33. When you are working during the academic year, on average how many hours per week did you work?
On-Campus Job
Off-Campus Job

34. Please briefly explain why you work for pay during the academic year.

YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (Survey items 35-40)

35. What is your primary goal or objective for attending NC State? (Fill in the ONE most appropriate bubble.)
To obtain a bachelors degree or certificate only
To obtain a bachelors degree as preparation for graduate or professional school
To obtain a bachelor's degree as preparation for a new career or profession
To improve knowledge, technical skills, and/or competencies required for my current profession
To take courses for personal interest
Other (please specify)

36. Assuming you graduate at the end of this semester, to what extent will you have accomplished your primary goal or objective for attending NC State?
Fully accomplished
Partially accomplished
Not accomplished

37. Has it taken you longer than four years to graduate?
Yes
No (skip to question 38)

38. For which of the following reasons has it taken you longer than four years to graduate? (Response categories: 1="Yes, was a reason," 2="No, was not a reason.")
I wanted to/was advised to take a lighter course load
I could not get the classes I needed
I changed majors
I lost credits when I transferred to NC State
Co-op, internship, practicum, student teaching, etc.
Financial reasons
Went part-time for personal reasons (e.g., medical, family, etc.)
Took a semester or more off for personal reasons (e.g., medical, family, etc.)
I'm graduating with more than one major/minor
My participation in a Study Abroad program
Hours spent working for pay
Other reasons (please briefly explain)

39. Did you ever consider withdrawing or transferring from NC State before you graduated?
No (skip to question 40)
Yes, but not very seriously
Yes, I seriously considered it
Yes, I left and came back

40a. In general, why did you consider leaving NC State?

40b. Why did you decide to stay at NC State (or to come back)?

Learning with Technology (Survey items 41-44)

Note: The questions in this section were added in support of NC State's university-wide LITRE (Learning in a Technology-Rich Environment) project. A link to results will be added here when the LITRE Assessment Committee releases its report. For more information contact LITRE_assessment@ncsu.edu.

These next questions ask you about teaching and learning technologies that you might have experienced in the courses you have taken during your junior and senior years at NC State.

41. First, please indicate how many of the courses you took during your junior and senior years used each technology IN the classroom or lab. (Response categories: 4="All/Most," 3="Some," 2="A Few," 1="None.") If you took a course(s) that used the technology, do you think it helped you learn the material better than you would have if the technology had not been used? (Response categories: 3="I learn better," 2="There's no difference in how well I learn, 1=" I don't learn as well, 0="Not applicable." )
Static electronic presentations (e.g., Powerpoint)
Electronic presentation of course concepts via animation, multimedia, simulation, etc.
Instructor demonstrations of Web materials (e.g., library resources)
Computerized exams/quizzes in class or lab
Use of computer stations for course-specific software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, ALIAS, Design Studio, etc.)
Electronic feedback to the instructor during class via handhelds, pushbuttons, laptops, etc.

42. Next, please indicate for how many of the courses you took during your junior and senior years you used each technology OUTSIDE the classroom or lab. (Response categories: 4="All/Most," 3="Some," 2="A Few," 1="None.") Again, if you took a course(s) that used the technology, do you think it helped you learn the material better than you would have if the technology had not been used? (Response categories: 3="I learn better," 2="There's no difference in how well I learn," 1="I don't learn as well," 0="Not Applicable.")
Learning management systems (e.g., Wolfware, WebCT)
Electronic communication among students (e.g., email, chat groups, audio/visual conferences)
Electronic communication with the instructor (e.g., email, chat groups, audio/visual conferences)
Work to be submitted electronically
Work to be prepared with a word processor, spreadsheet, graphic program, etc.
Use of digital content resources (e.g., online articles, digital images, multimedia, databases)
Use of course-specific software (e.g., Maple, SAS, ALIAS, Design Studio, GIS tools, JAVA, etc.) for homework or out-of-class assignments

43. Thinking about all the various teaching and learning technologies that you have used either in or outside the classroom at NC State, to what extent have they helped your ability to... (Response categories: 4="A Great Deal," 3="Some," 2="A Little," 1="Not At All.")
a. Answer questions in your field of study.
b. Solve problems in your field of study.
c. Use the methods of research in your field to gain new knowledge.
d. Use information available from sources such as books, journals, etc.
e. Use the skills and technologies of your field to complete a major project/assignment

Conclusions (Survey items 44-52)

44. How well do you feel NC State met your needs in the following three areas? (Scale: 4="Very Well," 3="Adequately," 2="Somewhat Adequately," 1="Poorly.")
Intellectual growth
Career training
Personal growth

45. All things considered, how would you characterize the intellectual environment on this campus?
Very strong
Strong
Weak
Very weak

46. All things considered, how would you evaluate... (Scale: 4="Excellent," 3="Good," 2="Fair," 1="Poor.")
a. the quality of instruction in your major
b. the quality of instruction overall
c. the overall education you are receiving at NC State

47. Would you recommend this institution to a friend considering college?
Yes No Not sure

48. If you could start over again...
a. would you still choose to attend NC State? Yes No Not sure
b. would you still choose the same major field of study? Yes No Not sure

49. If you are earning your degree through an off-campus degree program, how likely is it that you would have obtained this degree on a UNC campus had the off-campus program not been available?
Very likely Probably Probably not Not likely

50. Please indicate the best description of your plans following graduation by filling in the one most appropriate bubble.
I do not know yet. I will take more undergraduate courses.
I have accepted a job. I am still seeking employment.
I plan to continue in my current position. I am not currently seeking employment and do not plan to attend school next year.
I will be going to a graduate or professional school full-time next year. I am entering the military service.
I will be going to a graduate or professional school part-time next year and working part time. Other (please specify.)

51a. What is the most important thing NC State could do to improve the quality of undergraduate experience here?

51b. What is the next most important thing NC State could do to improve the quality of undergraduate experience here?

52. Please use the space below to share any general comments you have about your experiences at NC State or to tell us why you were particularly satisfied/dissatisfied with any aspect of your education at NC State.


For more information on the 2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: April, 2009

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