Freshman Impressions Research Project Fall 2002

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Theodora Henry
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1 Freshman Impressions Research Project Fall 2002 Freshman Impressions is a research project designed to assess the experiences and perspectives of firstyear students after they have completed four weeks of their first semester at USC. During the last two weeks of September 2002, a written questionnaire, a telephone survey, and student interviews were conducted by the Office of Research, Grants and Planning in the Division of Student and Alumni Services. The three components of the project were designed to provide information that increases our understanding of and ability to improve the first-year experience for students at the University of South Carolina. Freshman Impressions Questionnaire This survey was distributed in eight sections of University 101 and in the three hotels and several residence halls housing freshmen. Approximately 500 students completed the survey. Telephone Survey Staff called 50 freshmen during the third and fourth weeks of classes. Students were asked one item: Please tell us 3-5 things about your USC experience so far that have been positive, and tell us 3-5 things that have not been positive. The staff member conducting the call also extended an offer to answer any questions the student may have or to provide other assistance. Freshman Reflections: Staff set up tables in areas of campus where freshmen are likely to be found. They asked students to share some information about their transition to college that could be used in this research project. Students were asked to write a statement respond to one of seven questions. Division of Student and Alumni Services ~ University of South Carolina

2 Freshman Impressions Questionnaire ~ Fall 2002 The Freshman Impressions Questionnaire was administered in eight sections of University 101, all three hotels that are housing USC students, and several traditional on-campus Freshman Centers. Four-hundred and ninety (490) student surveys are included in the data base. Description of Students Responding Most of the students completing the survey were women (female = 55%, male = 45%). This is close to the actual proportions of female and male students. Approximately 54% of the freshman class is female. The ethnic breakouts and enrollment in University 101 closely mirror the actual student population as well. Most students completing the survey lived in traditional freshman centers. In order to capture information about students in nontraditional living environments, all students in the Adams Mark, Clarion, and Holiday Inn were asked to complete surveys. The in-state or out-of-state levels of representation are similar to the actual student population. Gender Frequency Percent Female % Male % Ethnic Background African-American % Asian % Caucasian % Hispanic 6 1.2% Native American 2.4% Other 8 1.6% Enrolled in UNIV 101 Enrolled % Not Enrolled % Current Residence Adams Mark % Clarion % Holiday Inn % On-campus Res. Hall % Off-campus Residence 7 1.4% In or Out of State In-state % Out-of-State % The survey was divided into 3 separate sections. The first section was completed by all students, regardless of a student s place of residence. The second section was completed by all students who lived either on campus or in one of the hotels. The last section was completed only by students living in the hotels. One purpose of this project was to provide a comparison of the experiences and perspectives of students based on their place of residence. At the end of each survey section, students were asked to respond in writing to a particular question. The written responses are available by topic upon request. 2

3 Items Completed by All Students I felt welcomed by USC during the first week. There is a sense of community spirit on campus. I have made new friends while at USC. Overall, I feel safe on the USC campus. I feel that I am part of the campus community. N=489 N=486 N=488 N=488 N=490 Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree 45.4% 52.4% 2.0%.2% 36.0% 60.5% 3.5% 0% 53.7% 44.5% 1.4%.4% 18.2% 70.1% 10.0% 1.6% 21.2% 69.4% 8.8%.6% Very Positive Positive Negative Very Negative How would you describe your interactions with classroom faculty? N=488 How would you describe your interactions with other USC staff & faculty? N= % 77.0% 3.3%.2% 16.0% 79.4% 4.3%.2% More than events 1-4 events None How many campus-wide events did you attend during the first 2 weeks of the semester? N= % 28.4% 63.9% 4.3% Have you joined a student organization? N=490 Yes No ~ ~ 60.6% 39.4% ~ ~ Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Level of Satisfaction with: Your decision to come to USC N=490 Your class schedule N=490 Campus-wide activities & events N=490 Bookstore in Russell House N= % 44.9% 1.8%.4% 29.4% 62.0% 8.2%.4% 24.4% 71.3% 4.3% 0% 15.7% 58.1% 20.0% 6.0% Students were asked to consider the following topics and select 2 on which to comment: Dining Services Classes Bookstore in Russell House Transition to College Welcome Week Activities Student Activities Other USC Students Interactions with faculty & staff The most popular topics selected for comment by first-year students were: Dining Services (63%), classes (41%), and the bookstore (32%). Comments on each topic are available on request. Pct of Pct of Students Commented On: Responses Cases Classes Transition to College Bookstore Welcome Week Activities Dining Services Other USC Student Student Activities Interactions /Faculty & Staff responses Note: Percentages above represent the percent of students who chose the topic as on of their two topics. 3

4 Questions for Students living on-campus & in Hotels Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree I feel that I belong to a community in my residence hall or hotel. N=482 I feel safe in and around my residence hall or hotel. N=481 How helpful has your RA been in your transition to college? N=481 How conducive is your residential environment to studying? N=477 How often have you studied in your room? N=480 Level of Satisfaction with: Room accommodations N=481 Computer access in your room N=477 Residence Life staff in your residence hall or hotel N=480 Campus Dining Services N=481 Shuttle Service N=427 Interactions with your RA N=478 Degree to which you have made friends on campus N=482 Your classroom experiences N= % 57.1% 9.1% 1.0% 42.6% 51.8% 5.2%.4% Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful Helpful 55.9% 31.0% 11.4% 1.7% Very Conducive Conducive Somewhat Not Conducive Conducive 17.8% 55.3% 24.7% 2.1% More than 20 hours per week hours per week Less than 10 hours per week None 7.3% 46.7% 43.8% 2.3% Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 28.9% 62.4% 7.5% 1.2% 44.7% 42.1% 10.1% 3.1% 34.2% 60.8% 5.0% 0% 27.0% 62.0% 9.6% 1.5% 11.0% 66.5% 19.7% 2.8% 51.5% 43.1% 4.6%.8% 43.6% 51.5% 4.4%.6% 27.2% 70.5% 2.3% 0% Questions for Hotel Residents Only Level of Satisfaction with: Hotel s front desk staff N=130 Hotel s custodian staff N=130 Interaction with Housing s staff concerning your assignment N=128 Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

5 Selected Comparisons by Gender, Ethnic Background, University 101 Enrollment, Campus Residence & In/Out of State Welcomed by USC * Gender Crosstabulation S trongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly D isagree % within G ender % within G ender % within G ender % within G ender % within G ender Gender Female Male % 43.4% 45.4% % 55.2% 52.4% %.9% 2.0% 1 1.5%.2% % % % S trongly agree Agree Disagree % within E thnicity % within E thnicity % within E thnicity % within E thnicity Sense of Community Spirit * Ethnicity Crosstabulation E thnicity African-Amer. Asian Caucasian Hispanic Native Amer. Other % 16.7% 37.9% 50.0% 50.0% 37.5% 36.0% % 58.3% 59.5% 33.3% 62.5% 60.5% % 25.0% 2.7% 16.7% 50.0% 3.5% % % % % % % % Made New Friends * Enrolled in U101 Crosstabulation S trongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly D isagree % within E nrolled in U 1 01 % within E nrolled in U 1 01 % within E nrolled in U 1 01 % within E nrolled in U 1 01 % within E nrolled in U 1 01 E nrolled in U 1 01 Yes No % 45.2% 53.7% % 52.4% 44.5% % 2.4% 1.4% 2 2.5%.4% % % % 5

6 Joined Student Organization * Residence Crosstabulation Yes No % within R esidence % within R esidence % within R esidence Residence On-campus Adams Mark Clarion Holiday Inn Hall O ff-ca m p u s % 45.2% 41.3% 67.4% 14.3% 60.6% % 54.8% 58.7% 32.6% 85.7% 39.4% % % % % % % Decision to Come to USC * In/out of State Crosstabulation V ery satisfied Satisfied D issatisfied V ery D issatisfied % with in In/ou t of S tate % with in In/ou t of S tate % with in In/ou t of S tate % with in In/ou t of S tate % with in In/ou t of S tate In/ou t of S tate In-state O u t-of-state % 34.5% 52.9% % 60.9% 44.9% % 3.6% 1.8% %.9%.4% % % % 6

7 Three-Positives & Three-Negatives Telephone Survey Results 2002 Freshman Impressions Project The Three-Positives & Three-Negatives Telephone Survey was conducted after students had been in classes for 3 weeks. Staff members called 50 freshmen and posed a request: Please tell us 3-5 things about your USC experience so far that have been positive, and tell us 3-5 things that have not been positive. Using a constant comparative method, 9 categories of positive aspects and 9 categories of negative aspects were established from the students telephone comments. First-year students mentioned a total of 166 positive attributes of USC, and 89 negative attributes. The following provides information on the 18 categories and the frequency with which they occurred in the telephone interviews. Positive Aspects Identified Classes M eeting O ther P eople C am pus A ctivities Professors Living O n-campus Campus (Physical) D ining S ervices P arking/s h u ttle S erv Freedom C lasses M eeting O ther P eople C a m p u s A ctivitie s Professors Housing Campus (Physical) Dining Services Parking/Shuttle Service F reedom Positive Aspests Cum. Frequency Percent Percent % of F irst-y ear S tud ents C ommenting N e ga tive A s p e cts I d e ntifie d Negative Aspects Parking/Shuttle Serv Dining Services H ou sing (facility) Classes Distance to Classes Res Hall Restriction Professors H ard to meet People Internet S ervice Parking/Shuttle Service D ining Services H ousing (F acility-related ) C lasses D istance to C lasses Res. Hall Restrictions P rofessors H ard to m eet P eople Internet S ervice Cumulative Frequency Percent Percent % of F irst-y ea r S tu d en ts C om m en tin g For more detailed information concerning the students statements used to create these categories are available from: Office of Research, Grants & Planning, Division of Student & Alumni Services, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC or melm@gwm.sc.edu. 7

8 Freshman Reflections ~ Fall 2002 Students were asked to write their response to one of seven questions. The following is a sample of their responses. Please describe one of your most memorable experiences during your first few weeks at USC. Cheering in front of 84,000 people at the football games. ~ History Major from Honea Path, SC Probably the football games and dorm life in general. I really like being independent and meeting other people. ~ Music Education Major from Aiken, SC Meeting all of the new people. The parking around the campus. ~ Undecided Major from Dillon, SC Cheering at the football games the stadium is huge and there are so many people. ~ Business Major form Boiling Springs, SC Please describe how your transition to college is going so far? What have been the challenges? What has been helpful? I ve had a very smooth transition this far, with few of the stereotypical college crises, roommate trouble, drinking, etc. One big challenge has been focusing on my homework and actually doing it. Once I get out of my room and into a study area I have a much easier time. Living in Maxcy has been beneficial in that most of my classmates are only a few rooms away, which makes group work and studying easier. ~ Undecided Major from Sumter, SC The challenges of dealing with a roommate, and discovering how long it takes before you begin to disagree. Also doing laundry. However the transition is going well. Because of the activities for freshmen, I have made a lot of new friends, and that helps with studying. ~ Chemical Engineering Major from Chapin, SC So far I have adjusted really well. I have not run into many challenges yet other than getting used to walking 20 mins to each class. My boyfriend and sister both went here so they helped me find my way around and gave good advice. I already knew lots of people that went here from home and thy have been a big help. I love being here and I do not want to go back home. There is so much to do here and most is within walking range. ~ History Major from Darlington, SC My transition has been fine. I ve had a few problems getting used to differences between high school and college. Friends have been helpful in showing me that I am not alone. ~ Political Science Major from Columbia, SC 8

9 My challenge has been waking up everyday for 8 o clock classes. Studying has been very helpful for me. ~ Nursing Major from St. Stephen, SC Please describe how you feel about the courses you are taking and your professors? Actually, I really, really like them. Teachers are interesting and funny, homework load adequate, exams fair, etc. ~ Mechanical Engineering Major from Spotsylvania, VA So far my courses have been challenging and fun at the same time. Some courses have been difficult, yet the professors seem to care and help. I have really enjoyed everything so far. ~ Business Management Major from Bonneau, SC Challenging, somewhat tough but I can manage and work with it. My professors are pretty lenient and understanding. They cut slack sometimes. They also teach in an understandable way. Business/Marketing Major from Boston, MA The courses I am taking now vary from easy to hard. I just study a lot more. ~ Exercise Science Major from Spartanburg, SC Courses are hard. Professors give you work and you are expected to understand, even if you don t. ~ Advertising Major from Spartanburg, SC Please describe how you view the campus community. Do you feel like you are part of the campus community? Why of why not? Living on campus has been lots of fun so far. Being around students my age with similar goals has been real helpful to me. Yes, I do feel like I m part of the community and I enjoy being here. ~ Business Major from Columbia, SC I am glad that I decided to live on campus because I have made many friends. I have joined a sorority and I have made a lot of memories and friends already. There is always something to do. ~ Marine Science Major from Taylors, SC Yes I do, I m invited by invitation and approached frequently to attend events. I m informed through radio and television announcements. I also feel like most people are nice enough to be approachable and helpful. I feel like a real part of the community. ~ Chemical Engineering Major from Florence, SC I like living on campus. I like being able to get to know the others on my hall and around Bates House. I feel like I am part of the campus community. ~ Business Management Major from Florence, SC The campus is real involved with the students. I feel like I am part of the campus community. I am involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and I go to the football games. 9

10 ~ Civil Engineering Major from Sumter, SC Please describe how you spend your out-of-class time? I normally study for quizzes and exams or go to the gym and watch television. ~ Forensic Science Major from Miami, Florida I am involved in pledging a fraternity, so that involves most of my out of class time. Studying takes up some time and usually takes precedence over others. But the most unexpected way I spend my time is on things like laundry, mail and other housekeeping items that I didn t expect. ~ Marketing Major from Rochester Hill, Michigan Go to the sorority house, Go out with friends, Workout. ~ Business Major from Hilton Head Island, SC I spend most of my time just hanging out over in one of my friends dorms. I work out Mon-Fri on Blatt. I am also really involved with Young Life here on campus. I guess I study a little, but probably not enough. ~ Chemistry Major from Columbia, SC Hanging out with friends, partying, singing in Carolina Alive, studying, going to football games, SAGE and Interfaith Council. ~ Biology Major from Greenville, SC Please describe your interactions with other USC students on campus. Are these interactions what you expected them to be or are they different? Everyone that I have met has been nice which is what I expected. ~ Nursing Major from Columbia, SC Other USC students, for the most part, are really nice. When I first arrived here, I met new people who talked to me and they seemed pretty cool. My interactions with them are not what I expected because I thought they would be wild college people. Also, I expected them to be rude, but for the most part, I was wrong. ~ Biology Major from Graniteville, SC My interactions with other students have been mostly positive. I ve met a lot of new friends, and my transition to college has been very smooth. My experience at USC has met all my expectations, and I hope that my future experiences at USC will continue to be positive. ~ Business/Economics/History Major from Moncks Corner, SC I ve grown very close to the people on my hall. I didn t expect to develop such good relationships so quickly and easily. I also interact well with other students in my classes because I live with most of them and see them every day. ~ Print Journalism Major from Columbia, SC 10

11 USC students are friendly and there are general ways to make friends, especially by clubs and recreational sports. ~ Civil Engineering Major from Myrtle Beach, SC Overall, how do you feel about your decision to come to USC? Please explain why. I m glad I chose USC, but I m struggling in some of my classes. I love the campus life though. ~ Computer Engineering Major from Easley, SC I m really glad that I came to USC. My experience so far has been very positive. If I had to choose again, there s no way I would pick any other school. ~ Marketing Major from North Augusta, SC I really like USC. There is a lot to do and everyone is friendly. The college is around a capital city with plenty to do. The sports teams are also awesome. Yes, I would make the same decision about coming to USC because I really enjoy it because of it s accessibility to Columbia area attractions. ~ Political Science Major from Pelion, SC I would definitely make the same decision. The residence halls could be better, the rooms are big enough though. Univ 101 has definitely helped me get through my first few months of school. Could be more stuff to do between move-in and beginning of classes. Could have more of a selection of food in the cafeteria. ~ Business Management Major from Philadelphia, PA I would make the same decision to come here. I love the small classes but I love the big college feel of campus. I like being surrounded by people who take their studies as seriously as I do. It is great being in a dorm with people who are in a lot of the same classes as me. We have formed study groups and such that have been great. So far, it has been just what I wanted in a college experience. ~ History Major from Aiken SC 11

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