Abstract This report describes the results of the Summer 2005, Fall 2005, and Spring 2006 administrations of the BGSU Graduating Senior Questionnaire (BGSQ). The BGSQ is designed to collect data on graduating seniors' academic and social experiences at BGSU, their perceptions of the institution, their educational and personal gains, and their satisfaction with the programs and services provided by the University. Additional information such as graduates' college expenses, years of enrollment at BGSU, and their further education plans is also collected. The results of this report may be used to evaluate and improve the quality of BGSU's undergraduate education as well as the social and academic environment of the institution. The need for information about graduating seniors' academic and social experiences at BGSU, their perceptions of the institution, educational and personal gains, satisfaction with programs and services, and their further education plans, prompted the development of the BGSU Graduating Senior Questionnaire (BGSQ) in Spring 2000. The literature on college student learning, development, and persistence clearly shows that these traits play a crucial role in student outcomes. Since no single commercially-available questionnaire would provide the data specifically needed by BGSU in a timely and cost effective manner, the BGSQ was developed by the Office of Institutional Research and reviewed by a wide audience. It has been used to collect graduating seniors' data ever since. All seniors who registered for Summer 2005, Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 graduation were asked to take the on-line BGSU Graduating Senior Questionnaire three weeks before graduation. One thousand three hundred and sixty students completed the survey, which resulted in a 45% response rate. This rate is lower than last year's response rate of 48% but higher than the one in 2003-04(37%) and in 2002-03(21%). Among the total 1360 respondents, 1256 of them provided their valid PID number, which allowed us to compare their demographic characteristics with all 2005-2006 graduating senior class. As shown in the table below there was a high degree of race and college similarity between the respondents and the population. The proportion of women respondents (65%), however, was higher than in the population (58%). In addition, fifty-seven percent of the participants reported that they graduated from BGSU in four or fewer years. This rate is much higher than the average Baccalaureate degree four-year graduation rate at BGSU, which was 32.7% for 2001-2005, 34.5% for 2000-2004, and 33.4% for 1999-2003. These limitations and the low response rate require that all results from this survey be interpreted with some caution.
BGSQ results were analyzed by noting the percentages of participants who provided various responses to each questionnaire item. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to rounding. The following sections highlight these results. In addition, group differences among 2005-2006 survey respondents were investigated (female vs. male, minority graduates vs. European-American graduates, and college vs. college) and significant differences are noted where they occurred. ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION During your enrollment at BGSU, about how many years did you ...
The majority of the 2005-2006 survey respondents indicated that they were living on campus or near campus during their enrollment at BGSU. Male students were more likely than female students to spend two or more years living in an apartment or house near campus. Minority students were more likely than European-American students to live on campus for three years or more. How many times have you changed your major?
Nearly half of the 2005-2006 survey respondents reported that they have changed their major at least once during their BGSU years. Minority graduates were more likely than European-American graduates to change their major. While College of Arts and Science graduates were most likely to change their major among the graduates in the six colleges, College of Musical Arts graduates were least likely to do so. While enrolled at BGSU, did you ever ... (Percent Responding "Yes")
Like the graduates in previous years, most of the 2005-2006 graduates worked at a job either on campus or off campus while they studied at BGSU. They were more likely to be involved in volunteer/service work, an internship or co-op, and a social club/fraternity/sorority than to participate in varsity/intercollegiate athletics and in a professional or student government organization. Minority graduates were more likely than European-American graduates to report that they have worked at a job on campus and participated in a social club, fraternity or sorority. Female graduates were more likely than male graduates to indicate that they have participated in volunteer/service work. Male graduates, on the other hand, were more likely than their counterparts to say that they have participated in varsity/intercollegiate athletics. Among the graduates in the six colleges, Technology graduates were most likely to participate in an internship or co-op. They, however, were least likely to be involved in volunteer or service work. On average, per year, how much of your educational expenses did you cover from each of the sources listed below? (Percent $1,500 and Over)
Family, other college loans, the Ford Direct Loan, savings from summer work, and other college grants/scholarships were the sources of financial support most often cited by BGSU graduates. Female respondents were less likely than their counterparts to claim that they got over $3000 support from their summer job. While minority graduates were less likely than European-American graduates to receive $3000 or more financial support from their family or from other college loan, they were more likely than their counterparts to get support from Perkins Loan, Pell Grant, Ohio instructional Grant, other college grants and scholarships, and on campus jobs. Among the respondents in the six colleges, Musical Arts respondents were most likely to earn money from on campus jobs to cover their college expenses. How much will you owe in student loans when you graduate?
Nearly seventy percent of the respondents owe some amount of student loans by the time they graduated from BGSU. The percentage of students who own $20,000 or more of student loans increased from 18% in 2002-2003 to 33% in 2005-2006. Minority graduates were more likely to owe students loans than were European-American graduates. How many years will you have been enrolled at BGSU by the time you graduate?
More than half of the survey respondents reported that they graduated from BGSU in four or fewer than four years. This rate is much higher than the average baccalaureate degree four-year graduation rate at BGSU, which is about 33% for the past three years. Male respondents and respondents in College of Technology were more likely than females and respondents in the other five colleges to report that it took them more than four years to graduate from BGSU. If it has taken you more than four years to graduate, please indicate whether the following were reasons for extending your enrollment. (Percent Responding "Major" Reason)
"I changed majors" remains the major reason that was most often cited by 2005-2006 graduates who took more than four years to graduate, followed by "I worked while enrolled" and "the classes that I needed were not offered when I needed to take them" (see the table above). Male respondents were more likely than female respondents to cite >"I was involved in coop/internships", "I dropped one or more classes because I was dissatisfied with the quality of instruction", "I was undecided about a major when I started", "I wanted to have some free time", and "I did not spend enough time study" as the reasons for them to take more than four years to graduate. European-American respondents were more likely than minority respondents to say that "I was involved in coop/internships" was the reason for them to take longer time to graduate. Minority respondents, on the other hands, were more likely than their counterpart to report that "I chose not to enroll for one or more semesters", "I had financial problems", "I had problems with the academic requirements for my major" and "I did not spend enough time study" were the causes for their extended undergraduate education. Among the respondents in the six colleges, Musical Arts respondents were least likely to cite "I changed majors" as the reason for their extended undergraduate education. They and the respondents in College of Health and Human Services were also less likely to say that "I was undecided about a major when I started college" was a reason for them to take longer time to graduate. Other factors that were more often reported by respondents in one college than the others as an reason to extend they college education were:
PERCEPTIONS OF THE INSTITUTION Looking back at your overall experience at BGSU, to what extent would you agree with the following? (Percent Responding "Agree" or "Strongly Agree")
The majority of the 2005-2006 survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed with all the items listed above. Females were more likely than males to report that most of their classes at BGSU seemed relevant and applicable to their future. While European-American graduates were more likely to agree that most faculty at BGSU are good teachers and most students have values similar to their own, minority graduates were more likely to say they have attended cultural events on campus, participated in study groups, been involved with student organizations, and talked about personal problems with a BGSU faculty or staff member. Musical Arts graduates tended to be most actively involved with campus cultural events among the graduates in the six colleges. They were also most likely to agree that they have developed a close personal relationship with at least one faculty or staff member at BGSU and have talked about their career plans and personal problems with them. They, however, were least likely to agree that their advisers have helped them explore and clarify their educational goals. Graduates from College of Technology were least likely to feel that it has been easy for them to get to know other students and that they have developed close personal relationships with other students at BGSU. Compared with graduates in the other colleges, graduates in College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Development, and College of Health and Human Services were more likely to say that most students at BGSU had values similar to their own; Graduates in College of Musical Arts, College of Education and Human Development, and College of Health and Human Services were more likely to agree that most of their classes at BGSU seemed relevant and applicable to their future; Graduates in College of Musical Arts and College of Education and Human Development, however, were less likely to agree that the information they received from their adviser was accurate. EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL GAINS For each of the following items, please indicate how much you feel you have gained as a result of your BGSU education? (Percent Responding "Very Much" or "Quite a Bit")
Sixty-two percent or more of the respondents reported that they made gains towards various educational and personal goals as a result of their BGSU education (see table above). Female respondents were more likely than male respondents to report that they gained quite a bit or very much in making connections between the classes they have taken. Compared with the respondents in other colleges,
The majority of BGSU graduates were satisfied or very satisfied with all of the aspects of their educational and social experiences listed in the questionnaire (see table above). Female graduates were more likely to be satisfied with campus dining services than were male graduates. While minority graduates were more likely to be satisfied with financial aid than were European-American graduates, they were less likely than their counterparts to be satisfied with "concern for me as an individual" as well as racial and ethnic diversity of BGSU. Among the graduates in the six colleges, Musical Arts graduates were most likely to be satisfied with concern for them as an individual and helpfulness in preparing for their employment and further education; Graduates in College of Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Business Administrations were less likely to be satisfied with service to commuters; Graduates in Arts and Sciences as well as Business Administration were also less likely to be satisfied with the campus dining services than were graduates in the four other colleges. Technology graduates seemed least likely to be happy with the overall quality of instruction. For each of the following items, please indicate how much emphasis you feel BGSU should place in each area?
Sixty percent or more of the 2005-2006 respondents felt that BGSU have given the right emphasis to all the areas listed on the table above. Improvements were seen in all the areas during the past four years. Minority graduates were more likely than their counterparts to say that BGSU needs to emphasize being open to new ideas, relating to others, and understanding cultural/racial/gender differences and how they relate to them, their field of study, and their future career. Compared with graduates in the other colleges,
Most of the survey respondents planed to earn a graduate degree after they graduated from BGSU. Females, minority graduates and graduates in College of Musical Arts and College of Education and Human Development were more likely to be interested in pursuing a Master's or doctoral degree in the future than did males, European-American graduates and graduates in the four other colleges. Graduates in the College of Technology were most likely to say that they were unsure of future education plans or have no plans for further college-level education. Four hundred and thirty-three students wrote comments and suggestions on the survey. The results are shown below.
The results of 2005-2006 BGSU Graduating Senior Questionnaire are similar to those of previous years' survey results. The majority of the 2005-06 graduating seniors lived on campus or near campus during their college years and most of them worked while they enrolled at BGSU. Besides studying and working, 67% of them participated in volunteer or service work, and over half of them participated in an internship or co-op and joined a social club, fraternity, or sorority. Around 60% of them planed to earn a graduate degree in their future. Family remains the greatest source of financial support for BGSU graduates, followed by other college loans, Ford Direct Loans, savings from summer work, and other college grants/scholarships. Nearly 70% of the 2005-06 graduating seniors had some amount of debt by the time they graduated from BGSU. Moreover, the percentage of graduates who reported having a debt of $20,000 or more increased steadily during the past four years, from 18% in 2002-2003 to 33% in 2005-2006. Forty-eight percent of the survey respondents reported that they have changed their major at least once at BGSU. "I changed my major" (32%), "I worked while enrolled" (24%), and "the classes that I needed were not offered when I needed to take them" (21%) were the most often given reasons for 2005-2006 graduates to take more than four years to get a Bachelor's Degree. The 2005-2006 responding graduates had good perceptions of BGSU. The vast majority of them agreed that most faculty at BGSU are good teachers, and most staff members and students here are friendly and helpful. Eighty percent or more of them indicated that they were able to get into the courses required for their degree program and that most of classes at BGSU seemed relevant and applicable to their future. Two out of three of them reported that the information they received from their advisers was accurate and that their advisers showed concerns for their academic needs. Sixty percent or more of them felt that BGSU has placed the right emphasis on all the items of students educational and personal development listed in the questionnaire, and they have made great progress in these areas as well. The majority of the 2005-2006 graduates were satisfied or very satisfied with their BGSU experiences. The areas that received the highest satisfaction ratings were library resources (97%), class size (95%), ease of access to instructors (95%), BGSU overall (95%), the overall quality of instruction (94%), computer resources (91%), feedback on assignments (90%), places to study (88%), and racial and ethnic diversity (87%). "I had an enjoyable and rewarding experience at BGSU" is the comment that was mentioned by the largest number of 2005-2006 responding graduates. Although improvement were seen in career and future education preparation during the past four years, it remains the area that recent graduates most likely feel that BGSU could emphasis more in the future. Other areas that some students expressed their concerns were academic/career advising, class subject/quality/usefulness, and faculty/staff/teaching assistants. The major limitations of this study were the low response rate (45%) for the questionnaire and the under-representation of males and respondents who graduated from BGSU in more than four years. These limitations require that the results from this survey be interpreted with some caution. The Office of Institutional Research welcomes feedback concerning this and other studies and how they can continue to be improved. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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