Assessment of Living Learning (ALL Survey)
Dec 2006
Peabody Hall
Response Rate
Used QuestionPro but had problems sending out because of MU spam protection. Sent out using OXF### listservs which made tracking participants more difficult.
It was distributed to an estimated 6800 residents. 2574 viewed it. 2184 started it. 1813 (26%) completed it. Almost the same demographics responded as last year with the exception of class rank. This year 63% of the respondents were first-year students.
All Campus / 6800 / 1813 / 26.6%Peabody Hall / 139 / 35 / 25.2%
Academic Adviser
In previous years we only asked the first-year students about academic advising. This year we asked all participants and made the questions applicable to all advisers on campus.
Percentage who answered “strongly agree” or “agree” / all / FY / UC / PDYMy academic adviser was available to schedule to meet with me about academic matters. / 71.9% / 86% / 45.6% / 65.6%
My academic adviser asked me questions about my academic goals and major. / 67.2% / 83.9% / 37.2% / 50%
My academic adviser helped me understand resources for academic decision making (DARS, Bulletin, Miami Plan, other administrative offices or advisers on campus, etc.) / 65.2% / 80.7% / 37.4% / 56.3%
My academic adviser effectively answered my questions about academic matters. / 62.6% / 73.5% / 42.7% / 59.4%
My academic adviser took a personal interest in my academic success. / 58.6% / 70.5% / 37.0% / 58.1%
Implication: Use this data when developing public relations piece for faculty and staff at MU. “When surveyed, most students indicate that their academic advisers in the residence halls are available, were knowledgeable about academic matters at Miami…
RA/CLA
My Current RA/CLA:
Agree or Strongly Agree / all / FY / UC / PDY...available to me and has a presence on my corridor. / 78.2% / 80.8% / 73.7% / 82.4%
...a good resource and can respond to my questions about Miami. / 74.7% / 80.2% / 65.0% / 76.5%
...a good listener and helps when I have a problem. / 66.2% / 70.6% / 58.1% / 81.8%
...a strong community builder on my corridor and in my residence hall. / 65.2% / 68.7% / 59.1% / 70.6%
...a positive role model. / 76.8% / 79.7% / 71.7% / 76.5%
...a good programmer and creates educational opportunities in the residence hall. / 68.1% / 70.3% / 64.3% / 76.5%
All of the values in the all column were significantly higher than the previous year (between 11% and 15% higher). Whereas I’d like to conclude that our staff are doing that much better work, it is not known how much of the difference can be attributed to the change in timeline of the survey implementation.
Implication: During training, ask RAs to predict numbers – then post. Challenge how they think they are perceived. Ask them to reflect on what each of the descriptors means and how residents might be measuring each item.
FYA/AFYA/RD
My First Year Adviser/Assistant First Year Adviser (first year halls) or Resident Director (upper class halls) is:
Strongly agree or agree / all / FY / UC / PDY...available to me and has a presence in my residence hall. / 70.3% / 74.1% / 63.5% / 71.9%
...a good resource and can respond to my questions about Miami. / 70.1% / 75.1% / 61.1% / 68.8%
...a good listener and helps when I have a problem. / 60.0% / 64.3% / 52.2% / 56.3%
...a strong community builder in my residence hall. / 59.4% / 61.6% / 55.4% / 53.1%
...a positive role model. / 67.6% / 71.6% / 60.2% / 65.6%
...a good programmer and creates educational opportunities in the residence hall. / 65.1% / 67.3% / 61.3% / 59.4%
All of the values in the all column were significantly higher than the previous year (between 11% and 16% higher). Whereas I’d like to conclude that our staff are doing that much better work, it is not known how much of the difference can be attributed to the change in timeline of the survey implementation.
Frequency of meaningful discussions with other students about…
Meaningful discussions about race / all respondents 05-06 / all respondents Dec 06 / PDYnot at all / 33% / 34.2% / 11.4%
very little / 24% / 25.1% / 17.1%
Some / 30% / 27.8% / 14.3%
quite a lot / 10% / 8.6% / 28.6%
a great deal / 4% / 3.9% / 28.6%
The decrease could be attributed to the change in timeline for the implementation of the ALL Survey. (Do some of these conversations occur in the spring?)
Men were no more or less likely to talk about race than women.
Those who reported their RA to have a greater presence and were good programmers reported more frequent conversations about race.
Meaningful discussions about gender / all respondents 05-06 / all respondents Dec 06 / PDYnot at all / 33% / 31.0% / 8.6%
very little / 23% / 24.6% / 14.3%
Some / 29% / 27.9% / 8.6%
quite a lot / 11% / 11.3% / 22.9%
a great deal / 5% / 5.3% / 45.7%
Women were only slightly more likely to have meaningful conversations about gender then men.
Again, those who reported their RA to have a greater presence and were good programmers reported more frequent conversations about gender.
Meaningful discussions about sexual orientation / all respondents 05-06 / all respondents Dec 06 / PDYnot at all / 33% / 32.5% / 5.7%
very little / 23% / 25.1% / 20%
Some / 29% / 27.3% / 20%
quite a lot / 11% / 9.5% / 17.1%
a great deal / 5% / 5.6% / 37.1%
Meaningful discussions about politics / All respondents / all respondents Dec 06 / PDY
not at all / 25% / 23.4% / 0%
very little / 20% / 21.3% / 14.3%
Some / 30% / 31.9% / 20%
quite a lot / 16% / 15.1% / 22.9%
a great deal / 8% / 8.3% / 42.9%
Meaningful discussions about class material / all respondents / all respondents Dec 06 / PDY
not at all / 14% / 9.1% / 2.9%
very little / 8% / 6.4% / 0%
Some / 21% / 25.0% / 14.3%
quite a lot / 32% / 34.5% / 22.9%
a great deal / 24% / 25.0% / 60%
Meaningful discussions about career issues / all respondents / all respondents Dec 06 / PDY
not at all / 19% / 15.1% / 0%
very little / 12% / 13.1% / 5.7%
Some / 27% / 31.5% / 14.3%
quite a lot / 28% / 27.5% / 28.7%
a great deal / 13% / 12.7% / 51.4%
Meaningful discussions about religion or spirituality / all respondents / all respondents Dec 06 / PDY
not at all / 25% / 20.0% / 2.9%
very little / 20% / 23.0% / 14.3%
Some / 29% / 31.9% / 20%
quite a lot / 17% / 16.6% / 20%
a great deal / 9% / 8.7% / 42.9%
Survey note: Continue to ask these questions next time so that we can look for longer term trends.
Implication: Let the staff know that this is one way we are evaluating the living learning communities.
Implication: Conversations about meaningful topics occur in the residence halls at a lower frequency than we wish. Train staff on how to engage students in conversations, both formal through programming and informal or reactive, about these issues.
Programming
I am satisfied with the quantity and quality of the following types of programs and events in my residence hall:
Strongly agree or agree / All / FY / UC / PDYRecreational / 49.4% / 52.3% / 44.4% / 55.9%
Social / 62.7% / 65.1% / 58.6% / 82.4%
Educational / 47.4% / 49.4% / 43.9% / 76.5%
Diversity related / 33.1% / 33.7 / 32.1 / 55.9%
In which residence hall do you currently live? / Sex: 1=female 2=male / One way I would improve academic advising at Miami would be… / The most significant learning experience I had in the residence halls this year was (discussion, program, situation, class, event, etc.): / What suggestions do you have for improving the residence halls at Miami?
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1 / Required meetings for freshmen... I was far too nervous to initiate contact with anyone and didn't see how they could help / Combining class discussions (we all take the same classes) outside of class and discussion of teaching styles / Papers delivered to dorms! There's a rack at the Alex but it's a hit-and-miss thing depending if they're there or not.
Peabody / 1 / The Western College academic advising is pointless. One way to improve is to get rid of Mrs. Kim Ernsting. / Having a great roommate and realizing that just about everyone else is ignorant and cliquish.
Peabody / 1
Peabody / 1 / our Indian movie night, with Indian snacks and henna. We got to talk with some residents who are from India, as well. I learned so much about the country and had an awesome time with my hallmates.
Peabody / 1
Peabody / 2 / learn how to live with others...complete strangers and to get along with the diversity of values
Peabody / 2 / Make the advisors care a little bit. There is no incentive for them to give a damn about us. / choose a major right away and never change it / ice machine
Peabody / 1 / Hall activity in conjunction with the Indian movies showing at Bachelor
Peabody / 2 / . / n/a / /
Peabody / 1 / I am a theatre major/western minor. advising for both departments has been often available to me at MY convenience with people who already know my academic intentions, my strengths and weaknesses and my goals. I couldnt ask for better from either.
Peabody / 1 / Make the Western College model available for every student. / discussion and support / there are a lot of issues and I think it is best to keep it as i
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1
Peabody / 2 / nearly all of my learning experiences have occured in my residence hall and have all been equally significant. / to focus more on truly building community and providing meaningful experiences.
Peabody / 1 / make sure everyone has one and knows who they are and what they're supposed to do and help with. I don't know who my adviser is or what to ask them if I worked to find out who it was. / adequate facilities for each room-my room is a triple but we only have 2 closets. otherwise peabody is very nice.
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1 / Discussions / More diversity
Peabody / 1 / Umm...actually meet with them every so often to discuss what has been going on. / Respecting Issues (ie. quietness, discussing in an appropriate manner, and such) / Maybe have a day of helping the residence hall cleaning staff...right before winter break or another break!
Peabody / 1 / No suggestions - except my advisor retired and I am somewhat in a limbo right now because I have yet to be assigned a new one, so perhaps it would be good to make sure people are quickly reassigned advisors if professors or advisors retire, quit, move, et
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1 / clearer guidelines as to what classes are required, and clearer instructions as to what to do with ap credit
Peabody / 1 / Meet more with student to check up. Also, be more available and care. / The first football game
Peabody / 2 / I was not given any opportunity, nor am I sure who my academic advisor is. I scheduled my own courses. I am a second-year transfer / n/a / elimination of western college prgram will help a great deal.
Peabody / 1 / accepting and being open-minded towards others
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1 / if I ever saw mine would be nice, if I even knew who it was!
Peabody / 2
Peabody / 1 / an indian movie and food/henna night, with a couple indian students talking about indian culture.
Peabody / 1 / making it a requirment that my academic advisor meet with me / The issurs I encountered with my rooomate.
Peabody / 1
Peabody / 1 / Make mandatory meetings with the advisors. This way the students will be able to meet and talk to the advisors about any questions they have, especially first years who are not sure about anything going into the second semester. / The self defense lecture thing.