New to UBC (NUBC) Student Survey, 2009 Results for UBC-Okanagan.

New to UBC (NUBC) New to UBC (NUBC) Student Survey, 2009Student Survey, 2009

Results for UBC-OkanaganResults for UBC-Okanagan

NUBC OverviewNUBC Overview UBC participates in several surveys: NSSE, CUSC, Health,

Graduate Outcomes, etc. The NUBC survey is our first attempt to measure the impact of the

first year experience for both direct entrants and transfer students The survey asks students about their past experiences and

expectations for their first year at UBC In February, we’ll survey the students again to measure the impact

of their first year experience – is it what they expected? Better than what they expected? Worse than what they expected?

Survey items also help measure indicators related to students in UBC’s strategic plan (e.g., high impact activities, global citizenship, student awareness of diversity, etc.)

and, we also have some questions relating to process (admissions, etc)

Survey DevelopmentSurvey Development

Survey questions include:

Specific questions developed for UBC’s learning environment and strategic plan – contributions to survey from both Vancouver and Okanagan

Most questions are of common interest to both campuses. Questions from other survey instruments to help provide some

benchmarks (UCUES – University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey which has been administered since 2003; CIRP Freshman Surveys administered by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA to freshman students across the U.S. since 1965 and CARES Survey administered at Florida Atlantic University

Survey DevelopmentSurvey Development

The survey was also developed to provide students with a mechanism to seek additional information or advice by way of pop-up questions

For example, students were asked if they planned to work for pay during the upcoming year. If they said ‘no’, they moved on to the next question. If they said ‘yes’, another question was displayed asking if they would like to be contacted with information about on-campus work opportunities.

Follow up emails and/or contact was then initiated with students where appropriate

Response RatesResponse Rates Survey administered in August 2009 and closed September 15, 2009

(two reminders plus the original invite)

Administered to both UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Campuses, New Students only, Direct entrants and Transfer students to Undergraduate Degree Programs

Direct Entrants

Invited Responded Response Rate

UBCV 5435 3493 64.3%

UBCO 1352 861 63.7%

Total 6787 4354 64.2%

Transfer

Invited Responded Response Rate

UBCV 2190 1357 62.0%

UBCO 518 322 62.2%

Total 2708 1679 62.0%

How do response rates compare?How do response rates compare?

How does a response rate of 64% compare to other response rates?

In 2006, UBCO achieved a 47% response rate on the BSSE survey

However, once students start their studies, they are overwhelmed with email communications and requests for survey participation leading to survey fatigue

In 2008, the first year response rate for UBCO NSSE was 31%

We need to do a better job of coordinating survey requests and managing email communications with students

Interpreting the DataInterpreting the Data Responses are reported in the form of means and frequencies.

Important differences are identified by: a) statistical significance (is the change unlikely to be simple chance

variation?) and b) effect sizes

Effect size indicates the “practical significance” of the mean difference. In practice, an effect size of .2 is often considered small, .5 moderate, and .8 large.

Summary of Findings:Summary of Findings:UBCO Direct EntrantsUBCO Direct Entrants

Summary of Findings

Connections to the strategic plan

UBC compared to U.S. Peers

UBCO compared to UBCV

Student Priorities on improving the experience for incoming students

Next Steps

UBCO Direct Entrants:UBCO Direct Entrants:Distribution by facultyDistribution by faculty

Distribution of respondents by faculty is similar to distribution of registrants by faculty

Direct Entrants Distribution of respondents by faculty:

Faculty Frequency Percent % of cohort

APSO 85 9.9% 8.3%

ARSC 578 67.1% 67.9%

FCCS 24 2.8% 2.5%

HSD 53 6.2% 7.3%

MGMT 71 8.2% 8.8%

NRSG 50 5.8% 4.8%

Total 861 100.0%

UBCO Direct Entrants:UBCO Direct Entrants:DemographicsDemographics

GENDER Domestic International Total %

Women 486 36 522 60.6%

Men 295 44 339 39.4%

Total 781 80 861 100.0%

% 90.7% 9.3% 100.0%

Ethnoracial groups (students could select more than one category)

N %

Aboriginal 22 2.6%

White 647 76.4%

Chinese 75 8.9%

South Asian (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc.) 42 5.0%

Black 15 1.8%

Filipino 17 2.0%

Latin American 12 1.4%

Southeast Asian (e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Laotian, etc.) 5 0.6%

Arab 8 0.9%

West Asian (e.g., Iranian, Afghan, etc.) 5 0.6%

Korean 16 1.9%

Japanese 12 1.4%

Other 43 5.1%

Compare with 4.3% for the region (Stats Can)

UBCO Direct Entrants: more demographicsUBCO Direct Entrants: more demographics

80.2% learned English as their first language (compare with 83% for the region).

50.5% can speak two or more languages well enough to conduct a conversation

21.6% have lived in another country besides Canada for at least one year

50.2% have fathers who have completed a post-secondary degree and 48.3% have mothers who have completed a post-secondary degree (compare with 13% of the 35-64 years olds in the region).

UBCO Direct Entrants: living and commutingUBCO Direct Entrants: living and commuting

63.1% of the respondents planned to live on campus and of those living off-campus, only 33% plan to use public transport

Of those who said they would be living on campus, 96% actually are in student residences.

How do you plan to commute to UBC? (Select the mode of transport you will use most often)

Vehicle (alone) 118 37.5%

Vehicle (with others/carpool) 77 24.4%

Walk 7 2.2%

Bicycle 7 2.2%

Public transport 104 33.0%

Other 2 0.6%

UBCO Direct Entrants: finances and workUBCO Direct Entrants: finances and work

Do you need a loan to finance your first year at UBC?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Domestic Intl

No

Yes

Of those who need a loan, 66% will rely on government student loans


Do you have any concern about your ability to finance your entire university education?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Domestic Intl

Major (not sure I will have enoughfunds to complete university)

Some (but I probably will have enoughfunds)

None (I am confident that I will havesufficient funds)


During this coming year, do you plan to work (for pay)?

Count %

No, I don't plan to have a job 325 37.8%

I plan to work less than 10 hours per week 247 28.7%

I plan to work between 11 and 20 hours per week 254 29.5%

I plan to work more than 20 hours per week 34 4.0%

Expectations about learningExpectations about learning

On a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is ‘strongly agree’, respondents seem to be very positive about the learning environment

GENDER

F M

My courses will be interesting Valid N

Mean

Standard Deviation

I see the value in each of the courses I will be taking this semester Valid N

Mean

Standard Deviation

I am confident that I have the ability to succeed in all of my courses Valid N

Mean

Standard Deviation

518

4.29

0.9

518

4.26

0.95

521

4.26

0.89

333

4.29

0.84

335

4.19

0.94

336

4.35

0.85

Note: results between male/female are not statistically significant


….and respondents are also confident of their ability to achieve good grades.

Grade expectation for first year direct entrants

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

80-100 (A-,A, A+)

68-79 (B-,B, B+)

55-67 (C-,C, C+)

50-54 (D) 0-49 (F)

ubco


We know however that students are going to be very disappointed with their actual performance

Actual grades in 2008 for first year only, registered in a minimum of 24 credits, undergraduate degree programs

Grade expectation and actuals for first year direct entrants -- UBCO

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

80-100 (A-,A, A+)

68-79 (B-,B, B+)

55-67 (C-,C, C+)

50-54 (D) 0-49 (F)

expected in 2009

actual in 2008

Tutoring received and will needTutoring received and will need

Tutoring

Have had: Will need:

English 75 8.7% 119 13.8%

Reading 43 5.0% 47 5.5%

Mathematics 212 24.6% 225 26.1%

Science 72 8.4% 130 15.1%

Second/Additional Language 52 6.0% 87 10.1%

Writing 58 6.7% 171 19.9%

Other 7 0.8% 21 2.4%

Areas of concernAreas of concern

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned Not concerned

Count

Row N % Count

Row N % Count

Row N %

Financing my education at UBCO 166 19.3% 414 48.2% 279 32.5%

Being accepted for who I am 78 9.1% 247 28.8% 533 62.1%

Getting into my first choice of major 128 14.9% 350 40.8% 380 44.3%

My ability to do the coursework 169 19.7% 488 56.7% 203 23.6%

Getting the academic advising I need 122 14.2% 444 51.7% 293 34.1%

Getting the career and professional advising I need 150 17.5% 435 50.6% 274 31.9%

Getting the personal counseling I might need 43 5.0% 238 27.7% 579 67.3%

Getting along with my roommate (s), housemate (s), or family members

85 9.9% 314 36.5% 461 53.6%

Being able to make the kind of friends I want 142 16.5% 376 43.7% 343 39.8%

Being away from family and friends; being 'homesick' 114 13.3% 282 32.9% 462 53.8%

Being able to maintain good health 117 13.6% 334 38.8% 410 47.6%

Being able to cope with expectations of parents and family 141 16.4% 323 37.5% 397 46.1%

My personal safety in and around campus 48 5.6% 155 18.0% 657 76.4%

If UBCO is the right choice for me 79 9.2% 258 30.0% 523 60.8%

Ability to balance academic and non academic timeAbility to balance academic and non academic time

How confident are you in your ability to balance your academic time (in class, study time, etc.) and non-academic time (work, exercise, socializing, care for dependents, etc.)

Of those who responded ‘not confident’, 17 or 81% asked for additional information to be sent to them to help them achieve balance

Frequency Percent

Valid Not confident 21 2.4

Somewhat confident 534 62.0

Very confident 305 35.4

Total 860 99.9

Missing System 1

Total 861

Proficiencies as they relate to the strategic planProficiencies as they relate to the strategic plan

If students rate their proficiencies in the following areas as very good to excellent, how would UBC enhance / utilize these skills?

On a scale of 1 to 6 where 6=excellent

N MeanStd.

Deviation

Ability to appreciate, tolerate and understand racial and ethnic diversity

856 5.38 .808

Ability to appreciate the fine arts (e.g., painting, music, drama, dance)

853 4.90 1.183

Ability to appreciate cultural and global diversity 859 5.29 .837

Ability to take personal social responsibility 856 5.13 .813

High Impact ActivitiesHigh Impact Activities

Participate in: Did do

Intend to do

student leadership activities 449 52.1% 336 39.0%

research activities 354 41.1% 357 41.5%

co-op education 103 12.0% 370 43.0%

internship or practicum 59 6.9% 400 46.5%

volunteer work 656 76.2% 452 52.5%

community service as part of a class 432 50.2% 287 33.3%

political activities 109 12.7% 200 23.2%

tutoring or teaching other students (paid or voluntary) 351 40.8% 251 29.2%

High Impact ActivitiesHigh Impact Activities

Travel to an international location: Did doIntend to do

as part of school organized sport 218 25.3% 218 25.3%

for leisure 550 63.9% 512 59.5%

to participate in community/voluntary service 161 18.7% 370 43.0%

for work 55 6.4% 350 40.7%

for education 237 27.5% 460 53.4%

Mental HealthMental Health

40% of respondents selected extremely anxious and/or depressed

Indicate if you have felt any of the following this past year: N %

Overwhelmed by all I had to do 574 66.7%

Depressed 169 19.6%

Very lonely 124 14.4%

Extremely anxious 260 30.2%

Very angry 71 8.2%

How concerned are you that these feelings will persist during your first year at UBC? N %

Very concerned 65 9.3%

Somewhat concerned 407 58.3%

Not very concerned 226 32.4%

Would you like to receive an e-mail about the services on campus that could help you? N %

Yes 237 51.0%

No 228 49.0%

1 in 4 students actually asked for help

Comparisons between UBCV and UBCOComparisons between UBCV and UBCO

Financing first year and concerns about ability to finance entire education similar

80% of UBCO respondents learned English as their first language compared to 46.2 at UBCV

76.4% self-identified as ‘white’ ( 37.8% at UBCV)

50% have fathers who have completed a post-sec degree (66.2% at UBCV)

21.6% have lived in another country for at least one year (48.4% at UBCV)

63% plan to live on campus (50% at UBCV)

Of those not living on campus, only 33% plan to use public transport (84% at UBCV)

Similar on expectations for courses and self assessment with respect to diversity and social responsibility


Grade expectation for first year direct entrants

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80-100 (A-,A, A+)

68-79 (B-,B, B+)

55-67 (C-,C, C+)

50-54 (D) 0-49 (F)

ubco

ubcv


Top three areas where UBCO students are ‘very concerned’:

My ability to do the coursework 169 19.7%

Financing my education at UBCO 166 19.3%

Getting the career and professional advising I need

150 17.5%

UBCV student concerns are similar although getting into first choice major rates higher than financing education and more students at UBCV tend to be ‘very concerned’

Recruitment and Admissions – choice of universityRecruitment and Admissions – choice of university

How many post-secondary institutions did you apply to for Fall 2009?

N %

only 1 283 33.1

2 213 24.9

3 181 21.1

4 or more 179 20.9

Total 856 100.0Which best describes your situation when you applied for admission to UBCO?

N %

UBCO was my first choice. 350 41.1

UBCO was my first choice, but I applied to other institutions to see what they would offer.

175 20.5

I did not have a first choice; I decided to wait until I heard back from all institutions before making a decision.

179 21.0

UBCO was a back-up option, since I preferred to attend another institution. 38 4.5

I did not apply to UBCO. I was not admitted to my preferred program at UBCV and accepted an alternate offer of...

110 12.9

Total 852 100.0

61.6% had UBCO as their first choice

Recruitment and Admissions -- CommunicationRecruitment and Admissions -- Communication

I was pleased with the frequency with which UBCO communicated with me.

N %

Strongly disagree 17 2.0

Disagree 61 7.1

Agree 445 51.8

Strongly Agree 303 35.3

Didn't do it / Not Applicable 33 3.8

Total 859 100.0

I was able to have questions answered quickly and thoroughly.

N %

Strongly disagree 21 2.5

Disagree 70 8.2

Agree 410 47.8

Strongly Agree 269 31.4

Didn't do it / Not Applicable 87 10.2

Total 857 100.0

Recruitment and Admissions -- CommunicationRecruitment and Admissions -- Communication

Which best describes your situation when you received your offer from UBCO?

N %

I received UBCO's offer later than most of my other decisions, and did not have enough time to consider it seriously.

30 5.3

I received UBCO's offer later than most of my other decisions, but nonetheless I did have enough time to give it...

176 30.9

I received UBCO's offer at about the same time as most of my other decisions.

236 41.5

I received UBCO's offer first. 127 22.3

Total 569 100.0

Recruitment and Admissions – Decision to ApplyRecruitment and Admissions – Decision to Apply

Decision to ApplyTo no extent

To some extent

To a large extent

Living in Kelowna 28% 29% 43%

Distance of UBCO from home 31% 28% 40%

Ability to transfer to the UBC Vancouver campus 34% 30% 36%

UBCO's overall reputation 16% 50% 35%

Good preparation for jobs and careers 21% 48% 32%

Positive word of mouth from friends, family and counsellors 20% 52% 29%

Quality of academic experience 21% 51% 28%

Good preparation for graduate and professional schools 27% 45% 28%

Size of the campus 31% 43% 26%

Quality of overall experience 24% 52% 25%

Offer of scholarship / financial assistance 43% 37% 19%

The cost of attending UBCO compared to other choices 46% 34% 19%

Study Abroad/Exchange programs 52% 30% 18%

Friendliness of campus community 34% 48% 18%

My UBCO program's reputation 37% 45% 18%

Commute time 51% 33% 17%

My parents wanted me to come here 53% 32% 15%

On-campus housing assignment 55% 32% 13%

Rankings in national magazines 57% 31% 12%

A visit to the campus 62% 27% 11%

Co-op programs 58% 32% 11%

Information from recruiters 54% 37% 9%

UBCO is the only university that has the specific program that I am interested in 68% 23% 9%

Research opportunties 57% 35% 8%

UBCO's website 50% 42% 8%

UBCO's focus on global citizenship 60% 32% 8%

Internship and practicum programs 58% 34% 8%

UBCO's publications 66% 31% 3%

The athletic dept recruited me 92% 6% 2%

Decision to apply and decision to attend Decision to apply and decision to attend

Respondents top five reasons for attending UBCO were the same as the top five reasons for applying to UBC

Living in Kelowna Distance of UBCO from home Ability to transfer to the UBC Vancouver Campus UBCO’s overall reputation Good preparation for jobs and careers

Of those who said ‘living in Kelowna’, 43% are from the Okanagan school district and 28% are from outside BC (mostly Alberta and Ontario)

Re ‘ability to transfer to UBC Vancouver’ is one of the top five reasons provided by non-Lower Mainland students

What are respondents looking forward to the most? What are respondents looking forward to the most?

Students were asked to identify two areas that excited them the most about the upcoming year

Meeting new people New environment Interesting classes Living alone; change of environment Clubs and new experiences

What are respondents concerned about the most? What are respondents concerned about the most?

Students were asked to identify two areas that worried them the most about the upcoming year

Doing well; maintaining good grades Social environment; making friends Being homesick Finances Course load; being able to maintain a balance between academic and non

academic Overall ability to succeed

What can UBC do to improve the first year experience? What can UBC do to improve the first year experience?

Better web site (s); information is difficult to find Help with course selection/registration “More user friendly ssc” Better communication; more informative emails Quicker response to emails/questions Provide check lists of what’s required

What can UBC do to improve the first year experience?What can UBC do to improve the first year experience? Student comments

I had a hard time figuring out which classes I was expected to take during my first year, and ended up just getting advice from a second year student at UBCO who I'm friends with. If there's any way to make that clearer for new students? That's the only thing I'd suggest.Student Service Centre needs to be more knowlegable, bring more languaus to UBCO (greek, latin)Registering for courses is like playing tetris with your timetable. It's really hard to do for someone who hasn't been showed anything. Makes it really hard to be satisfied with how you think your school year is going to go.More media to give prospective students a clearer view of the beautiful campus and the campus life they'll experience, because it was a major selling point for me.I participated in a Campus tour on a Saturday, and most of the buildings were locked up

What can UBC do to improve the first year experience?What can UBC do to improve the first year experience? More student comments

Student advisors should contact the students more frequently during the admission process as well as before and during registration. The actual admission of students should also happen sooner (February or March as opposed to May. OttawaU accepted students in December.) so as to make it easier for students to make a well thought out decision when choosing between universities.

I think that first year students should get more help wits time to schedule for classes. It took me a long time to schedule classes and I had alot of confusion with not knowing what classes were the right choice for me.

More explanation of how system works,how to select classes, what to do to get set up properly, etc.

Have more information on the size of the dorm rooms and what csn fit in them for new students on your website

Get your website to a usable level, and train your service people so they can ACCURATELY answer questions. I had to struggle on many occasions with different service people who had no clue what they were doing. Honestly, the experience of getting into UBCO was extremely unpleasant. UVIC students have had no problems with registration or anything, and their website is better than UBCO's.

I received more email messages from other schools that I had applied to about the application process and about upcoming deadlines. I would have liked to have received more emails regarding application process and status from UBCO.

Next StepsNext Steps

Analyze student comments

Analyze data for transfer students

Provide NUBC data to deans at faculty level

Drill down on some questions by gender, international

Use NUBC as the stimulus for improving processes

Focus NUBC discussion to align with institutional strategic goals (Trek 2010)

Design survey instrument for February follow up

Next year?

New to UBC (NUBC) Student Survey, 2009 Results for UBC-Okanagan.

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