IAR Insights - Spring 2017 | California State University Monterey Bay

IAR Insights - Spring 2017

IAR Insights, Volume 1, Spring 2017 header banner displaying light bulb.

Welcome to our inaugural issue of IAR Insights!

In this issue:

Based on the feedback received regarding students' perceptions of and satisfaction with the education and services they receive from CSUMB, the results of these two student-centered studies (CSUMB Experience Study and CIRP Freshman Survey) should enable the university to make data-informed decisions to improve the overall student experience at CSUMB.

2016 CSUMB Experience Study

In Spring 2016, all undergraduate degree-seeking students at CSUMB were invited to participate in the student experience survey, and 3,548 students responded to at least a portion of the survey; 2,860 students respondent to at least half of the questions; and 2,101 students responded to a majority of the questions. These participation rates were 53.4%, 43.2%, and 31.7% of the student body, respectively. Characteristics of the study participants broadly matched those of the CSUMB student body at large. Racial/ethnic groups and students by class level responded to the survey at rates proportionate with the racial/ethnic and class level characteristics of the overall CSUMB undergraduate student population. Females were somewhat over-represented in the survey population with nearly 70% of respondents identifying as female compared to the overall undergraduate population of CSUMB being 62% female.

2016 CSUMB Experience Study infographic (narrative description below)

Quantitative visualization reports

Four interactive, quantitative visualization reports of the 2016 CSUMB Experience Study are available with questions curated to the different business needs on campus and include:

Screen reader accessible versions of the quantitative reports are also available.

Qualitative reports

“The professors have been exceptional and extremely helpful and supportive in furthering my education.”
— Anonymous Student

Access the 2016 CSUMB Experience Study qualitative results to open-ended survey questions via IAR's Qualitative Survey Reporting Tool. Via this tool, users can explore open-ended responses and can access the Qualitative Summary Report and Qualitative Presentation (Note: If you do not yet have access to IAR's Qualitative Survey Reporting tool, request access. You will need to use your Otter single sign on ID to login to the Qualitative Survey Reporting Tool.)

Infographic of results from 2016 CSUMB Experience Study. 73% of responding students are satisfied or very satisfied with the overall CSUMB experience. 81% are confident that they will complete their undergraduate studies at CSUMB. 66% are satisfied or very satisfied with CSUMB's overall commitment to students. 73% would recommend CSUMB to prospective students. 71% would definitely or probably choose to attend CSUMB if making the college choice over again. 59% are satisfied or very satisfied with the sense of community or belonging on campus. 75% are satisfied with the friendliness of people on campus since enrolling at CSUMB. 73% are satisfied or very satisfied with tolerance of different viewpoints at CSUMB. 67% are satisfied or very satisfied with the diversity of CSUMB's student body. 76% are satisfied or very satisfied with support or helpfulness from fellow students at CSUMB. 70% are satisfied or very satisfied with CSUMB's commitment to sustainability. 77% are satisfied or very satisfied with academic programs and majors since enrolling at CSUMB. 64% are satisfied or very satisfied with Academic Advising Services. 74% are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of teaching in courses in their major since enrolling at CSUMB. 81% are satisfied or very satisfied with library resources. 65% are satisfied or very satisfied with CSUMB's academic reputation since enrolling. 70% are satisfied or very satisfied with tutoring services at the Cooperative Learning Center. The response rate was 53% (n = 3,548) of CSUMB’s undergraduate students participated in the study by responding to at least part of the survey. Percentages were calculate excluding "Not applicable/No basis to judge" response from the total. View more detailed results online: http://bit.ly/csumbes2016. Institutional Assessment & Research, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955-8001. csumb.edu/iar. iar@csumb.edu.

Download infographic

Download a print quality PDF of the CIRP Freshman Survey infographic

CIRP Freshman Survey

In fall 2016, freshman students at CSUMB were invited to take part in the 2016 CIRP Freshman Survey. This survey collects important information from incoming students early in their college experience and examines established behaviors in high school, academic preparedness, admissions decisions, expectations of college, interactions with peers and faculty, student values and goals, student demographic characteristics, and concerns about financing college.

Six hundred freshman CSUMB students were invited to participate in the 2016 CIRP Freshman Survey, and 539 students responded to the request, for an overall response rate of 89.8%.

In the infographic below, CSUMB students are compared with national results of all participating freshman students.

Results presentation

For more detailed reporting on CSUMB's results, access the 2016 results presentation. In the detailed 2016 results presentation, CSUMB students are compared to public four-year colleges of low selectivity. The CIRP Freshman Survey uses CIRP Constructs in their reporting to help summarize important information about participating students. These constructs statistically aggregate the results from CIRP questions that tap into key aspects of the college experience. They focus on student traits and institutional practices contributing to students' academic and social development. Visit the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) website for more information on CIRP constructs. To learn more about the CIRP Freshman Survey and to view the 2016 Monograph of national results, visit HERI's CIRP Freshman Survey website.

2016 CIRP Freshman Survey infographic (narrative description below)

Infographic of results 2016 CIRP Freshman Survey. National results are shown in Navy. CSU Monterey Bay results are shown in Red. Members of the 2016 freshman class are thinking a lot about politics. They are eager to get involved and share their views, but are also looking for support as they try to navigate their new environment. With a divisive political climate, freshman are expressing their views. 80% of national students and 86% of CSU Monterey Bay students think global climate change should be a federal priority. Yes means yes. 87% of national students and 90% of CSU Monterey Bay students agree that sexual activity without explicit, affirmative consent is considered sexual assault. 68% of national students and 73% of CSU Monterey Bay students believe the federal government should have stricter gun control laws. Students are taking action to promote change. 22% of national students and 21% of CSU Monterey Bay students demonstrated for a cause. 51% of national students and 48% of CSU Monterey Bay students spoke up publicly about a cause. 55% of national students and 40% of CSU Monterey Bay students helped raise money for a cause or campaign. Incoming students believe in the importance of community involvement and civic values. 36% of national students and 36% of CSU Monterey Bay students feel it’s important to participate in a community action program. 43% of national students and 34% of CSU Monterey Bay students feel it’s important to become a community leader. 47% of national students and 49% of CSU Monterey Bay students feel it’s important to promote racial understanding. 49% of national students and 51% of CSU Monterey Bay students feel it’s important to influence social values. Students seem eager and ready to engage with research and science. 53% of national students and 37% of CSU Monterey Bay students are confident in their ability to understand scientific concepts. 65% of national students and 55% of CSU Monterey Bay students anticipate working on a professor’s research project. 50% of national students and 42% of CSU Monterey Bay students derive satisfaction from working on a team that is doing important research. 35% of national students and 20% of CSU Monterey Bay students feel like they belong in the field of science. Students are applying complex thinking strategies. 63% of national students and 45% of CSU Monterey Bay students frequently supported their opinion with a logical argument. 49% of national students and 36% of CSU Monterey Bay students frequently evaluated the quality or reliability of infomraiton. 46% of national students and 38% of CSU Monterey Bay students frequently analyzed information from multiple sources before drawing a conclusion. And colleges need to be prepared to support students’ mental health concerns as they arrive on campus. 84% of national students and 87% of CSU Monterey Bay students felt anxious. 51% of national students and 67% of CSU Monterey Bay students felt depressed. 41% of national students and 51% of CSU Monterey Bay students were frequently overwhelmed by all they had to do. 47% of national students and 49% of CSU Monterey Bay students anticipate seeking personal counseling. CIRP. CSU Monterey Bay Response Rate: 89.8% (n = 539). Information about students entering college helps enrollment planning, retention efforts, and provides a baseline for understanding college effectiveness. Register for the CIRP Freshman Survey at www.cirpsurveys.org. The 2016 CIRP Freshman Survey findings are available at www.heri.ucla.edu/publications-tfs. Survey Source: CIRP Freshman Survey 2016. www.heri.ucls.edu. Facebook.com/HERI.CIRP. Twitter @HERIUCLA.