SUNY Student Opinion Survey 
Highlights of Results 
2013 

Christine Work & Stacey Moegenburg 

 

Presentation for the Center for Teaching & Learning 

October 2013 


Presentation Objectives 

.Overview of SUNY Student Opinion Survey 
(SOS) 


 

.Highlights of SOS Survey Results 
.Discussing the Results � just the beginning 


 

.Next Steps in utilizing the results of SOS: 
.Accessibility of results 
.Align with goals, priorities, etc� 
.Further inquiry 
.Identify areas for improvement 
.Promote �positives� 





ABOUT the SUNY 
Student Opinion Survey (SOS) 2013 

.SUNY led the System�s community colleges in a 
�cooperative research effort to assess students� 
impressions of their college educations.� 
.The SOS has been administered every 3 years 
since 1985 [Spring 2013 = 10th administration] 
.Participants - 29 Community Colleges 
participated in 2013 



PUPROSE of SOS to 
�Explore & Assess� 
.SUNY Student Opinion Survey collects 
�background, attitude, & opinion 
information from samples of students to explore 
and assess:� 
.College impressions and plans 
.Satisfaction with services, facilities, and environment 
.Perceived college outcomes 
.Frequency of selected academic experiences 
.Extent of campus contributions to student 
growth/preparation 





Where do we START� 
.Know how to access the Results & Instrument 
.Review the SOS instrument & items 
.Become familiar with survey: sections, items & 
response types 


.Understand WHO responded [handout] 
.Appreciate limitations of survey AND comparisons 
.Differences between other community colleges & past 
SOS administrations 


.�Dive In� - What are your initial impressions? 
.Reflect � What is important/timely [goals] for my 
department/unit 



P:Drive = Results Reports 


Survey SECTIONS 
Section I � College Impressions 

Section II - College Services & Facilities 

Section III � College Programs & Experiences 

.Academic Environment 
.College Information (printed or online) 
.Student Life 
.Campus Culture & Environment 




Section IV � College Outcomes 

Section V � Background Information & Plans 

Section VI � Additional Questions 



Sampling & Return Rate 

.Participating campuses 
selected their 
administration method. 
. SUNY Orange 
administered the SOS 
during class 
.Only 5 institutions 
administered the SOS 
online 


SUNY Orange 2013 

1,273 

#Students Sampled 

963 

# Surveys Processed 

76 

Response Rate 

881 

# Valid Records used 
in Reports 




Snapshot - Understanding WHO 
Responded to the Survey 
Comparisons & Considering Factors 
To Compare or Not to Compare 

.While Comparison Reports are available; [results broken 
out by institution, ALL community colleges, & by sector 
(size)], it is important to consider: 


 

.Sampling & Administration Procedures 
.Respondents� Demographic Characteristics 
.Availability of Services, Programs, & Facilities 
.Wording, Format & Context of Survey Items 
.Invalid Responses 
.Absolute Interpretations 
.Tests of Significance 
.Significance Levels 





Section I 
College Impressions 
Question 

Responses 

% 

If you could start over, would you choose to 
attend this college again? 

Definitely Yes 

Probably Yes 

28.5% 

39% 

BEFORE you enrolled, what was your 
impression of the quality of education at this 
college? 

Very High 

High 

Average 

6.9% 

32% 

51.6% 

SINCE you enrolled, what is your impression 
of the quality of education at this college? 

Very High 

High 

Average 

15.7% 

47.6% 

32.5% 

How satisfied are you with this college 
overall? 

Very Satisfied 

Satisfied 

Neither 

15.8% 

54.8% 

23.7% 




Top 10 - Section II 
College Services & Facilities 

1.Library resources & services 
(4.09) 
2.Library facilities (4.02) 
3.Availability of online services 
(course registration, bill 
payment, etc.) (3.92) 
4.General condition of building & 
grounds (3.84) 
5.Study areas (3.82) 
6.Learning center facilities (3.77) 
7.Course-related laboratories 
(3.76) 
8.Classroom facilities (3.73) 
9.Athletic facilities (3.73) 
10.Peer tutoring services (3.71) 


1.College food services (3.02) 
2.Job search assistance (3.10) 
3.Transfer planning services (3.21) 
4.Career planning services (3.28) 
5.Internet access (including 
wireless) (3.36) 
6.Parking facilities (3.37) 
7.Financial aid services (not 
amount of aid) (3.38) 
8.Availability of academic 
advisor(s) (3.44) 
9.College bookstore services (3.46) 
10.Course registration process 
(3.47) 


Top 10 

Bottom 10 
5 = Very satisfied; 4 = Satisfied; 3 = Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied; 2 = Dissatisfied; 1 = Very dissatisfied 
TOP 3 � Section III 
College Programs & Experiences 

1.Class size 
2.Overall quality of 
instruction 
3.Availability of 
instructors outside of 
class 


1.Health and wellness 
programs 
2.Campus clubs and 
activities 
3.Guest speakers outside 
of class 
4.New student 
orientation 


Academic Experience 

Student Life 
5 = Very satisfied; 4 = Satisfied; 3 = Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied; 2 = Dissatisfied; 1 = Very dissatisfied 
Additional Questions 


[Further] Analysis Activities 
Examples 
.Prediction VS Actual 
.Focus Groups 
.Alignment with goals, priorities, IE 
measures, master plan, 
department/unit plans 
.Measures of value 
.Benchmarks 


.�Data Narrative� from CCSSE 
.Ideas, suggestions, etc. 



Next Steps� 

.Continue to share results with college community 
.Collaborate with Assessment Advisory Committee to 
identify effective dissemination strategies 


.Identify areas of further focus in order to develop 
action and implementation plans� 
.Institutionally - review planning documents 
(Strategic Plan, Master Plans, department/unit 
plans) to establish measures & benchmarks 
.Celebrate successes!!! 
.SHARE with students 
.Ideas & suggestions� 



Questions and 
Comments