Student Satisfaction Inventory

Copyright 1997, USA Group Noel-Levitz, Inc.

Fall 1997 Houghton College Results

During the first semester of the 1997-98 academic year a sample of the Houghton College student body was asked to complete a Student Satisfaction Inventory provided by USA Group Noel-Levitz, Inc. 265 students completed the survey (70 freshmen, 88 sophomores, 60 juniors, 45 seniors, and 2 no classification).

There were 115 questions in the survey. Students were asked to rate each area using a 7 point scale.

This report compares selected responses from the 265 Houghton College students with responses from 19,373 Christian College consortium students.

Below are two tables. The first table contains the 20 areas the surveyed students were most satisified with at Houghton College. The second table contains the 20 areas the surveyed students were least satisfied with at Houghton College.

Significance between the means of HC students and CCCU students is as follows:

* Difference statistically significant at the .05 level
** Difference statisically significant at the .01 level
*** Difference statistically significant at the .001 level

If you wish to read the entire report, contact Willis Beardsley (wbeardsley@houghton.edu) for a copy.

Table 1 Houghton College Students Most Satisfied with:
Houghton College Means - 12/97 CCCU Means - Fall 1997 Mean Diff. (Satis- faction) Import-
ance Satisfac-
tion/
SD Perform-
ance
Gap Import-
ance Satisfac-
tion/
SD Perform-
ance
Gap HC - CCCU This institution has a good reputation
within the community

6.28

6.38/.90

-0.10 6.33 6.03/1.19 .30 .35*** The college's faculty are of
high quality 6.76 6.27/.84 .49 6.06 5.18/1.61 .88 1.09*** Nearly all of the faculty are
knowledgeable in their field 6.72 6.27/.97 .45 6.64 6.04/1.05 .60 .23*** I am able to experience
intellectual growth here 6.70 6.26/.82 .44 6.58 5.90/1.11 .68 .36*** There is a commitment to academic
excellence on this campus 6.48 6.24/1.00 .24 6.48 5.79/1.19 .69 .45*** On the whole, the campus
is well-maintained 6.18 6.19/.85 -0.01 6.25 5.85/1.23 .40 .34*** Males and females are treated
with equal respect on this campus 6.47 6.12/.93 .35 6.42 5.76/1.35 .66 .36*** The instruction in my
major field is excellent 6.78 6.07/.98 .71 6.68 5.71/1.27 .97 .36*** My academic advisor is knowledgeable
about requirements in my major 6.59 6.05/1.14 .54 6.58 5.80/1.41 .78 .25** The campus staff are
caring and helpful 6.56 5.98/.99 .58 6.49 5.81/1.12 .68 .17* This campus provides adequate
opportunities for involvement
in ministry 6.11 5.98/1.10 .13 6.19 5.98/1.18 .21 .00 My academic advisor
is approachable 6.58 5.97/1.27 .61 6.48 5.80/1.42 .68 .17 The content of the courses within
my major is valuable 6.79 5.95/.97 .84 6.70 5.70/1.22 1.00 .25** The student center is a comfortable
place for students to spend their time 5.76 5.94/1.09 -.18 5.73 5.00/1.62 .73 .94*** It is an enjoyable experience to be
a student on this campus 6.67 5.94/1.32 .73 6.55 5.76/1.36 .79 .18* The qualilty of instruction I receive
in most of my classes is excellent 6.69 5.93/1.01 .76 6.62 5.70/1.19 .92 .23** Students are made to feel
welcome on this campus 6.45 5.92/1.19 .53 6.42 5.77/1.28 .65 .15 Faculty are usually available after
class and during office hours 6.44 5.92/1.10 .52 6.40 5.77/1.19 .63 .15* Faculty care about me
as an individual 6.48 5.90/.97 .58 6.40 5.74/1.14 .66 .16* My understanding of God is being
strengthened by classroom and/ or
campus experiences 6.63 5.90/1.21 .73 6.51 5.81/1.28 .70 .09

* Difference statistically significant at the .05 level

** Difference statisically significant at the .01 level

*** Difference statistically significant at the .001 level

Table 2 Houghton College Students Least Satisfied with: Houghton College Means - 12/97 CCCU Means - Fall 1997 Mean
Diff.
(Satis-
faction) The amount of parking space on
campus is adequate 5.21 4.23/1.71 .98 5.90 3.75/1.86 2.15 .48*** Computer labs are
adequate and accessible 6.23 4.37/1.67 1.86 6.35 4.86/1.66 1.49 -.49*** Library resources and
services are adequate 6.39 4.41/1.71 1.98 6.30 4.74/1.67 1.56 -.33** There is an adequate selection
of food available in the cafeteria 6.15 4.52/1.81 1.63 6.14 4.22/1.83 1.92 .30** The staff in the health services
are competent 6.07 4.55/1.65 1.52 5.94 4.99/1.47 .95 -.44*** Billing policies
are reasonable 6.20 4.59/1.54 1.61 6.14 4.80/1.50 1.34 -.21* The business office is open
during hours which are
convenient for most students 5.64 4.60/1.38 1.04 5.87 5.13/1.39 .74 -.53*** Security staff respond
quickly in emergencies 6.46 4.62/1.58 1.84 6.29 4.84/1.57 1.45 -.22* Initiatives related to technology
across campus have benefited
my education 6.08 4.68/1.65 1.40 6.14 5.23/1.62 .91 -.55*** Adequate financial aid is
available for most students 6.60 4.68/1.63 1.92 6.51 4.74/1.63 1.77 -.06 Financial aid counselors are
helpful 6.21 4.87/1.51 1.34 6.27 4.99/1.54 1.28 -.12 Institution's committment to
evening students - 4.88/1.12 - - 4.96/1.32 - -.08 Institution's commitment to
students with disabilities - 4.89/1.44 - - 5.10/1.45 - -.21* Student activities fees
are put to good use 6.11 4.90/1.49 1.21 6.09 4.84/1.57 1.25 .06 Channels for expressing
student complaints are
readily available 5.78 4.91/1.42 .87 6.01 4.78/1.54 1.23 .13 There are a sufficient number
of weekend activities
for students 5.80 4.92/1.40 .88 5.59 4.82/1.59 .77 .10 Parking lots are well-lighted
and secure 5.82 4.96/1.36 .86 6.07 4.91/1.58 1.16 .05 I seldom get the "run-around"
when seeking information
on this campus 6.13 5.05/1.46 1.08 6.22 4.85/1.68 1.37 .20 Institution's commitment to
part-time students - 5.05/1.20 - - 5.05/1.29 - - Financial aid awards are
announced to students in
time to be helpful
in college planning 6.13 5.09/1.48 1.22 6.21 4.69/1.69 1.52 .40***