Executive Summary

Each year, the Office of Analysis, Assessment, and Accreditation conducts a survey of freshman and sophomore students to determine their attitudes and perceptions of the initial phase of their USU experience. The survey includes questions on: advising, department/faculty experiences, general education, libraries/technology, starting college, campus climate, overall experiences at USU, and evaluation of other services and activities, as well as student demographics.

The 2013 Freshman/Sophomore survey was administered in sixteen classes with high proportions of freshman and sophomore students. Completed surveys were obtained from 1,702 students, which provide a sample of freshman and sophomore students at USU as a whole. The survey sample mirrored those of the general freshman and sophomore population at USU in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender. Two-thirds of the respondents were between 18 and 20 years of age, 51.7% were male, and 9.9% were minorities. Eight percent of the respondents were married. Three quarters of the respondents were Utah residents. Among the important findings of the survey are the following:

Overall Perceptions of USU

Utah State University was the first choice of a college to attend for 72.5% of the respondents, and second choice for 21.9% of the respondents.
87.4% of the respondents were satisfied with the education they were receiving at USU; 9.5% marked neutral.
76.9% of the respondents said that if they had to make the decision again, they would still come to USU; 15.5% of the respondents were neutral.
78.9% of the respondents intended to graduate from USU; 13.3% were uncertain.
63.5% indicated that the tuition they paid at USU was a worthwhile investment; 25.2% marked neutral.
97.7% of the respondents said they would tell graduating high school students to come to USU, or would tell them mostly positive things about USU.

General Education

46.8% of the respondents said General Education was a useful part of their university experience; 30.4% were neutral in their response.
31.7% of the respondents had difficulty scheduling general education courses.
41.3% said that General Education courses were well-taught; 36.8% were neutral.

Faculty/Department Experiences

73% of the respondents said they were satisfied with their department; 23.4% were neutral.
78.5% of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of teaching in their department; 17.6% were neutral.
83.3% of the respondents said faculty members were usually available after class and during office hours; 13.7% were neutral in their response.
84% said they were respected and treated fairly by their department; 14% were neutral.

Libraries/Technology

66.1% of the respondents indicated USU libraries had the books, journals, and materials they needed; 31.1% were neutral.
68.2% said library staff was available and helpful; 29.8% marked neutral.
73.4% indicated that teachers used technology effectively in the classroom; 21.7% were neutral.

Starting College

53.3% of the respondents felt overwhelmed by the demands on their time; 29.3% marked neutral.
73.6% indicated that they had close friends here at USU; 13.3% were neutral in their response.
The Registration Office was used by 74.4% of the respondent's one or more times; 83.8% of those that used it were satisfied or very satisfied with the office.
Online Registration was used by 91% of the respondents; 67.9% of those that used it were satisfied or very satisfied.
The Bookstore was used by 96.8% of the respondents; 88.6% were satisfied or very satisfied.

Financial Aid

31% of the respondents' financial support came from parents or other relatives, 18% came from scholarships, and 14% came from personal savings.
24% of the respondents worked half-time or more while taking courses.
The Financial Aid Office was used by 49.3% of the respondents, and 82% of those that used it were satisfied or very satisfied.

Campus Climate

91.5% of the respondents felt safe on the USU campus; 1.9% did not feel safe on campus.
17% of the respondents said USU does not provide enough activities for its students; 34.4% were neutral.
69.9% of the respondents said faculty care about students; 25.6% were neutral.
81.2% of the respondents said professors are respectful of different points of view; 14.4% were neutral.