Student satisfaction survey gauges USD experience

There were few surprises with USD’s results of the 2015 Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI), a USD official says.

Administered last spring, results of the SSI were given to USD officials this August, said Lindsay Hayes, coordinator of student and institutional assessments.

Hayes plans and implements USD’s yearly student surveys.

The university rotates between two different surveys each year – the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which will be administered this spring, and the SSI, which was the survey most recently taken by students.

Though there is overlap between the two national surveys, the NSSE focuses more on student engagement than the SSI, Hayes said.

“They do measure different aspects. So if you think of USD as a mountain, and our students are looking at the mountain, this group is looking at this side, that’d be the Noel-Levitz, this group is looking at this side, that’s the NSSE,” she said. “It’s kind of the same kind of information, you’re going to say what they mountain looks like, but it’s going to be interpreted just a little bit differently.”

While the NSSE only measures a select group of first-years and seniors, the SSI is representative of the whole student body, Hayes said.

A total of 1,388 students participated in last spring’s SSI, which Hayes said is a large response when compared to the 2013 total.

“It speaks very well of how our students are viewing their experiences here at USD,” she said.

The survey consisted of about 100 questions in which students rated what was important to them as well as what they consider to be important. Students could opt out of answering questions, Hayes added.

A brief overview of the survey’s results, which was distributed to various faculty, mostly deans, throughout campus this fall, include what topics students ranked as strengths and weaknesses at USD. The overview also includes in what areas USD students were more or less satisfied with compared to other four-year public universities.

USD faired well nationally in several areas, including the following:

I am able to register for classes I need with few conflicts
My academic advisor is concerned about my success as an individual
The campus is safe and secure for students
On the whole, the campus is well-maintained

“When we’re rated as higher satisfaction in so many areas compared to other national four-year public colleges it’s very exciting for us,” Hayes said.

USD had 16 statements in the higher satisfaction category, with only four in the lower satisfaction category:

Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment
Living conditions in the residence halls are comfortable (adequate space, lighting, heat, air, etc.)
Student activities fees are put to good use
The amount of student parking space on campus is adequate

Some of the 15 statements rated as strengths at USD include:

I am able to experience intellectual growth here
Campus item: Faculty members show tolerance and respect for diversity in the classroom
Freedom of expression is protected on campus

Some of USD’s 18 challenges, according to the survey’s results, are:

Faculty are fair and unbiased in their treatment of individual students
Financial aid counselors are helpful
Billing policies are reasonable

“The content of the courses within my major is valuable” and “The instruction in major field is excellent” were at the top of both the strengths and challenges lists.

Hayes said though she’s not sure what specific changes will come from the survey’s results, she believes that USD faculty will take them into consideration.

“We were very satisfied with the results, it showed that are students are viewing us as making great bounds and exceeding a lot of expectations that may have been a concern from the 2013 survey when we administered it last,” Hayes said.

Ally Krupinsky

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