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University of Massachusetts Amherst
SARIS - Student Affairs Research, Information and Systems
First Week Survey (F96-B)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Most of the students attending any of the nine activities during First Week lived on campus. More than half of the students surveyed said they did not receive the flyer advertising the First Week activities. Over 80% of those who received the flyer however, reported that they read the flyer. The Welcome Back Jam sponsored by AHORA and the movie "Twelve Monkeys" had the highest attendance (8% each). At least seventy-five percent of those attending the events reported that each event was either very or somewhat enjoyable. The top two ways in which students found out about the events was either through a flyer or a friend.

On Tuesday September 24, 1996 , Project Pulse conducted a "First Week" survey for the Campus Activities Office. The survey investigated students' participation in and reactions to the First Week Activities sponsored by the Campus Activities Office. We also asked each student how they found out about each of the nine events held during the "First Week." Project Pulse interviewers attempted to contact 1,501 undergraduates who were randomly selected by computer from the University's student database. The response rate for the survey is 51%. Final dispositions for the sample are presented in Table 1. The average age of the students is 20, with 50% (n=297) male and 50% (n=299) female (Table 2). Table 2 also shows respondents' ethnicity, place of residence, and year in school.

Table 1: Final Disposition of the Sample
N
% of Total
% of Contacted
In & cooperated
559
40
81
Contacted, but refused
141
9
19
Not contacted
443
30
Unobtainable phone no.
294
20
Ineligible
24
2
Totals
1,501
100
100

 

Table 2: Demographics of the Respondents
%
Female
50.2
Male
49.8
 
First-year
30.4
Sophomore
26.4
Junior
20.8
Senior
22.4
 
Biracial/Multi-racial
1.2
African-American/Black
3.5
Asian-American/Pacific Islander
6.1
Cape Verdean
0.3
Latino/Hispanic/Chicano
3.2
Native American/American Indian
0.7
White or Caucasian
83.1
 
Fraternity or Sorority
1.5
Off-Campus
27.2
Northeast
8.6
Sylvan
7.6
Orchard Hill
8.7
Central
12.6
Southwest
32.9
Family Housing
0.8

First, students were asked whether they had received and read the flyer advertising the First Week Activities. More than half (57%, n=221) of those who live on campus said they did receive the flyer. Over eighty-percent (n=195) of those who received the mailing said that they had read the flyer.

Next, students were asked three questions about nine events held during First Week. The events included four dances, two movies, an educational program by Gary Tuerack, a comedy show, and a "Welcome Back Party." The questions were: 1) Did you attend the event? 2) How did you find out about the event? and 3) How enjoyable was the event? (For the educational program the wording was, "how informative was the event?")

Figure 1 shows the percentages of students saying they attended each event. The Welcome Back Jam sponsored by AHORA and the movie "Twelve Monkeys" had the highest attendance (8% each) of all the events. Figure 2 shows activity attendance by place of residence (on or off campus).

Figure 1: Proportion of students who attended each event.

Figure 2: Activity Attendance by Place of Residence (on-campus or off-campus)

Students also were asked how they found out about each event. The choices were: through an informational flyer, a poster, an RA, a friend, or from some other source. For all nine events the top two choices were either a flyer or a friend. The respondents who attended each event also were asked how much they enjoyed the event. The percentages of attendees reporting that they found each event either somewhat or very enjoyable are reported in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Percentages of respondents reporting that they found each event either somewhat or very enjoyable. (For the educational program, the question was worded somewhat or very informative).

Students also were asked whether they would support the inclusion of more educational programs into First Week activities. Eighty-percent (n=469) reported that they would be either very, or somewhat supportive ( see Figure 4).

Figure 4: How supportive would you be of incorporating more educational programs into First Week activities?

 

                               ITEM-BY-ITEM
Project Pulse                                         September 24, 1996

                        First Week Survey (F96-B)

Hello, is this _______?  My name is ________.  I'm calling you tonight for 
Project Pulse of the Student Affairs Research Office at UMass.  Tonight we 
are doing a telephone survey to find out about students' participation 
in and reactions to the First Week Activities sponsored by the Campus 
Activities Office during the first week of school.  You have been randomly 
selected from the entire undergraduate population to be part of tonight's 
survey.  I would like to ask you some questions which should take only 
about five minutes.  All of your responses are completely confidential.  
Please feel free to ask questions at any time.


Did you receive a yellowish informational flyer through the mail which 
described the First Week activities sponsored by the Campus Activities 
Office?



                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1       239     39.8     43.5     43.5
No                              2       311     51.8     56.5    100.0
dk/refused                      3        50      8.3   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     550      Missing cases     50



(if yes)
Did you read the informational flyer about First Week activities?


                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1       195     81.6     83.0     83.0
No                              2        40     16.7     17.0    100.0
dk/refused                      3         4      1.7   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       239    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     235      Missing cases      4



Next, I am going to ask you some questions about specific campus 
activities you may have attended during First Week.

Did you attend the Welcome Back Jam, a dance which was held on Monday, 
September 2nd in the Campus Center and was sponsored by AHORA? 


                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        48      8.0      8.0      8.0
No                              2       552     92.0     92.0    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     600      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How did you find out about the Welcome Back Jam?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1        16     33.3     33.3     33.3
a poster                        2         4      8.3      8.3     41.7
an RA                           3         7     14.6     14.6     56.3
a friend                        4        18     37.5     37.5     93.8
some other source               7         3      6.3      6.3    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        48    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      48      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the Welcome Back Jam?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1        12     25.0     25.0     25.0
Somewhat enjoyable              2        27     56.3     56.3     81.3
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         6     12.5     12.5     93.8
Very unenjoyable                4         3      6.3      6.3    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        48    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      48      Missing cases      0


Did you attend the First Week movie "Twelve Monkeys" which was 
held in the Campus Center Auditorium at 8PM and 10 PM on Tuesday, 
September 3rd?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        47      7.8      7.8      7.8
No                              2       553     92.2     92.2    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     600      Missing cases      0



(if attended)
How did you find out about the movie?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1        18     38.3     38.3     38.3
a poster                        2         8     17.0     17.0     55.3
an RA                           3         3      6.4      6.4     61.7
a friend                        4        15     31.9     31.9     93.6
cable channel 19-UVC            6         2      4.3      4.3     97.9
some other source               7         1      2.1      2.1    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        47    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      47      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the movie?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1        27     57.4     57.4     57.4
Somewhat enjoyable              2        18     38.3     38.3     95.7
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         1      2.1      2.1     97.9
Very unenjoyable                4         1      2.1      2.1    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        47    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      47      Missing cases      0


Did you attend Gary Tuerack's educational program called 
"Better Grades in Less Time," which was held in the Campus 
Center Auditorium at 8PM on Wednesday, September 4th?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        10      1.7      1.7      1.7
No                              2       589     98.2     98.3    100.0
dk/refused                      3         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     599      Missing cases      1


(if attended)
How did you find out about this educational program?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         3     30.0     30.0     30.0
a poster                        2         3     30.0     30.0     60.0
an RA                           3         3     30.0     30.0     90.0
a friend                        4         1     10.0     10.0    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        10    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      10      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How informative did you find this educational program?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very informative                1         2     20.0     20.0     20.0
Somewhat informative            2         8     80.0     80.0    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        10    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      10      Missing cases      0


Did you attend The Ultimate Video Dance, which was held in the Student 
Union Ballroom at 9PM on Friday, September 6th?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        22      3.7      3.7      3.7
No                              2       575     95.8     96.3    100.0
dk/refused                      3         3       .5   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     597      Missing cases      3


(if attended)
How did you find out about the Ultimate Video Dance?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         4     18.2     18.2     18.2
a poster                        2         2      9.1      9.1     27.3
an RA                           3         4     18.2     18.2     45.5
a friend                        4         9     40.9     40.9     86.4
cable channel 19-UVC            7         2      9.1      9.1     95.5
some other source               8         1      4.5      4.5    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        22    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      22      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the dance?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1         7     31.8     31.8     31.8
Somewhat enjoyable              2        13     59.1     59.1     90.9
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         1      4.5      4.5     95.5
Very unenjoyable                4         1      4.5      4.5    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        22    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      22      Missing cases      0


Did you attend a comedy show in the Bluewall Cafe at 8 PM on Friday, 
September, 6th?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        32      5.3      5.3      5.3
No                              2       567     94.5     94.7    100.0
                                .         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     599      Missing cases      1


(if attended)
How did you find out about the comedy show in the Bluewall Cafe?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         8     25.0     25.0     25.0
a poster                        2         5     15.6     15.6     40.6
an RA                           3         2      6.3      6.3     46.9
a friend                        4        12     37.5     37.5     84.4
cable channel 19-UVC            7         1      3.1      3.1     87.5
some other source               8         4     12.5     12.5    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        32    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      32      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the comedy show  in the Bluewall?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1        17     53.1     53.1     53.1
Somewhat enjoyable              2        14     43.8     43.8     96.9
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         1      3.1      3.1    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        32    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      32      Missing cases      0


Did you attend the First Week movie "Eraser" which was held in the 
Campus Center Auditorium at 8PM and 10 PM on Friday, September 6th?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        19      3.2      3.2      3.2
No                              2       580     96.7     96.8    100.0
                                .         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     599      Missing cases      1


(if attended)
How did you find out about the movie?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         7     36.8     36.8     36.8
a poster                        2         4     21.1     21.1     57.9
an RA                           3         1      5.3      5.3     63.2
a friend                        4         5     26.3     26.3     89.5
cable channel 19-UVC            7         2     10.5     10.5    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the movie?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1        10     52.6     52.6     52.6
Somewhat enjoyable              2         9     47.4     47.4    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


Did you attend the Welcome Back Party held in the Southside Room in 
Southwest at 10 PM on Friday, September 6th which was sponsored by 
CASA Dominicana?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        19      3.2      3.2      3.2
No                              2       579     96.5     96.8    100.0
                                .         1       .2   Missing
dk/refused                      3         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     598      Missing cases      2

(if attended)
How did you find out about the Welcome Back Party?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         9     47.4     47.4     47.4
an RA                           3         1      5.3      5.3     52.6
a friend                        4         9     47.4     47.4    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the Welcome Back Party?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1         7     36.8     36.8     36.8
Somewhat enjoyable              2        12     63.2     63.2    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


Did you attend the Dance Party held in Campus Center 1009 at 9 PM 
on Saturday, September 7th, which was sponsored by the Korean 
Students Association?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        14      2.3      2.3      2.3
No                              2       584     97.3     97.7    100.0
                                .         1       .2   Missing
dk/refused                      3         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     598      Missing cases      2


(if attended)
How did you find out about the Dance Party?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         5     35.7     35.7     35.7
an RA                           3         1      7.1      7.1     42.9
a friend                        4         6     42.9     42.9     85.7
some other source               8         2     14.3     14.3    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        14    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      14      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the Dance Party?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1         3     21.4     25.0     25.0
Somewhat enjoyable              2         6     42.9     50.0     75.0
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         3     21.4     25.0    100.0
dk/refused                      5         2     14.3   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        14    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      12      Missing cases      2


Did you attend the Dance held in the Southside Room in Southwest at 
10 PM on Saturday, September 7th which was sponsored by Iota Phi Theta?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Yes                             1        19      3.2      3.2      3.2
No                              2       579     96.5     96.8    100.0
                                .         1       .2   Missing
dk/refused                      3         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     598      Missing cases      2


(if attended)
How did you find out about the Dance?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

an informational flyer          1         7     36.8     36.8     36.8
a friend                        4        12     63.2     63.2    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


(if attended)
How enjoyable was the Dance?
                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very enjoyable                  1         5     26.3     26.3     26.3
Somewhat enjoyable              2        13     68.4     68.4     94.7
Somewhat unenjoyable            3         1      5.3      5.3    100.0
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total        19    100.0    100.0

Valid cases      19      Missing cases      0


Do you have any suggestions for activities to he held during 
First Week next year?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________



How supportive would you be of incorporating more educational 
programs into the First Week activities?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Very supportive                 1       155     25.8     26.2     26.2
Somewhat supportive             2       314     52.3     53.0     79.2
Somewhat unsupportive           3        89     14.8     15.0     94.3
Very unsupportive               4        34      5.7      5.7    100.0
                                .         2       .3   Missing
dk/refused                      5         6      1.0   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     592      Missing cases      8


Do you have any suggestions for educational programs to hold 
during First Week next year?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________



The last few questions ask for demographic information.  This 
information allows us to compare differences, if any, between groups.


Are you a - 

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

First-year student              1       181     30.2     30.4     30.4
Sophomore                       2       157     26.2     26.4     56.8
Junior                          3       124     20.7     20.8     77.6
Senior                          4       133     22.2     22.4    100.0
                                .         4       .7   Missing
dk/refused                      5         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     595      Missing cases      5



What is your age?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

                               17        21      3.5      3.5      3.5
                               18       163     27.2     27.5     31.1
                               19       130     21.7     22.0     53.0
                               20       110     18.3     18.6     71.6
                               21        88     14.7     14.9     86.5
                               22        36      6.0      6.1     92.6
                               23        13      2.2      2.2     94.8
                               24         4       .7       .7     95.4
                               25         4       .7       .7     96.1
                               26         3       .5       .5     96.6
                               27         4       .7       .7     97.3
                               28         3       .5       .5     97.8
                               30         3       .5       .5     98.3
                               31         3       .5       .5     98.8
                               33         1       .2       .2     99.0
                               34         3       .5       .5     99.5
                               35         1       .2       .2     99.7
                               40         1       .2       .2     99.8
                               49         1       .2       .2    100.0
                                0         4       .7   Missing
                               99         4       .7   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     592      Missing cases      8


Where do you live?

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Fraternity or Sorority          1         9      1.5      1.5      1.5
Off campus                      2       162     27.0     27.2     28.7
Northeast                       3        51      8.5      8.6     37.3
Sylvan                          4        45      7.5      7.6     44.9
Orchard Hill                    5        52      8.7      8.7     53.6
Central                         6        75     12.5     12.6     66.2
Southwest                       7       196     32.7     32.9     99.2
Family housing                  8         5       .8       .8    100.0
                                .         4       .7   Missing
dk/refused                      9         1       .2   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     595      Missing cases      5


Which of the following best describes your race or ethnicity? 

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Biracial, or Multi-racial       1         7      1.2      1.2      1.2
African-American, or Black      2        21      3.5      3.5      4.7
Asian-Amer., or Pacific Isl.    3        36      6.0      6.1     10.8
Cape Verdean                    4         2       .3       .3     11.1
Latino, Hispanic, or Chicano    5        19      3.2      3.2     14.3
Native American, or North
  or South Amer. Indian or
  Alaskan                       6         4       .7       .7     15.0
White, or Caucasian             7       493     82.2     83.1     98.1
Other                           8        11      1.8      1.9    100.0
                                .         4       .7   Missing
dk/refused                      9         3       .5   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     593      Missing cases      7


Thank you for participating in tonight's survey.  Copies of the results 
will beavailable at SARIS, 229 Whitmore, within the next few weeks.


Interviewer:  Is the respondent - 

                                                        Valid     Cum
Value Label                 Value  Frequency  Percent  Percent  Percent

Female                          1       299     49.8     50.2     50.2
male                            2       297     49.5     49.8    100.0
                                .         4       .7   Missing
                                     -------  -------  -------
                            Total       600    100.0    100.0

Valid cases     596      Missing cases      4