Executive Summary: Eighty-two percent of the students surveyed said they feel the security in their residence hall is somewhat or very effective. Almost three quarters of the students said that having their residence halls locked 24 hours a day is somewhat or very unimportant. Thirty percent of the students said they have met with a residence hall staff member regarding a residence hall policy which they violated. Seventy-seven percent of the students believe that residence hall policies are enforced at least somewhat consistently. Over ninety-percent of the students agree that the bathroom on their floor is cleaned regularly, and the hallways on their floors are usually clean. Almost ninety-percent agree that the night security workers consistently enforce limited-access policies. Eighty-five percent of the students are satisfied with the current mail service system.
On Wednesday, February 12, 1997, Project Pulse conducted a housing satisfaction survey for the University of Massachusetts Housing Services. Questions were asked on a variety of housing issues such as security, programs, housing staff, housing publications, housing maintenance and cleanliness, and mail service. Project Pulse interviewers attempted to contact 1140 students living on-campus who had been selected randomly by computer from the University's student database. Pulse interviewers successfully contacted 505 of these students and 457 (90%) agreed to participate in the survey. The response rate for the survey was 41%. Tables 1 shows the final disposition of the calling list and Table 2 shows selected demographics of the respondents.
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Table 1: Final Disposition
of the Calling List
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|
|
N
|
% of Total
|
% of Contacted
|
| In & cooperated |
457
|
40.1
|
90.5
|
| Contacted, but refused |
48
|
4.2
|
9.5
|
| Not contacted |
597
|
52.3
|
|
| Unobtainable phone no. |
22
|
1.9
|
|
| Ineligible |
16
|
1.4
|
|
| Totals |
1,140
|
100.0
|
100.0
|
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Table 2: Respondents'
Demographics
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|
|
|
%
|
| First-year student |
44.6
|
| Sophomore |
34.9
|
| Junior |
13.9
|
| Senior |
6.6
|
| Northeast |
9.3
|
| Sylvan |
9.5
|
| Orchard Hill |
12.7
|
| Central |
27.6
|
| Southwest |
40.8
|
|
Semesters in UMass Residence
Halls
|
|
| 1 Semester |
13.5
|
| 2 Semesters |
41.1
|
| 3 Semesters |
9.7
|
| 4 Semesters |
23.2
|
| 5 Semesters |
3.9
|
| 6 Semesters |
4.6
|
| 7 Semesters |
1.4
|
| 8 Semesters |
2.2
|
| more than 8 semesters |
0.4
|
|
Average age = 19.5 years
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First, students were asked about their satisfaction with the security in their residence halls. Eighty- two percent (n=337) reported that the security system in their residence hall is either very or somewhat effective (see Figure 1). Figure 2 displays the responses to the question, "How important is it for the residence halls to be locked for twenty-four hours rather than just at night and on weekends? Additionally, almost ninety-percent (87.2%, n=355) agreed either somewhat or strongly with the statement, "The night security workers consistently enforce limited access policies."
The next battery of questions focused on residence hall programs. Students reported attending an average of two programs or activities in their residence halls this year. Nearly two-fifths reported having attended no programs. The most likely way students find out about programs or activities in their residence halls is through fliers or other printed media (59%, n=237). Over three-quarters (n=306) agree (either 'strongly' or 'somewhat') that they have an opportunity to give their opinion on the programs and activities planned on their floors.
Over fifty-percent (52.7%, n=216) of the students said they would go to the Housing Assignment Office in Whitmore if they had a problem with their housing assignment, thirty-two percent (n=130) said they would first go to a residence life staff member, and sixteen-percent (n=64) said they would go to some 'other' place. Forty-four percent (n=183) of the students reported having housing problems that they reported to the Housing Assignments office. Figure 3 shows how effective these students feel the Housing Assignment office staff have been in responding to their problems. Thirty-nine percent (n=160) of the students reported having housing problems that they reported to the Residence Life Staff. Figure 4 shows these students' satisfaction with the help they received from the Residence Life Staff when they reported problems.
The next three questions asked students to rate the helpfulness of three manuals that students are supposed to receive when they move into University housing. At least seventy-five percent of the students reported that the Residence Hall Manual, Tau Guide, and Telephone User's Guide are very or somewhat helpful.
Next, students were asked to express their opinions about various aspects of life in the residence halls. Three questions were asked about the mail service in the residence halls. Thirty-percent (n=115) of the respondents agreed strongly with the statement, "you know who to contact when there is a problem with your mail." However, thirty-percent (n=114) strongly disagreed with this statement. Figure 5 shows the responses to the statement, "Mail service problems you experience are responded to in an appropriate manner." Students also were asked to agree or disagree with the statement, "You are satisfied with the mail service system currently employed." Eighty-five percent (n=350) agreed somewhat or strongly with this statement (see Figure 6).
In response to the statement, "Your responsibilities as a floor member were clearly outlined at the beginning of the semester," sixty-five percent (n=262) said they 'strongly agreed', one quarter (n=99) agreed 'somewhat', eight percent (n=32) disagreed 'somewhat', and three-percent (n=13) disagree 'strongly'.
The next set of questions asked about students knowledge of and experiences with House Councils, residence directors (RD's), assistant residence directors (ARD's), and resident assistants (RA's). Figure 7 shows the responses to the question, "How well does the House Council government represent your needs and interests?" When asked how often they speak with their RA, three-quarters (n=309) of the students said at least once a week. When asked if they know who their RD is, three-quarters (n=307) of the students said "yes." In contrast, only forty-five percent (n=185) said they know who their ARD is.
Thirty-percent reported having met with a residence hall staff member, (for example, an area director, RD, or ARD), regarding a residence hall policy which they violated.
Students also were asked a series of questions about residence hall maintenance and cleanliness. The vast majority (over 90%) of the students agree strongly or agree somewhat with the following four statements, "Your room was clean when you moved in," "The bathroom on your floor is cleaned regularly," "The hallways on your floor are usually clean," "The lobby and other public areas in your residence hall are usually clean" (see Figure 8).
Seventy-two percent (n=291) agree at least somewhat with the query, "you know who to contact when you have a maintenance problem." Additionally, three-quarters (n=195) of the students surveyed said they agree either strongly or somewhat with the statement, "Maintenance problems in your residence hall that you report are repaired in a timely manner."
Finally, students were asked about how consistently they believe residence hall policies are enforced on their floor. Over three-quarters (77.8%, n=315) of the students feel that policies are enforced either somewhat or very consistently.