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SARIS - Student Affairs Research, Information and Systems
Housing Services Survey (S00-A)
Housing Services Survey (S00-A) Executive Summary: Whereas thirteen percent of the students surveyed rated the security system in their residence hall "very effective," an additional 54.9% rated it "somewhat effective." Vast majorities of students agreed that their room was clean when they moved in, that their bathroom is cleaned regularly, that the hallways on their floor are usually clean, and that the lobby and public areas are usually clean. Approximately three-quarters expressed satisfaction with the mail service currently employed. Approximately one-quarter believe that residence hall policies are enforced "very consistently" on their floor, whereas half believe policies are enforced "somewhat cosistently." Eighty-four percent reported satisfaction with the way in which alcohol and drug policy violations are addressed in their residence hall. Approximately three-quarters reported that their UMass residence hall experience has been helpful in their education on issues of diversity. Approximately three-quarters reported awareness of special housing options and special interest residential programs.
On Tuesday, February 8, 2000, Project Pulse conducted a survey for Housing Services to assess the quality of life in the residence halls. Interviewers attempted to contact 987 undergraduates who had been randomly selected by computer from the entire on-campus population in the University's database. Interviewers successfully contacted 644 of these students, and 457 (71.0%) agreed to be interviewed. The response rate for the survey was 46.3%, and sampling error is plus or minus approximately five percentage points. The final disposition of the sample is presented in Table 1. A demographic profile of respondents is presented in Table 2.
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Table 1. Final Disposition
of the Sample.
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N
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% of Total
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% of Contacted
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| Response rate (In & cooperated |
457
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46.3
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71.0
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| In, declined interview |
187
|
18.9
|
29.0
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| Not in |
343
|
34.8
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| Totals |
*987
|
100.0
|
100.0
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* Excludes 19 sampled students
with unobtainable phone numbers.
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Table 2. Demographic
Summary of the Respondents
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|
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%
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| First-year |
45.0
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| Sophomore |
34.3
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| Junior |
13.3
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| Senior |
7.5
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| Female |
52.6
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| Male |
47.4
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| Average age = 19.9 years | |
First, students were asked if they had lived in
a university residence during the previous semester, and if they had served
as a resident assistant (RA) this year. The 24 students who had not lived in
a residence hall in the fall and the 14 who had served as residence assistants
(RAs) were thanked and asked no further questions. The remaining 432 students
reported having lived in UMass residence halls for 2.3 semesters on average.
SECURITY
Students were asked to rate the effectiveness of the security system in their residence hall. Thirteen percent (n=57) rated their system "very effective," and 54.9% (n=234) rated their system "somewhat effective." Men were significantly more likely than women to rate their security system as "very effective" (see Figure 1). Approximately one-third of respondents (35.9%, n=154) agreed "strongly" with the statement "night security workers consistently enforce hall access and guest sign-in policies," whereas 33.6% (n=144) agreed "somewhat." There was no difference between men's and women's responses to this question.
Figure 1. Security system effectiveness ratings by sex
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Students were questioned about the condition of various residence hall facilities (e.g. lobbies, study spaces, bathrooms), and about technology and maintenance services. Responses to these items are presented in Figure 2.
Fifty-three percent (n=227) of respondents reported having had no problems with their mail service. Of those who had experienced problems, 69.5% (n=141) agreed either strongly or somewhat that their problems are "responded to in an appropriate manner." Figure 3 illustrates student satisfaction with the mail system currently employed.
Figure 2. Perceptions of residence hall facilities and services
Figure 3. Perceptions of Mail Services
PROBLEMS
Students were asked whom they would be most likely to contact about an unresolved roommate conflict, and a room or building change. Figure 4 illustrates students' responses to these two questions.
Students were asked about the effectiveness of housing staff in responding to requests and problems. The vast majority of students (94.2%, n=404) agreed either strongly or somewhat that "cluster office staff members respond effectively" when their assistance is required with key checkouts, maintenance requests, etc. Fifty-two percent (n=225) of the students said that they had not reported any problems to the Housing Assignments Office. Of those who had reported problems, 81.3% (n=165) agreed either strongly or somewhat that the office had "effectively resolved" the problems. Men were significantly more likely than women to agree "strongly" (52.5% v. 46.6%) or "somewhat" (38.4% v. 25.2%) that the Housing Assignment Office staff had resolved their problems effectively (c2=12.89, p=.005). Forty-two percent of the students said that they had not reported any housing assignment problems to Residence Life or Cluster Office staff. Of those who had reported problems, 86% (n=156) reported that Residence Life or Cluster Office staff had effectively responded to their problems.
LIVE-IN STAFF Another battery of questions explored how well-acquainted students are with their live-in Residence Life staff. Three-quarters of students (73.8%, n=315) reported that they know who their Residence Director (RD) is and 45.4% (n=193) said they know who their Assistant Residence Director (ARD) is. Half the respondents (52.2%, n=224) reported that they have a conversation with their RA at least 2-4 times per week (see Figure 6.)
Figure 6. How often do you have a conversation with your RA?
RESIDENCE HALL POLICIES
Approximately one-quarter of respondents (26.9%, n=115) believe that residence hall policies are enforced "very consistently" on their floor, whereas half (53.0%, n=227) believe policies are enforced "somewhat consistently." Approximately equal proportions of respondents reported being "very" or "somewhat" satisfied with the way in which alcohol and drug policy violations are addressed in their residence hall (43.9% and 40.8% respectively).
PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITIES
Students were questioned about the programming and activities in the residence hall. Respondents reported having attended an average of 1.95 programs or activities in their residence hall this year, with one-third of students (34.2%, n=147) having attended no events and another third (31.4%, n=135) having attended only one or two. Less than 5% of the respondents reported having attended more than five events. Over 80% (n=340) agreed that they have the opportunity to give their opinions on floor programs and activities.
Most students reported that they find out about residence hall programs and activities either from fliers and print media (48.5%, n=208) or from their RA (44.5%, n=191). Asked about the frequency with which their RA presents social programming (such as movie nights or pizza parties) and educational programming (such as study skills workshops or safer sex programs), students reported more frequent social programs than educational programs (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Frequency of RA-planned social and educational programming
DIVERSITY ISSUES
Most students agreed either "strongly" (40.5%, n=166) or "somewhat" (41.0%, n=168) with the statement "your residence life staff members make diversity issues a priority in their work." Approximately three-quarters (77.3%) reported that their UMass residence hall experience has been "very" or "somewhat" helpful in their education on issues of diversity (see Figure 8).
Asked how well the House Council government represents their needs, 21.8% of students (n=44) said "very well" and 48.5% (n=98) said "somewhat well."
MISCELLANEOUS
Students were asked about their use of the Housing Services web site. About one-quarter of the respondents (23.7%, n=101) reported having used the web site before starting school in the fall, and 14.0% (n=60) said they currently use the site to obtain housing information. Respondents were asked to indicate their awareness of "special housing options or special interest residential programs, such as the 24 hour quiet floors, the NUANCE program, etc." Most students (77.7%, n=334) reported awareness of these programs. Most students (90.7%, n=389) agreed that their responsibilities as floor members were clearly outlined at the beginning of the semester. Respondents were asked, "How comfortable or uncomfortable do you feel speaking with other residents on the floor when they infringe on your rights?" Nearly one-quarter (23.7%, n=102) of the students said they had never spoken to other residents about this issue. Of those who had, 50.2% (n=165) reported feeling "very comfortable" and 35.6% (n=117) said "somewhat comfortable." Seventy percent of students reported that House Council government represents their need either "very well" or "somewhat well."
-- Meg Kluge and Elizabeth Williams
