SF Camps-Wide Student Survey
A recent survey at Alliant reveals surprising results on student preferences.
By Yasmine (Yasi) Safinya-Davies, Summer 2009
In support of Alliant’s efforts toward multiculturalism and to improve campus communications, the SGA conducted a campus-wide student survey during the fall semester that asked questions like; “What multicultural communities would you like to see better represented?” “Do you use your Alliant e-mail? Why or why not?” As well as, “What is your preferred method of receiving campus information regarding events, policy changes, academic expectations, etc.?”
The paper-survey was conducted for more than one month by collecting responses during SGA sponsored events, in classrooms, and in designated drop locations around campus. We received a total of 206 surveys and found the following results:
- The three multicultural communities students would like to see better represented were ethnicity, gender, and social class.
- Sixty-nine percent of students used their Alliant e-mail. Some of the most commonly stated reasons were: That it is easy to forward to other e-mail addresses, for professional and academic correspondences, and to stay informed. Some of the reasons students reported not using their Alliant e-mail were due to: Irrelevant information, spam, and difficult remote access.
- The top three preferred methods for receiving campus information were: E-mail (37%), flyers on the walls (22%), and posters (11 %).
While the SGA recognizes that these results do not account for the opinions of each member of the student body, the responses led to two main outcomes. First, multicultural representatives will be assigned to one of the three identified communities. Their role will be to research and provide students with resources such as event information, policy and politics, professional assistance, advocacy, and additional courses. Secondly, the results will continue to create a more cohesive and informed Alliant community by using student-preferred modes of communication.