Dean Tuttle's Trinitoninan Columns

Dean's List

<< PREVIOUS | HOME

Mar. 23, 2007

NEXT >>

Survey responses illustrate student interests, diversity

A survey sent to first year students asked their opinion of the online Alcohol Wise course that they were required to take last summer. Among the responses to the one open-ended question ("Please give us any other feedback") was the simple and understated: "Sigh …"

That said it all. Witty, resigned to not being able to affect change in stopping the blight of this online course for future students or maybe even student drinking. Who knows?

In order to determine the effectiveness and outcomes of programs, departments and policies, the University likes to ask students their opinions. Other responses about Alcohol Wise: "I like the information that the course provided," "I think this course is very important," and "Underage drinking is LAME!!!" Indeed, of the 190 responses, more agreed than disagreed that the course should be repeated.

But then, there are other opinions. There always are. Some additional responses about the online course: "It was IDIOTIC." "It was ridiculous. We aren't in junior high anymore. It's college." "WASTE OF TIME." Give our students credit for being candid.

Responses to this year's Quality of Life Survey in Residential Life were even more brutal. "Being forced to live on campus has completely ruined my experience at Trinity." Ouch. "Stop covering up the residency requirement with a few lousy mission statements of the residential life staff. We all know its total bulls--- and the only reason sophomores and juniors live on campus is for the money."

Oh yeah? Try telling that to "I have an awesome time," or to "I really like my resident mentor, and the residential program at Trinity is great!" or to "I love the dorms."

The opinions of students, as with those of their folks on the ParentTalk listserv and of the faculty, are extremely diverse.

So we ask and learn and try to improve. On the low-end, we are phasing in different desk chairs. On the high-end, dissatisfaction with the upperclass experience has led to the Community Initiatives program and sophomore housing.

We also really try to enforce the alcohol and noise policies (for those who say we don't). We will continue to enforce the alcohol and noise policies (for those who say we are too strict).

Some things we can't control. A random prize drawing was offered to increase responses and people advocated for their worthiness: "Pick me to win," "I would like to win. I can buy pre-baked cookies from H-E-B for compensation." And we can't do anything for "I am not a fan of my roommate," or "Perhaps change your policy on pets because my roommate and I have a turtle in our room that we just discovered is not allowed."

A number of students in the Residential Life Survey questioned the three-year residency requirement, want single rooms the longer they are here, wish for less freezing rooms and lobby for more laundry facilities. These things catch our attention because they are commonly shared concerns.

This week, students received a survey from the Trinity Bookstore and another one today from Dining Services.

My colleagues in those areas know what they are in for - they have done this before. Responses will be informative, entertaining, flattering, frust-rating and brutal. Sigh …

HOME | TRINITY | TRINITONIAN