Residence Life Survey searches for ways to improve
Survey shows quality living experience at Lakeland College
Ashley Paulson
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Student Life
The results are in for the Residential Satisfaction Survey conducted prior to winter break. According to Jim Bajczyk, director of residence life, there are areas to be proud of and areas that need improvement at Lakeland College.
The goal of the survey is to determine the satisfaction of Lakeland students. "We look at what issues are important to students and what kind of things we can do to increase the amount of folks retained at Lakeland," commented Bajczyk.
The Residential Satisfaction Survey went out to residence halls, as well as the suites and apartments. This year's survey had an 80 percent return rate with 458 students that responded. Nearly all aspects of the campus are covered in the survey.
Bajczyk was very happy with the results of this year's survey, especially regarding students view of their RAs. "The overall satisfaction went significantly higher than in past. It's probably because of the quality of the people in the positions. It could also be because of the training that's going on." RAs receive training in the fall before students arrive for the semester, as well as in the summer.
"Another thing we are quite satisfied with is the feeling of safety," Bajczyk said. The percentage of students who feel safe in their living areas has risen from 89 percent in 2005 to 96 percent this year. "In Krueger Hall, 100 percent of students said they felt safe," said Bajczyk of this year's results.
There are a few areas that Bajczyk would like to see an improvement on. He would like to see an increase in the percentage of students who feel that they have interacted with international students. He suggested the idea of offering more programs where students could learn more about international student's cultures.
One specific question on the survey, "I am satisfied with the quality of food offered in the dining center," has received relatively lower percentages of satisfied students since 2003. This year, only 62 percent of the students surveyed were satisfied. Bajczyk stated that through his work at other universities, this question always seems to have fewer satisfied students. "It's important to look at trends, and if [the number satisfied] keeps going down, then we need to do something about it."
Last school year, an interesting trend emerged from the survey. The survey featured a question regarding whether or not students were satisfied with laundry prices and services. "We found out that they really weren't satisfied, so that's why we put in free laundry this past year," said Bajczyk. This is one example of how the survey can improve student's satisfaction.
According to Bajczyk, Lakeland is always trying to increase the overall satisfaction of the campus. This year, 89 percent of students surveyed are satisfied with their on-campus living experience. Bajczyk explained that this isn't really an area of concern. He has previously done similar surveys at other universities. "If we had 65 percent satisfaction, we'd be doing cartwheels."
It's clear that Bajczyk is proud of the overall satisfaction at Lakeland College, but as he stressed, "What can we do to the other ten percent to increase the overall satisfaction?"
The goal of the survey is to determine the satisfaction of Lakeland students. "We look at what issues are important to students and what kind of things we can do to increase the amount of folks retained at Lakeland," commented Bajczyk.
The Residential Satisfaction Survey went out to residence halls, as well as the suites and apartments. This year's survey had an 80 percent return rate with 458 students that responded. Nearly all aspects of the campus are covered in the survey.
Bajczyk was very happy with the results of this year's survey, especially regarding students view of their RAs. "The overall satisfaction went significantly higher than in past. It's probably because of the quality of the people in the positions. It could also be because of the training that's going on." RAs receive training in the fall before students arrive for the semester, as well as in the summer.
"Another thing we are quite satisfied with is the feeling of safety," Bajczyk said. The percentage of students who feel safe in their living areas has risen from 89 percent in 2005 to 96 percent this year. "In Krueger Hall, 100 percent of students said they felt safe," said Bajczyk of this year's results.
There are a few areas that Bajczyk would like to see an improvement on. He would like to see an increase in the percentage of students who feel that they have interacted with international students. He suggested the idea of offering more programs where students could learn more about international student's cultures.
One specific question on the survey, "I am satisfied with the quality of food offered in the dining center," has received relatively lower percentages of satisfied students since 2003. This year, only 62 percent of the students surveyed were satisfied. Bajczyk stated that through his work at other universities, this question always seems to have fewer satisfied students. "It's important to look at trends, and if [the number satisfied] keeps going down, then we need to do something about it."
Last school year, an interesting trend emerged from the survey. The survey featured a question regarding whether or not students were satisfied with laundry prices and services. "We found out that they really weren't satisfied, so that's why we put in free laundry this past year," said Bajczyk. This is one example of how the survey can improve student's satisfaction.
According to Bajczyk, Lakeland is always trying to increase the overall satisfaction of the campus. This year, 89 percent of students surveyed are satisfied with their on-campus living experience. Bajczyk explained that this isn't really an area of concern. He has previously done similar surveys at other universities. "If we had 65 percent satisfaction, we'd be doing cartwheels."
It's clear that Bajczyk is proud of the overall satisfaction at Lakeland College, but as he stressed, "What can we do to the other ten percent to increase the overall satisfaction?"
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