2013 SOS Executive Summary

2013 SOS Executive Summary

In Spring 2013 CCC participated in the State University of New York (SUNY) administration of the ACT Student Opinion Survey (SOS) for the fifth time (also in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010). This broad-based survey of student perception of programs, services, facilities and campus atmosphere is an important tool for receiving feedback from a large segment of the student population and benchmarking to other SUNY community colleges.Nearly all responses were positive on the five-point Likert-scale (scoring above a 3.0 or neutral rating).

Four hundred and twenty three (423) valid survey responses were tallied to compile these results from a course sampling of more than eight hundred (800) enrolled students. Attrition included students who opted not to participate in the survey, were not in attendance on the day of administration, were not eighteen years of age, or had already taken the survey in another class.

CCC student responses are benchmarked to all participating SUNY community colleges as follows:

- 75% of the nineteen questions in the area of College Programs and Experiences ranked in the middle or top one-third of responses

The areas which ranked comparatively in the higher one-third include:

· Availability of instructors

· Availability of courses- timing

· Availability of courses required for graduation

· Availability of internships/field work/clinical

· Availability of honors opportunities

· College website ease of use

· College website information accuracy

· New student orientation

The areas which ranked comparatively in the lower one-third include:

· Recreation/intramural programs

· College social programs

· Guest speakers

· Opportunities for community service

· Student input in College policies/plans

- 53% of the seventeen questions in the area of Academic and Life Skill Outcomes ranked in the middle or top one-third of responses

The areas which ranked comparatively in the higher one-third include:

· Acquiring scientific and mathematical thinking skills

· Acquiring knowledge and skills needed for a career

· Acquiring knowledge and skills for a lifetime of intellectual growth

The areas which rankede comparatively in the lower one-third include:

· Writing clearly and effectively

· Speaking clearly and effectively

· Understanding personal ethics and values

· Understanding and appreciating ethnic/cultural diversity

· Understanding political and social issues

· Developing an openness of opinion of others

· Appreciating artistic expression

· Understanding rights and responsibilities as a global citizen

- 38% of the twenty-nine questions in the area of College Services and Facilities ranked in the middle or top one-third of responses

The areas which ranked comparatively in the higher one-third include:

· Availability of academic advisor

· Information provided by academic advisor

· Financial aid services

· College bookstore

· Transfer planning services

The areas which ranked comparatively in the lower one-third include:

· Classrooms

· Library resources/services

· Library facilities

· Study areas

· Peer tutoring services

· Learning center facilities

· Fine and performing arts studio

· Computer availability

· Computer support services

· Job search assistance

· Internet services

· Availability of online services

· Athletic facilities

· Campus center/student union

· Course registration process

· General condition of building and grounds

· Student health services

· Parking facilities