University-Wide Issues

Alumni Survey 2003 (1994 graduates)[1]

University-wide Issues

What follows are direct comments students’ made in answer to the following questions: What had the most positive impact on you during your time at Eastern? And, What had the most negative impact on you during your time at Eastern?

Facilities/Services/Community

Positive Impact

Campus experience (688)
Eastern is a wonderful college. My experience there was a positive one. (114)
The overall experience. (271)
My college experience was excellent overall. (495)

Negative Impact

Parking! (26)
The parking. (234)
Honestly- trying to find a place to park reasonably close to my classes while commuting my first year. (252)
Not enough parking for commuters. (268)
Dealing with parking- this is all I could think of! (408)
Having to commute and deal with the hassle of finding a parking spot. (531)
Parking (590)
Parking--no place to park. Campus offices are too spread out. Takes up way too much time to go from one office to another. You should only have to go to one place to take care of everything. Ex. records, collections, graduate office, student services. (593)
The limited social graces of local police put a very dim light on my immediate post graduate plans. The campus is no longer socially invitable. Academics are excellent--local authorities are not! (19)
Being wrongly accused of something by campus police before a through investigation was conducted. (37)
Aggressive attitude of one particular campus police officer in his interactions with students. I witnessed on several occasions and was once personally a victim. (307)
I was a transfer student and that situation was difficult. However, there was obviously another school involved so I am not sure there is a lot to be done. (55)
Having to pay to fax out transcripts then after getting a job not getting reimbursed for the remaining balance. (271)
Charleston (101)
Charleston could use more services (restaurants, shopping) (119)
Dan Cougill’s Presidency (187)
“Small World” atmosphere. Charleston and EIU do not make me think globally. (236)
The small-minded, conservativeness of the local Charleston, IL community. (244)
The way many local Charleston residents treat EIU students. (409)
Just a cornfield campus. Not a big city exposure. (495)
Losing valuable paperwork in the campus mail system. (231)
Lack of involvement by University to “draw” students in- make them feel welcome--connect them with peers, etc. Many students came from rural areas by themselves needed support. (349)
Bureaucracy (398)
Any time I felt as if I had a legitimate grievance or complaint, school administration seemed (not within any Department, but ex Vice-President of Student Affairs or Deans office) unwilling to listen. In essence, their overall disinterested attitude I’m sure frustrated others beside myself. For instance, I had to have English/Lit to graduate. Yet, because I had taken (and “aced”) a higher level course, I did not receive any credit. How ???? does it seem that one must take a course, yet receive no credit? By the way V.P.’s office- I “aced” that one too! Pol Sci and Philosophy Departments were great. E.I.U. Dean V.P.S.A.= “Fuzzylanders.” (470)
At the time, the orientation program for transfer students was terrible. We were basically stranded and left to fend for ourselves. I truly hope things have gotten better for transfer students. (417)
I was a non-traditional student and a commuter. The driving back and forth was monotonous and the parking available was even worse. I felt that the University did not help non-traditional commuters enough. (462)
How the university catered to all the athletes and neglected the non-athletes. (480)
Probably the Health Service would be my most negative experience. I came down with a nasty case of mono and ended up in the hospital, missing two weeks of classes. The Health Service totally misdiagnosed me, and this wasn’t the only time. Other than that, I really can’t think of anything negative. (521)
The stacks at Booth! (204)
The library--needed modern technology (552)
Limited resources in the library. (639)
And, facilities in many building were outdated. (565)
Campus police & some faculty/ staff/ medical treat students like they are all one group of bad people. They do not treat students as individual with validity. (600)
Some of the rules and policies of the administration were rather rigid, inflexible, and did not make a whole lot of sense. (616.)
Really no negative impact. Except, when a student is ready to graduate, and they think everything is in order. They get a regret notice that they will not be graduation. This happened to me personally, and has happened to others, I have known. (626)
The police department. (627)
Director of international students program at that time (Chen). (688)
Getting through “The System.” (182)
The paper trail. (189)

Staff

Positive Impact

Roy Lanham & Father Bob at Newman and some Psychologist at the HealthCenter (8)
The availability of the staff itself, thanks. (55)
The people (staff)–personal attention. (63)
The staff was always very warm and caring in the Elementary Ed. Department. (143)
My fraternity experience and the helpful staff at all levels. (187)
I worked in the Dean’s office for Dan Crews and the Union for Ted Hunt, and these were also great experiences that stick with me. (204)
The other positive impact was my student job at Academic Assistance and my supervisor—Wendy Long. (252)
Friendliness of staff. (288)
Student housing staff. (295)
Excellent accessible staff. (317)
Cooperation and guidance provided by professional staff. Friendly and helpful supportive staff. (413)
Department of Special Education Staff. (441)
The library was very user friendly and the people were helpful. Lumpkin Hall was a beautiful facility. (459)
The placement office was also very helpful. (513)
Working as a building supervisor at MLK Union and interacting with the great staff. (573)
Staff. (575)
The employees. (647)

Diversity

Positive Impact

I enjoyed the time at Eastern because it gave me a chance to interact with many different races and I really enjoyed it. (57)
I had the chance to meet people of different races and nationalities. (145)
The experience of meeting people with different backgrounds. (193)
The diversity--meeting and interacting with different types of people. (207)
Develop relationships with people of diverse backgrounds. (226)
Having the opportunity to interact with people from all types of backgrounds whether in on-campus activities or in my classes. Eastern has a diverse campus which is very much a positive aspect of the college experience. (229)
Diversity of students. (240)
Meeting a diverse group of people who have a great impact on your life as an individual. My whole educational experience has provided tremendous value in my work place. (259)
Exposure to such a variety of race, culture, philosophies. The chance to be around many different people rather than “home town” friends. (477)
Meeting others from different areas of the state/country/world. (547)

Negative Impact

My last year—there were too many negative feeling toward different cultures. (22)
At times there was racial tension that scared me because I had never experienced it so “close to home” before. (that was also a good experience in the sense of growing up.) (67)
The most negative impact was racism or ignorance towards other cultures. This was not a major, major problem—but it still was present on campus, and in the Charleston community. (115)
The thing that negatively impacted me was the racial tension and slurs that I encountered throughout the years. The division between races was unbelievable and the closed minds of some of the “townies” was threatening at times. (144)
The lack of diversity on campus. (152)
The year of 1977 was my first year. This time at EIU was difficult for people of color. We were not understood or accepted very well on campus or in the community, I felt as if I was in a foreign country. (266)
I was offended by the black student Union that was started while I was a student. There was no white student Union. I felt the campus was very racially divided. (284)
There was a specific instance that I was questioned about my religion. Since I stood up for what I believed in (which was Jesus Christ) I was criticized. (445)
Slight racism problems in my dorm. (469)
Interactions with teachers and students of various ages, racial and demographic backgrounds. It helped me to learn about others in the current workforce. (498)
Problems with attitude toward War-Veterans, Political Left Wing attitude make being a Patriot/Veteran a trying experience. Being called a “Fucking Nazi” more than once on campus. (528)
Gay Pride weeks. (552)
The small percentage of minority students and diversity on campus coming from the Chicago area. I was used to going to school with a diverse student body. EIU was a culture shock because of it’s lack of a lot of diversity. (568)
I was a nontraditional student (Late 20’s & married) and the most negative aspect of Eastern was the lack of diversity in the student population. While I did not attend Eastern for social reasons. I feel that activities completely ignored the older students. It would have been nice if there were a special lounge where older students could have gathered to meet and socialize. (570)
As a conservative Christian, I often did not appreciate the liberal views of peers and some professors. I often felt as though the liberal view of things was all that was taught. (615)
The manner in which people treated themselves and others had a negative impact on me. I was disappointed in the students on campus who participated in hazing, racism and other forms of abuse. I’m glad there were adults who cared about me on EIU campus. (620)

Personal Growth/Issues

Positive Impact

Honored with BOG “Director’s Award” 1995 when a F1 student out of high school. (281)
I became more outgoing, and I worked with others better. (9)
The most positive impact was the desire to continue with further educating myself. (17)
Writing and discussion of subjects dealing with me, and also my employment, family matters, and personality effect; improving my understanding and interaction with co-workers and foreign visitors I hosted. (35)
EIU was a great place to start a new outlook on the world. Dr. Craig Eckert was the best teacher I ever had. His teachings still stick with me to this day. (36)
Prepared me for employment after my Military career. (53)
organizational and time management skills, learning to work under pressure. (58)
My personal growth and development was key to a good experience. (67)
My time spent at Eastern was a complete learning experience. While painful at times, I truly learned perseverance and independence, which serve me well in life and in my career. Being dismissed for a semester was probably the most valuable lesson I encountered, forcing me to quit skating by and “grow up”. (89)
Realizing that I had the ability to take my education to higher levels was the most positive experience I had while at Eastern. (94)
Learning how to study and learn effectively. (103)
The real world experience I received while managing Coach Eddy’s Sport Shoppe. (105)
Work experience outside of the school atmosphere, but related to my field of study was the most helpful. (122)
The most positive impact was the independence I had while attending. Being “more on my own” and away from family really strengthened me. (128)
Living on my own and learning the responsibilities that go with it. (137.
The thing that most impacted me during my time at Eastern was finding God, getting saved and attending Church. I enjoyed being in the choir & attending Church weekly and that is what helped me stay positive and endure obstacles at Eastern. (144)
The whole experience was enjoyable. My experience at EIU has helped me to be the person I am today. (163)
I became more independent, partially due to EIU studies and activities, I learned to balance out all aspects of my life. (211)
Also, the independence I gained living away from home was important as well. (225)
Learning to live on your own and meeting all different types of people. (249)
Going to a school away from home. (254)
Balancing a job at Jerry’s, and school. (261)
The fact that it was close to my home and I could commute, thus saving money and still receiving a bachelor degree. (308)
Being able to grow up and learn what type of person I can. (319)
Life experience. (322.)
learned responsibility. (326.)
Just being on my own and learning about life. (379)
Learning independence- it was my first time living away from my parents. (385)
Being able to complete my degree while working full time as a nursing home administrator. I am now retired and work as an instructor part time in a student nurse aide program. (407)
Being on my own to deal with things for the first time. (418)
Making Deans List last semester of my senior year. (420)
Becoming independent, experience of going. (422)
The combination of the academic program and activities I was involved in on campus helped me to become a more well-rounded individual. I feel I am an effective time and project manager because of this. (429)
I believe reading books and hearing lectures on positive thinking and solving problems in life and school. I believe being around younger students help to motivate me. (433)
Learning to be independent (473)
If you want to be self-employed EIU is the place to go. (481)
Learning to live independent of family. (488)
Being on my own. The situation made me independent. (500)
I loved the whole college experience. I feel as though the Eastern campus was a perfect fit for me. I loved the independence that campus life allowed. (542)
The opportunity to live independent of my family, growing, maturing, and learning to be responsible for my own actions. (555)
Learning self-reliance, being away from home for the very first time. (560)
Working on campus/off-campus. (608.)
Going to college helped me become independent & disciplined with regards to finances, studying etc. (629)
Learning to be accountable. Being responsible to go to class and do work without parents being present. (635)
The feelings of being independent and security together- that, I believe is the advantage of going to a small state school. (636)
That I achieved my personal goal of graduating from EIU with a degree in PE, with Athletic Training, and teaching 6-12. (654)
The time to grow and mature in a relatively safe environment. (667)
Living on my own to become more independent. (699)
My degree is a very special accomplishment in my personal life. (171)

Negative Impact

I do wish I had finished my Master’s Degree right away. Its difficult now with work, Church, community, and family to juggle. (58)
Being away from my family during some difficult times was the most negative experience I had while at Eastern. (94)
I really wanted to come back as a grad assistant, but I was not chosen. (113)
Commuting to finish degree. (148)
Not having a car. (169)
Held down full time job- kids and husband & college—too much stress. (188)
Keeping my grades up. (254)
Being sued as a result of serving as the graduate student rep on the search committee for the dean of the College of Education. (286)
The most negative experience was a friend who was raped by a football player’s brother. The intruder 1st tried to attack another friend before the rape. I’d say I felt pretty safe on campus and leaving doors and windows unlocked until that happened. I’m a much more cautious person now but not as trustworthy. I didn’t get the picture of how dangerous as college campus could be. (369)
Probably the overall personal difficulty being an adult student, especially with on-campus classes. It was somewhat uncomfortable. (395)
The only negative item is that I did not have the time to major in everything Eastern had to offer. (428)
Not having my own computer. (534)
Driving to satellite sites during bad weather. (559)
Being away from family & friends. (584)
A poor first-year academically forced me to take longer to complete my degree. (589)
A family health issue that impacted my ability to show up and participate in my own life in significant ways. (667)
Driving and away from my children. (694)

Nothing Negative

None/nothing (1, 205, 240, 246, 255, 256, 258, 259, 261, 277, 294, 301, 302, 311, 316, 317, 318, 319, 322, 327, 333, 352, 354, 373, 382, 388, 389, 397, 401, 418, 419, 424, 431, 448, 464, 483, 491, 492, 493, 494, 503, 509, 525, 527, 532, 538, 539, 543, 548, 555, 560, 567, 574, 581, 582, 597, 598, 617, 625, 629, 632, 643, 646, 648, 650, 659, 669, 670, 687)
I can’t think of anything particularly negative. Maybe enough time has elapsed that any bad aspects have faded away from my memory. (2)
My years at EIU were positive!! Thanks for the 4 memorable years! (21)
I really can’t say anything negative about EIU. (32)
I did not really have any negative situations at EIU. (57)
I can’t think of anything! I wish I had stayed longer! I love EIU and miss being on campus a lot! (141)
I had a very positive experience. I would say the best years of my life. (170)
I had no negative issues. I received wonderful instruction, and the weekend classes were a true blessing for my work schedule. I was 32 when I graduated. (171)
I personally didn’t have any negative moments while attending Eastern. (184)
Nothing negative about my experience at Eastern. (207)
I can’t think of anything that left me with a memorable negative impact. (233)
I don’t have a negative experience. (247)
College is what you make it, anyone that was impacted in a negative way would have to look at themselves. You get back what you put in. (273)
None. I love EIU! (281)
I enjoyed Eastern thoroughly! (291)
I would sun up my overall experience at Eastern as a very positive one. (329)
The two years I spent at EIU were very valuable to me. It was wondergul and very positive experience. (410)
I don’t not have negative feelings in regard to EIU and/or my experiences aas a student at said institution. (413)
Nothing was negative. Very pleased. (439)
I can’t think of anything that impacted me negatively during my time at EIU. (440)
Nothing, the school had no impact on my life. (471)
I really didn’t have any negative issues while at EIU! (472)
None—I felt EIU offered a wide variety of educational programs, activies, and social programs to keep you occupied. Would have liked to seen a better basketball team when I was there. Baseball program is on the rise. (526)
Actually my experience there was a good one! Thanks. (534)
Nothing, really. I loved it! (592)
I’m not a very negative person, so I really can’t think of any negative experiences! All experiences are learning experiences, therefore, none should be negative! (603)
That I started there as a junior transfer and didn’t get to spend 2 more years there. (654)

Prepared by the Center for Academic Support and Achievement, p. 1

[1] The numbers in parentheses following the comments are reference numbers to alumni identification data. More information about the alumni who made the comments is available.