UCLA seniors continue to report strong satisfaction with their academic experience and campus life and feel intellectually challenged by the curriculum and the faculty, according to the second annual senior survey.
Broader campus experiences also were ranked highly, including a wide range of experiences with students from diverse backgrounds.
"Students see a very competitive environment at UCLA, but at the same time they are both challenged and satisfied with their academic experience," Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Judith L. Smith said. "We are encouraged by the positive responses and believe that our graduating seniors are well prepared to pursue post-baccalaureate studies in a variety of areas."
Janina Montero, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said survey results also show that students embrace the diversity of their experiences on campus.
"I'm very pleased there was such a high level of satisfaction expressed overall about campus life," Montero said. "On the other hand, we learned more clearly there is not as much interaction between groups as we would hope. We want to enhance the sense of belonging, receptivity to hearing others, and the exchanging of different ideas and points of view. We also want all students to feel comfortable about expressing their views among their peers on campus."
The May 2006 survey of students in the College of Letters and Science, the largest academic unit in the University of California system, had responses from 3,800 seniors - more than 50 percent of the graduating class. Questions for the academics portion were the same as last year. Some of the questions for the student life and alumni areas were reworded from the previous year, so the information is new.
In the area of academics, survey results show more than two-thirds of the responding seniors had high satisfaction levels with intellectual challenges at the university.
The survey found:
. 92 percent reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the intellectual challenges of their majors.
. 84 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the intellectual challenges of their research opportunities.
. 82 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with being intellectually challenged by new ideas.
Students also thought highly of the curriculum in their majors and minors. Ninety percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the curriculum in their majors, and 88 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of faculty instruction in their majors. Among the respondents who pursued a minor as part of their academic study, 94 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the curriculum in their minors, and 82 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of teaching-assistant instruction in their majors.
Students believe there is intense competition for high grades among students in their majors - 67 percent said they agree or strongly agree about the high competition levels.
"I'm really pleased at the level of satisfaction and academic challenges that students find," Smith said. "While much of the feedback was positive, the students also have expressed concerns about gaining access to seminars. That is something we're concerned about, and we're working with the faculty to develop more seminars for undergraduates. We currently have seminars for freshmen, and we're working on adding a sophomore sequence. We hope to develop more opportunities for senior seminars in all majors."
Access to faculty also was commended by the overwhelming majority of respondents. The results show:
. 88 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with faculty accessibility in their academic major.
. 77 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with faculty advising in their academic major.
. 89 percent of those who pursued a minor were satisfied or very satisfied with faculty accessibility in their academic minor.
. 84 percent of those who pursued a minor were satisfied or very satisfied with faculty advising in their academic minor.
Students also provided feedback about their education plans after graduation. The vast majority indicated plans to pursue post-baccalaureate degrees - 53 percent said they plan to pursue a master's degree, 14 percent said they plan to seek a law degree, 14 percent said they plan to pursue a medical or health science professional degree and 12 percent expressed interest in a doctoral degree (students were allowed to select more than one category).
This was the second annual senior survey, which was a collaborative effort of the UCLA Division of Undergraduate Education, Student Affairs and the Alumni Association. Student feedback over a period of time will be helpful to the Academic Senate when it conducts periodic reviews of individual majors and minors in the College of Letters and Science.
Seniors generally expressed high levels of satisfaction with their campus life experiences and praised the campus environment.
. 79 percent agreed or strongly agreed that discussions of controversial subjects are generally respectful.
. 78 percent agreed or strongly agreed that UCLA has challenged them to think more broadly about social issues.
. 70 percent agreed or strongly agreed that a diverse student body provides a good learning environment.
. 62 percent agreed or strongly agreed that they can express their political opinions on campus.
In a related area, many of the respondents said they engaged in in-depth conversations with students from diverse backgrounds.
. 61 percent often or very often dined or shared a meal with a student or students from a different racial, ethnic or religious group.
. 51 percent either socialized or partied often or very often with a student or students from a different racial, ethnic or religious group.
. 45 percent shared personal feelings and problems often or very often with a student or students from a different racial, ethnic or religious group.
"These data, although good, show there is work to be done to enhance the quality of interaction among students," Montero said.
In assessing their overall campus experiences, 86 percent agreed or strongly agreed that UCLA has more to offer than most universities in the way of academic opportunities, 79 percent agreed or strongly agreed that UCLA's social opportunities are greater and 74 percent said the campus has more leadership opportunities to offer than most universities.
The vast majority of students praised the value of their education. Eighty-four percent agreed or strongly agreed that, given the cost, a UCLA education is an excellent value. Students also expressed beliefs about alumni contributions to the campus - 79 percent agreed or strongly agreed that financial contributions from alumni are important to maintaining UCLA's excellence, and 64 percent agreed or strongly agreed that they plan to support UCLA financially in the future.
Students also provided information about their plans for alumni involvement. Ninety-eight percent agreed or strongly agreed that they are proud to be UCLA graduates, 80 percent agreed or strongly agreed they want to be involved with UCLA as an alumnus and 61 percent agreed or strongly agreed they plan to keep in touch with some of their professors.
Marci Weisblatt, interim assistant vice chancellor of alumni relations and interim executive director of the UCLA Alumni Association, said it is heartening to see how many students want to remain connected to UCLA.
"I am thrilled at the number of students who want to remain involved with UCLA and continue to be engaged members of the Bruin family," Weisblatt said. "Their responses
show that they value their student experiences and the impact UCLA has had - and will have -on their lives. As alumni, they continue to be a vital part of the institution, and we look forward to finding ways to engage them in the life of the university."
The survey results can be found at http://www.college.ucla.edu/seniorsurvey.
California's largest university, UCLA enrolls approximately 38,000 students per year and offers degrees from the UCLA College of Letters and Science and 11 professional schools in dozens of varied disciplines. UCLA consistently ranks among the top five universities and colleges nationwide in total research-and-development spending, receiving more than $820 million a year in competitively awarded federal and state grants and contracts. For every $1 state taxpayers invest in UCLA, the university generates almost $9 in economic activity, resulting in an annual $6 billion economic impact on the Greater Los Angeles region. The university's health care network treats 450,000 patients per year. UCLA employs more than 27,000 faculty and staff, has more than 350,000 living alumni and has been home to five Nobel Prize recipients.
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