The College periodically surveys its students to gain a better understanding of the degree to which broad College objectives are being met. The results provide insight into strengths and challenges as identified by Pacific Oaks students. Below are highlights from our fall 2008 survey. Check back soon for 2011 survey results.
FALL 2008
In addition to regular student feedback through interactions with faculty and advisors and course evaluations completed at the end of each class, Pacific Oaks College periodically conducts student satisfaction surveys. Faculty and administrators at the College take the results of surveys seriously; results are used to guide modifications in programs and services and to strengthen the overall quality of the Pacific Oaks educational experience.
Noel Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey Fall 2008
This student satisfaction survey was chosen by Pacific Oaks because it focuses on adult students, the College's principal student type. It was administered to the entire student body in fall 2008.
Strengths and Challenges
|
Item - Strengths
|
Satisfaction
|
Importance
|
| The quality of instruction I receive in my program is excellent. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| Nearly all faculty are knowledgeable in their field. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| Financial aid staff respond to my needs in a timely manner. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| The content of the courses within my major is valuable. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| My academic advisor is knowledgeable about requirements in my major. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| My academic advisor is accessible by telephone and email. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| Faculty are fair and unbiased in their treatment of individual students. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| Classes are scheduled at times that are convenient for me. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| My academic advisor is concerned about my success as an individual. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
| Faculty care about me as an individual. |
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
One area that is very important to Pacific Oaks faculty is relationships with students. Our students rate their interactions with faculty and advisors in the Very Satisfied to Satisfied range.
|
Items - Challenges
|
Satisfaction
|
Importance
|
|
Financial aid staff are knowledgeable.
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
|
I seldom get the "runaround" when seeking information at this institution.
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
|
Registrar staff respond to my needs in a timely manner (Pacific Oaks specific).
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
|
The institution responds quickly to my requests for information.
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
|
Adequate financial aid is available for most adult students.
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
Quality of service to students is a high priority to Pacific Oaks College. It is clear from recent survey results that some areas require improvement in order to meet students' and our own expectations. Steps have been taken to strengthen staff in key offices and further efforts are under way to address areas of relative challenge identified in the survey.
Pacific Oaks Students vs. National Adult Students
How does the satisfaction of Pacific Oaks students compare with other adult college students nationally? Overall satisfaction of Pacific Oaks students is comparable to or better than adult students nationally:
|
Item
|
Pacific Oaks Students
|
National Adult Students
|
|
The quality of instruction I receive in my program is excellent.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Very Satisfied
|
|
The content of the courses within my major is valuable.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Very Satisfied
|
|
My academic advisor is knowledgeable about requirements in my major.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
|
Faculty provide timely feedback about my progress.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
|
Faculty are fair and unbiased in their treatment of individual students.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Very Satisfied
|
|
My academic advisor is concerned about my success as an individual.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
|
Faculty care about me as an individual.
|
Very Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
Where can Pacific Oaks College improve, as indicated by our students' satisfaction in comparison to adult students nationally?
|
Item - Challenges
|
Pacific Oaks Students
|
National Adult Students
|
|
Overall commitment to excellence
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
|
Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment.
|
Neutral
|
Satisfied
|
|
I seldom get the "runaround" when seeking information.
|
Neutral
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
|
The staff at this institution are caring and helpful.
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
Satisfied
|
|
Pacific Oaks responds quickly to my requests for information.
|
Neutral
|
Somewhat satisfied
|
Summary Items
|
Item
|
Satisfaction
|
Importance
|
|
Instructional Effectiveness
|
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
|
Academic Advising
|
Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
|
Admissions and Financial Aid
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
|
Registration Effectiveness
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
Very Important
|
|
Service Excellence
|
Neutral
|
Very Important
|
|
Academic Services
|
Somewhat Satisfied
|
Important
|
|
Safety and Security
|
Satisfied
|
Important
|
What We've Learned
Results from the 2008 Adult Student Priorities Survey reinforced things the College knows and is working on, improvement in services to students in particular. The results have also confirmed that the College's historic commitment to strong one-on-one student-faculty interaction as well an emphasis on quality instruction and advising remain among our institutional strengths.