An annual survey of Anderson University students shows that a significant majority of students once again rate their residential experience very highly.
More than 600 students participated in the 2009-2010 Residence Hall Quality of Life Survey, which was conducted online. Nearly half of the respondents were freshmen, while about 31 percent were sophomores, 17 percent juniors, and 6 percent seniors.
The survey, which consists of nearly 60 questions, measures the quality and effectiveness of all aspects of the residential experience at AU, including residence hall staff, policies, the condition of rooms and common areas, furnishings, safety, residence hall programming, small groups, and other topics.
[Photo: Martin Hall residents relax in their room.]
Over the years, students have rated the residence hall staff and the overall residential experience very highly.
“It has always been so encouraging that our staff has rated well, both RAs and particularly RDs,” said Dr. Brent Baker, vice president for student life and dean of students. “The general question that related to the resident’s overall experience was always positive. Before we had renovated the residence halls, this was particularly encouraging, as it spoke to the seeming fact that inadequate facilities were and could be overcome with good staff and a good program.”
In addition to the areas that have consistently rated highly, a few areas have seen marked improvement in recent years.
“With renovations of the halls, we have ranked higher the last couple of years in student satisfaction with furniture and their residence hall in general,” said Tim Johnson, associate dean of students for residence life and judicial affairs. “Also, satisfaction with Police/Security Services and Physical Plant and housekeeping has increased.”
The results of the survey confirm that “we are, at heart, a residential school,” said Baker. “Our best educating takes place in the contexts where our students live on campus and have access to experiences and relationships that balance and enhance the classroom learning experience.”
[Photo: Resident directors help ensure a positive residential experience for Anderson University students.]
In May the residence life staff met with Dr. Mike Wiese, professor of marketing in the Falls School of Business, where the survey results were used to help develop a vision and action plan to guide residence life in the coming years. The plan focuses on merging a strong student development knowledge base with student-centered relational ministry.
“We have a good residence life program, and we believe it can be great. In fact, we believe it can become a model program among Christian colleges,” said Johnson. “We believe that our relational ministry approach sets us apart. By enhancing that approach with best practices from the literature in student and human development, we hope to design and implement a program second to none.”
The residence life staff is currently developing priorities and steps of action that will guide the development of the vision, as well opportunities to assess whether its goals are being accomplished.
Selected Highlights from 2009-2010 Residence Hall Quality of Life Survey:
(Percentages represent those who agree or strongly agree with each statement.)
- 95% – RA is friendly/courteous
- 88% – RA treats individuals fairly
- 81% – RA is available when needed
- 89% – I am acquainted with my RD
- 93% – RD is friendly/courteous
- 73% – RD has made attempt to get to know me
- 76% – Satisfied with maintenance of hall
- 78% – Satisfied with cleanliness of hall
- 84% – Room furnishings satisfactory
- 76% – Feel safe walking from parking area to residence
- 95% – Feel safe/secure in residence hall
- 87% – Enjoy living in hall
- 84% – Residents are accepting of individual differences (race, physical ability, economic status)
- 90% – AU provides opportunity to grow in my faith
Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.
