Learning Community Fall 2003 Evaluation
During the fall 2003 semester, 175 freshmen participated in a learning community at Western. To assess students’ learning community experiences for the fall semester, 152 freshmen (87 percent) completed an evaluation during the last week of English 101 classes in December. Of the responding freshmen, 61 percent were female and 39 percent male. Ninety-four percent completing the evaluation were white or Caucasian while 3 percent were African-American and 2 percent were Hispanic, Native Americans, or Asians.
Faculty
Eighty-two percent of the learning community freshmen reported that they got to know at least one faculty member well while 91 percent felt that faculty were important or very important to their learning community experience. Eighty percent reported that they met with a faculty member from their learning community at least once during the semester. In addition, 74 percent of freshmen felt that the first-year seminar course was an important component of their learning community experience while only 32 percent felt that the USI 130 course was important, and 88 percent felt that the English 101 or English 190 courses were important. Only 13 percent reported the Walking Across Egypt book as important to their learning community experience.
Residential Living
Sixty percent of freshmen felt that residential living staff were important in their learning community experience. Forty-two percent reported that they used the programs in the residence halls and of those who went to the programs, 82 percent rated them as good or excellent. When asked their preference for learning community housing, 40 percent of freshmen reported that learning communities should be housed in the same building between all building floors while 23 percent reported in the same building on the same floor, and 16 percent reported in the same building in the same suites on one wing.
Peer Mentors
Thirty-six percent of freshmen reported that they met with their peer mentor at least once during the semester and 29 percent reported that the peer mentor was important or very important in their learning community.
Academic Advising
Eighty-seven percent of freshmen reported that they met individually with an academic advisor from the Advising Center or major department while 79 percent reported that the academic advisor was important to the learning community experience.
Tutoring Resources and other Centers
Forty-two percent of the freshmen reported participating in a study group with other members of their learning community. Eighteen percent reported that they used the CATS Center and of those that used the center, 74 percent rated the center as good or excellent. Forty-seven percent reported using the Writing Center and of those, 87 percent rated the center as good or excellent. Only six percent reported using the Math Lab and 66 percent of those rated the lab as good or excellent. Twenty-three percent reported using the Student Technology Assistance Center and 74 percent of those rated the center as good or excellent. The majority, 81 percent, reported using the library with 94 percent rating the library as good or excellent.
Extra-Curricular Activities, Entertainment, and Food
Fifty-eight percent of the learning community students participated in a fun activity within their learning community and 90 percent rated the fun activity as good or excellent. Ninety-one percent got to know at least one new friend well in their learning community. Thirty percent participated in intramurals with 89 percent rating the activity as good or excellent. Forty-nine percent participated in LMP productions and activities while 83 percent rated the activities as good or excellent. Forty percent participated in a service-learning project while 80 percent of those rated service learning as a good or excellent experience.
Learning Community freshmen reported using the University Center food services (96 percent) and 73 percent of those rated the University Center food services as good or excellent. Ninety-nine percent used Dodson Cafeteria with 78 percent reporting Dodson Cafeteria as good or excellent. Eighty-six percent used Brown Cafeteria with 55 percent rating Brown Cafeteria as good or excellent.
Seven percent of learning community freshmen used the shuttle services while 50 percent of those rated shuttle services as good or excellent.
Overall Evaluation and Future Plans
Ninety-one percent of learning community freshmen would recommend the learning community program at Western to an incoming freshman and 76 percent would continue in a learning community beyond the fall semester if given the opportunity. Eighty-one percent were satisfied with their college experience at Western at the end of their first semester and almost three quarters (74 percent) agreed or strongly agreed that they felt a sense of belonging at Western. Ninety percent plan to continue their education at Western for the Spring 2004 semester.
For further information or questions, please contact Renee Corbin, Office of University Planning, at extension 3082 or e-mail at corbin@email.wcu.edu.