A student satisfaction survey conducted last spring shows students are happy with faculty treating students with care and the response from help desk personnel but disenchanted with academic advisors and internship opportunities at Point Park.
The results in the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) – which was completed by 46 percent of Point Park’s students – are being used by the University management to achieve increases in the quality of the college experience, according to Chris Choncek, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Research and Strategic Planning, who spoke at a United Student Government (USG) meeting Monday.
“We take this survey really seriously and actually use the results,” Choncek said. “We’re not putting it in a filing cabinet somewhere and forgetting about it for two years.”
Choncek explained that the survey is on a seven-point scale, one being the lowest importance or satisfaction, seven being the highest. Any item in the top half of the scale in importance and in the top quartile of satisfaction is considered a strength; any item in the top half of the scale in importance, but in the bottom quartile in satisfaction is considered a challenge.
In addition, the results of the survey indicated a repeat challenge for Point Park: students do not feel the tuition paid is a worthwhile investment.
“This is…a challenge at other universities as well,” Choncek said. “We’re not really sure how to address this as a University, but we’re looking into it.”
Choncek presents the results all across campus. Aside from presenting it to USG, he made presentations to various academic departments and student life.
“The presentation was strategically planned for today,” Thaddeus Covaleski, USG Treasurer said to the legislative body. “Use [it] to prepare for forum,” which is USG’s yearly event to publicly collect and discuss student concerns. This year’s forum is on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Lawrence Hall Ballroom.
Also at the USG meeting, the legislative body voted to recognize the Student Solidarity Organization (SSO) as an official club that can receive funding from USG.
SSO was one of the main organizations in support of allowing Point Park’s adjunct faculty unionization. The club aims to achieve social and economical justice, according to Samey Lee, who helped organize SSO.
Lee made note of the differences between SSO and the Global Cultural Studies (GCS) Club after facing inquiries from USG Senator Kiersten Lewis.
“[SSO] is more of a city-wide student movement,” Lee said. “We’re a little bit broader than [GCS Club]…We probably will be teaming up with GCS in the future.”
Lee informed the legislative body that SSO plans to publish a zine, or an informal publication, that should be out at the end of this week.
“Because we’re political and lean more radically left, everything we publish will have a disclaimer on it,” Lee said, noting that the views in SSO may not reflect the views of Point Park.
The Rules Committee also presented its amended dress code bill and, after four weeks, it was voted into law.
The law states that USG members must dress business casual to USG meetings unless otherwise stated by the majority of the executive cabinet.
The President Pro-Tempore deems senators’ appropriate or otherwise, but their vote may be overturned by the majority vote of all USG members, including all senators and the executive cabinet.
The executive cabinet also discussed plans to have a bike ride with President Hennigan, set to happen on April 24, the same day as Point Park’s Outstanding Student Awards.
Hennigan invited USG President Julian Singleton and the rest of USG members to bike with him for the morning, an event that is usually reserved for Student Life employees.
“You guys were invited to go on a bike ride with the President,” Michael Gieseke, Dean of Students, said. “His time is precious. If you say you’re going, you gotta go…you have to do this one fully.”
