When reviewing data, it is important to note the characteristics of the student population and specific program initiatives at each of the different campuses. The goal of this survey project was to obtain information from students to establish benchmarks that can be helpful to those making decisions for improving the undergraduate education of Penn State students. Overall Highlights Student assessment of their Penn State experience is generally positive. Students state they are making good progress towards developing most of the academic abilities associated with the educational mission of the university. Students were generally satisfied with university resources provided - especially library services, opportunity to volunteer for community service, student clubs and organizations, and athletic programs.
Findings establish baseline measures.
Students attribute less importance to functioning across international boundaries, functioning in a culturally diverse society, and understanding a foreign language than they do to other educational skills and abilities. More than half the students were satisfied with the manner in which their campus addresses harassment or discrimination issues. There are many differences in the experiences and satisfaction levels of undergraduate students at University Park and those at the other PSU campuses. Charge In November 1998, the Vice President of Student Affairs charged The Student Satisfaction Committee to gather feedback from students related to their satisfaction with their Penn State experiences. During the process of designing the instrument, input was also solicited from academic and administrative staff at each University Park academic college and from each of the other Penn State locations offering undergraduate programs.