2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
Students, admins criticize University survey
Data about student comfort level at Penn was flawed, they say
Nandanie Khilall
On Wednesday, minority student groups reached a significant milestone in their push for a comprehensive campus climate assessment with the release of much-anticipated 2006 survey data.
The results, however, weren't entirely satisfying to student leaders.
Associate Provost Andrew Binns presented the data at the last University Council meeting of this academic year. Certain portions of the survey data assessed campus climate, which refers to individuals' levels of comfort at Penn in terms of their gender and gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity.
The survey was the starting point for any future discussions on assessing Penn's climate.
Student leaders, who have been waiting for the release of this data for several months, said they were dissatisfied with the methods and results of the survey.
Out of the 2,137 seniors surveyed in the class of 2006, only 915 students completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 43 percent.
"I think this indicates that the University really needs to find a way to make sure that these results are as representative as possible," said College junior, former 34th Street section editor and United Minorities Council vice chairman Derek Mazique.
The administration was aware of the survey's shortcomings.
"This is not a good rate," said Binns. "We are not happy with it."
Of the respondents, male and Asian American students made up a lower percentage than expected, Binns added.
"Peer institutions have higher response rates than we do," Mazique said. "Whatever instrument we use to assess climate in the future, we need to find a way to increase the response rate."
The survey is administered by the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, an organization that conducts standard surveys at its 31 member schools. As a member, Penn was allowed to ask 10 school-specific questions. Two questions directly addressed campus climate, Binns said.
The results, however, weren't entirely satisfying to student leaders.
Associate Provost Andrew Binns presented the data at the last University Council meeting of this academic year. Certain portions of the survey data assessed campus climate, which refers to individuals' levels of comfort at Penn in terms of their gender and gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity.
The survey was the starting point for any future discussions on assessing Penn's climate.
Student leaders, who have been waiting for the release of this data for several months, said they were dissatisfied with the methods and results of the survey.
Out of the 2,137 seniors surveyed in the class of 2006, only 915 students completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 43 percent.
"I think this indicates that the University really needs to find a way to make sure that these results are as representative as possible," said College junior, former 34th Street section editor and United Minorities Council vice chairman Derek Mazique.
The administration was aware of the survey's shortcomings.
"This is not a good rate," said Binns. "We are not happy with it."
Of the respondents, male and Asian American students made up a lower percentage than expected, Binns added.
"Peer institutions have higher response rates than we do," Mazique said. "Whatever instrument we use to assess climate in the future, we need to find a way to increase the response rate."
The survey is administered by the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, an organization that conducts standard surveys at its 31 member schools. As a member, Penn was allowed to ask 10 school-specific questions. Two questions directly addressed campus climate, Binns said.
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Puriranical Rightwing Nutjob
posted 5/07/08 @ 11:48 PM EST
Gay this. Oppression that. You know why Penn is so damned expensive? So much of the time and money is being pissed away on "progressive" projects like that. (Continued…)
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