WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?

Data fromCooperative Institutional Research Project

Foundations of Excellence Survey

Noel-Levitz Satisfaction Survey

National Survey of Student Engagement

UNT Fall Facts 2007

Fall 2007 Facts

Enrollment US CitizenPermanent

Resident N/R Alien Resident Total

Texas 30,538 810 109 31,457 (92.1%)

Out-of-State 1,216 36 0 1,252 (3.7%)

N/R Alien 0 0 1,444 1,444 (4.2%)University Total 31,754 846 1,553 34,153 (100%)

Gender of Students Female 56.60%Male 43.40%

Ethnicity of Students

White 64.90%

African-American 12.60%

Hispanic 11.20%

Native American/ Alaskan 0.80%

Asian and Pacific Islander 4.80%Non-Resident Alien (134 Countries) 4.50%Other/Unknown 1.20%

Full/Part Time and FTE: Full Part Total FTE

Undergraduate 21,433 5,809 27,242 23,207

Graduate 2,579 4,332 6,911 3,641

Total Student Enrollment 24,012 10,141 34,153 26,848

Average Age

Undergraduate 22.4

Graduate 32.4

Total Student Enrollment 24.4

University of North Texas

CIRP Freshman Survey Comparison

1999, 2002, & 2005

(Source: Higher Education Research Institute)

Provides academic, financial and personal profiles

Academic Profile

The academic reputation of UNT is important to entering UNT students. The survey indicates that new freshmen expect to do well in college but may not be as academically prepared for college as their high school PA’s indicate.

Choosing UNT

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

FirstChoice

SecondChoice

Did notapply

elsewhere

Applied to1-3 otherschools

1999

2002

2005

Influencing Decision to Enroll at UNT

Academic Attitudes & Aspirations

Grade Inflation

• Grade point averages continue to climb nationally- 55% of freshmen report “A” averages (low was 17.6% in 1968).

• Students both nationally (53%) and at UNT (57%) believe grading in high schools has become to easy.

• Seventy-seven percent of these freshmen see themselves as “above average” or in the “highest 10%” in academic ability.

Grade Inflation

UNT Freshmen 1999 2002 2005

“A” average reported 50% 51% 53%

Hours (6 or more) studied per week 24% 18% 18%

Self-perceived academic ability 65% 65% 71%

Tutoring in High School and Need for College Tutoring

• As in previous CIRP surveys, UNT freshmen expressed greater need for math, foreign language, social studies, science and English tutoring in college than they indicated they used in high school.

• In comparison with their counterparts at CIRP peer institutions and nationally, UNT freshmen expect to need less tutoring.

• The survey indicates that only ¼ of students asked teachers for advice in high school, and they expect to interact with professors in college with the same frequency as they did with their high school teachers.

Financial Situation

Nationally, freshmen who expect to get a job to help pay for college set a record high of 47% this year. There is also an increased

concern that they may not be able to complete college due to finances. UNT students’ expressing “no concern about paying for college” has decreased since 1999 from 35% to 28%, which coincides

with the 65% who expect to work to support themselves.

Financial Situation

* In 1999 students were asked to indicate if they felt parents would help with $1,500 or more as opposed to $1,000 in 2002 & 2005

UNT Freshmen 1999 2002 2005

Expected to work full or part-time while earning degree

55% 64% 66%

Expected parents to help with more than $1,000 of educational expenses

*59% 63% 66%

No concern about paying for college 35% 33% 28%

Personal Profile

CIRP Freshman Survey gives a snapshot of the values, experiences and aspirations of

new students. Some of these are components of our university mission such

as “improve my understanding of other countries and cultures”.

Attitudes & AspirationsUNT Freshmen feel it is “essential” or very important to: 1999 2002 2005

Become an authority in my field (obtaining recognition for contributions to my field)

61% 65% 61%

Obtaining recognition from my colleagues for contributions to my special field

57% 57% 57%

Raise a family 69% 71% 71%

Being very well off financially 72% 74% 72%

Help others having difficulties 58% 59% 68%

Integrate spirituality into my life 53% 50% 48%

Develop meaningful philosophy of life 47% 42% 46%

Improve my understanding of other countries and cultures

N/A 42% 49%

Become successful in a business of my own 42% 43% 45%

Influence social values 40% 39% 41%

Notable Activities in the Last Year of High School

UNT Freshmen- reported participating in the following activities during their last year of high school:

1999 2002 2005

Used their internet for research or homework 63% 75% 80%

Used a personal computer 77% 84% 88%

Were bored in class 46% 46% 45%

Performed volunteer work 77% 79% 81%

Frequently or occasionally discussed politics (in class) N/A N/A 47%

Frequently or occasionally discussed religion 38% 39% 44%

Participated in organized demonstrations 51% 48% 53%

Felt overwhelmed 33% 29% 29%

Did not consume beer 59% 58% 63%

Did not consume wine/liquor 50% 49% 54%

Spent 1-10 hours per week exercising 57% 51% 56%

Spent 11 or more hours working for pay 60% 54% 51%

Student Opinions about Issues

According to HERI, students are showing an increase in their interest in politics and

influencing the political structure. Social attitudes remain liberal---e.g. homosexual

relationships, national healthcare, but show a conservative opinion about gun

regulation and increasing military spending.

UNT Freshmen who agree strongly or somewhat strongly that: 1999 2002 2005

Through hard work anyone can succeed in American society N/A N/A 81%

The federal government should do more to control the sale of handguns 79% 76% 80%

The federal government is not doing enough to control environmental pollution N/A N/A 75%

A national health care plan is needed N/A N/A 71%

Only volunteers should serve in the armed forces N/A N/A 59%

Dissent is a critical component to the political process N/A N/A 59%

Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus 61% 58% 56%

Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status 54% 57% 54%

Wealthy people should pay a larger share of taxes than they do now 48% 45% 54%

Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished 48% 44% 45%

Undocumented immigrants should be denied access to public education N/A N/A 41%

If two people really like each other, it’s alright for them to have sex even if they have known each other for a very short while

37% N/A 38%

Federal military spending should be increased 47% 36%

Realistically, an individual can do little to change society 31% 29% 25%

Foundations of Excellence

Student Survey

Spring 2006

Freshmen with 30 hours or less

Please compare your experience at UNT to your high school experience

UNT staff and faculty are committed to my success at UNT

Average number of hours per week studied during the current term

What First Year Students Say about UNT Foundations of Excellence Survey Spring 2006

• We orient new students well to campus and help them understand the purpose for attending college

• We explain and advise appropriately in the selection of their courses

• Faculty provide quality course instruction• We do not promote out of class involvement (field trips, work

groups, etc.)• There is not enough opportunity to interact with faculty

outside of class• Students are connected to academic support services• Students feel we discuss methods of academic success and

feel we help them to succeed at UNT

What First Year students Say about UNT

• Their classes provide a world view (except world religious)

• Students understand how UNT is organized• Faculty and staff make appropriate referrals to students

in need of help• Survey indicates we need to improve in helping students

in their self-examination• Students are aware of co-curricular programming• UNT treats different groups fairly• These First Year students would recommend UNT to

their friends

Noel-Levitz Satisfaction Survey 2007

Cross-section of UNT student body

NOEL-LEVITZ SATISFACTION SURVEY 2007

5 THINGS MOST SATISFIED WITH AT UNT

Computer labs adequate and accessible

Nearly all faculty knowledgeable in their field

Faculty usually available after class & at office hours

Good variety of courses offered

Can experience intellectual growth here

NOEL-LEVITZ SATISFACTION SURVEY 2007

6 Things Least Satisfied With At UNT

Parking

Athletic programs contribute to a strong sense of school spirit

Adequate financial aid is available

Student activity fees are put to good use

There are a sufficient number of weekend activities for students

I seldom get the runaround when seeking information on this campus

Noel-Levitz Satisfaction Survey 2007

#4 on Least Important to Student Items:

Personalized attention prior to enrollment as factor in decision to

enroll

Most Important to Student Items:

Quality of Instruction and knowledge of advisor about major

National Survey of Student Engagement 2007

(NSSE)

Freshman Results

(Seniors also surveyed)

Used e-mail to communicate with an

instructor

2005 2007

Never   9%   5% Sometimes   39%   38% Often   36%   32% Very often   15%   25%

Total   100% 100%

Discussed grades or assignments with an

instructor

2005 2007

Never   11%   10% Sometimes   42%   49%

Often 33%   25% Very often   13%   16%

Total   100% 100%

Talked about career plans with a faculty member or

advisor

2005 2007

Never   35%   33%Sometimes   43%   43%Often   14%   16% Very often   7%   9%

Total   100%   100%

Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with

faculty members outside of class

2005 2007

Never   61%   48%Sometimes   31%   33%Often   6%   14% Very often   2%   5%

Total   100%   100%

Received prompt feedback from faculty on your academic performance (written or oral)

2005 2007

Never   8%   13%Sometimes   43%   46%Often   38%   37%Very often   10%   5%

Total   100%   100%

Worked with faculty on activities other than

coursework (committees, orientation, student life

activities, etc.)

2005 2007

Never   70%   59%Sometimes   19%   27%Often   7%   11%Very often   4%   3%

Total   100%   100%

Worked on a research project with a faculty

member outside of course or program requirements

2005 2007

Have not decided   39%   40%Do not plan to do   43%   32%Plan to do   15%  

18%Done   3%   10%

Total   100%   100%

Quality of relationships with faculty members

2005 2007

1 Unavailable, Unhelpful,

Unsympathetic   3%   3%2   2%   6% 3   9%   6% 4   15%  

31% 5   32%  

27% 6   26%  

20% 7 Available, Helpful, Sympathetic  

14%   8%

Total   100%   100%

Preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, doing homework or lab work,

analyzing data, rehearsing, and other academic activities)

2005 2007

0 hr/wk   1%   1%1-5 hr/wk   27%  

23%6-10 hr/wk   26%  

28%11-15 hr/wk   19%  

20%16-20 hr/wk   7%   15%21-25 hr/wk   12%   4%26-30 hr/wk   5%  4%30+ hr/wk   3%  

5%

Total   100%   100%

Quality of relationships with administrative personnel and offices

2005 2007

1 Unhelpful, Inconsiderate,

Rigid   3%   8%2   7%  

9%3   12%  

15%4   28%  

27%5   20%  

21%6   20%  

15%7 Helpful, Considerate,

8 Flexible   10%   6%

Total   100%   100%

Spending significant amounts of time studying and on

academic work

2005 2007

Very little   3%   2%

Some   25%   29%Quite a bit   46%  

42%Very much   26%  

26%

Total   100%   100%

Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of

academic advising you have received at your institution?

2005 2007

Poor   7%   11%

Fair   27%   31%

Good   57%   42%Excellent   10%  

17%

Total   100%   100%

Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience,

or clinical assignment

2005 2007

Have not decided   15%   21%Do not plan to do   2%   11%Plan to do   76%  

61%Done   7%   7%

Total   100%   100%

Study abroad

2005 2007

Have not decided   36%   32%Do not plan to do   40%   32%Plan to do   20%  

35%Done   3%   1%

Total   100%   100%

Independent study or self-designed major

2005 2007

Have not decided   39%   37%Do not plan to do   46%   44%Plan to do   15%   14%Done   0%   5%

Total 100%   100%

Freshman Who Work

Working for pay on campus

2005 2007

0 hr/wk   87%   84%1-5 hr/wk   4%   0%

6-10 hr/wk   0%   2%11-15 hr/wk   2%   5%16-20 hr/wk   4%   6%21-25 hr/wk   0%   2%26-30 hr/wk   1%   0%30+ hr/wk   1%   0%

Total   100%   100%

Working for pay off campus

2005 2007

0 hr/wk   53%   67%1-5 hr/wk   4%   0%6-10 hr/wk   4%   3%11-15 hr/wk   6%   3%16-20 hr/wk   12%   6%21-25 hr/wk   9%   7%26-30 hr/wk   6%   5%30+ hr/wk   5%   9%

Total   100%   100%

Providing the support you need to help you succeed academically

2005 2007

Very little   5%   7%

Some   29%   32%Quite a bit   43%  

42%Very much   23%  

20%

Total   100%   100%

Helping you cope with your non-academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.)

2005 2007

Very little   40%   37%Some   41%   36%Quite a bit   10%   19%Very much   10%   8%

Total   100%   100%

How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution?

2005 2007

Poor   4%   8%Fair   13%   22%Good   60%   47%Excellent   23%   22%

Total   100%   100%

For more information on these surveys please contact:

Institutional Research and Accreditation Office for the NSSE & Noel-Levitz Surveys

(940) 565-2085

Planning and Assessment Office for the CIRP and Foundations of Excellence Surveys (940) 369-8047