Thursday, November 1, 2001

Online survey draws fewer but more varied participants
By Kristin Delorantis
Staff Reporter

Respondents to the online Oct. 10 Constituency Day survey by the House of Student Representatives were fewer than anticipated, but House Vice President Amy Render said the participants were more varied than those in last year’s survey.

“This year we had a better sampling and it is a greater representative voice,” Render said.

Of the 581 respondents, 410 were residential students and 171 were commuter students. Of all participants in the survey, 208 were freshmen, 141 were sophomores, 118 were juniors and 87 were seniors. Twenty-seven graduate students also responded.

Last year, 800 residential students participated in the survey, Render said.

The resolution passed Tuesday at the House meeting released the results of the survey to the student body, faculty and administration. The administration has already received the results, but House is currently trying to decide whether to post the results online with a link through the TCU Announce or on a bulletin board on campus.

The resolution also stated that the House will strive to act upon the results of the survey to improve the lives of students.

“It is a great opportunity for students to know that we are listening to them and seeing trends develop on campus,” said Clark Hall Representative Brad Thompson.

Render said in an Oct. 10 TCU Daily Skiff article that the House expected more responses to the survey by conducting it online rather than in campus buildings.

However, sophomore pre-major Abbey Jones said distributing surveys in residence hall lobbies and handing out candy was a better way for House to gather responses.

“When you open an e-mail and you don’t have time to respond immediately, you neglect it,” Jones said. “If people are in the lobby with candy, that is a big incentive for a college student to fill out a survey.”

Senior business management major Meghan Geare said conducting the survey online was effective.

“I really don’t remember filling out the survey last year and I think it is important to say where money goes and what needs improvement,” Geare said. “This year, it was convenient and it only took a minute.”

Tabulating an online survey is done electronically which generates results more efficiently, Render said. Last year, the House survey took a month to tabulate by hand.

Render said the results compiled from the survey will be considered through the spring and will generate legislation.

The response to one question expressed that students thought advising was more important than tutoring or the core curriculum, Render said.

She said the response tells the House it needs to look into the advising process and talk with university officials.The House might look into extending Constituency Day to more than just one day to improve the number of student responses, but has not considered it as an option in the past because it is a tradition to have just one Constituency Day, Render said.

House is considering adding a free-response section next year so students can express their concerns and opinions beyond a multiple choice survey.

Kristin Delorantis
k.a.delorantis@student.tcu.edu