Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
Recent Selected Survey Data
Strategic Positioning
The overwhelming majority of respondents to our 2006 Annual Market Research Survey support (82% favor, 40% strongly) the University’s strategic positioning initiative. (2006 Annual University of Minnesota Reputation Survey.)
Among all Minnesotans there has been a statistically significant increase in the number of respondents saying that the University “conducts research that improves Minnesotans’ lives.” (2006 Annual University of Minnesota Reputation Survey.)
Student Satisfaction
Undergraduate student satisfaction on the Twin Cities campus (those students responding that they were very or moderately satisfied with the University) has risen substantially from 66.1% in 1997 to 79.4% in 2005. (Student Experience Survey, 2005.)
Graduate student satisfaction on the Twin Cities campus (those students responding that they were very or moderately satisfied with the University) also has risen substantially from 68.2% in 1997 to 84.5% in 2005. (Student Experience Survey, 2005.)
2005 student survey data show that both undergraduates and graduates rate the following at all-time highs (since data was gathered in 1997): overall quality of instruction; feedback given on performance; and the availability of instructors to discuss course-related issues outside of class. (Student Experience Survey, 2005.)
Based on student survey data both undergraduate and graduate rankings of the following have risen significantly since 1997: Overall quality of the University academic programs; Quality of research facilities; Overall physical environment of the campus; Availability of places to study on campus; Overall quality of classrooms; Administration's responsiveness to concerns of students; and Cultural diversity among the student body. (Student Interest Survey: 1971-2006.)
Overall student satisfaction is significantly higher in 2001 and 2006 compared to 1991 and 1996. In 2006, only 12.5 percent express overall dissatisfaction with the University. (Student Interest Survey: 1971-2006.)
There have been major increases (more than doubled) from 1991 to 2006 in the percentage of students who agree with statements that faculty care about students and staff care about students. (Student Interest Survey: 1971-2006.)
According to The Minnesota Daily, Department of Survey Research, March 2007:
- Nearly 90% of all participants agreed that faculty at the University of Minnesota care about students’ well-being.
- 74% of all participants agreed that University administration cares about students’ well-being.
- 72% of faculty and staff participants agreed that University administration cares about faculty and staff well-being.
- 93% of students report that attending the University of Minnesota has been a good experience.
- increased the meaningfulness of their academic work
- encouraged them to examine their values, beliefs, and views about the world.
- challenged them to identify and analyze social problems
- helped them to understand the value of actively participating in the community
- would recommend the experience to other students
- plan to participate in community work in the future
Campus Life and Activities
Nearly three-fourths (73.8 percent) of all undergraduates are involved at least to a slight degree in student organizations or campus activities in the 2006 survey. This is more than double (34.5 percent) the number involved in 1986. (Student Interest Survey: 1971-2006.)
There has been a steady increase in the percentage of students living on campus or within walking distance of the campus since 1976. (Student Interest Survey: 1971-2006.)
Alumni
The 2006 Connecting With Our Alumni survey found that University of Minnesota graduates are leaders and entrepreneurs:
- 14,801 alumni have founded approximately 19,000 companies worldwide, employing 1.1 million people.
- 7,383 have founded roughly 10,000 companies in Minnesota, employing half a million people.
- 10% have earned national or international accolades, including academic recognition, Olympic medals, humanitarian awards and military honors.
- 78% do volunteer work, and one in 14 has served in elected office.
- 37% have led charity organizations, and 23 percent have served on for- and non-profit boards.
- 1,154 own patents, including eight who own more than 200 each.
Faculty
A majority of faculty across all four campuses agree that their work gives a sense of accomplishment, is satisfying, is challenging. (2006 Pulse Survey.)
Taken as a whole, the 2006 Pulse Survey results suggest that faculty at the University of Minnesota are satisfied with a variety of features regarding their employment and the University. Across a number of indicators, results suggest that faculty respondents feel quite good about their jobs at the University. In particular, we see some of the most favorable results in the following areas:
- Overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with the University as an employer
- Satisfaction with coworkers
- Satisfaction with department chair or responsible administrator
- Intentions to remain at the University
- General well-being outside of work
Staff
Taken as a whole, the 2006 Pulse Survey results suggest that employees at the University of Minnesota are satisfied with a variety of features regarding their employment and the University. Across a number of indicators, results suggest that respondents feel quite good about their jobs at the University. In particular we see some of the most favorable results in the following areas:
- Overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with the University as an employer
- Satisfaction with coworkers
- Satisfaction with supervisors
- Satisfaction with benefits
- Intentions to remain at the University
- General well-being outside of work