Northern Arizona University

Office of Residence Life

Quality of Life, Spring 2005—Executive Narrative

Overview

Quality of Life is a web-based satisfaction survey administered each spring to the on-campus resident population. Of this population, over 50% respond to the survey annually, providing a robust sample of data. The survey consists of items related to academic environment, diversity, educational and social programming, physical features, residents’ efforts, staff, and overall satisfaction (please see Appendix A for a complete list of items). In aggregate, survey items are also indicators of the sense of community that exists in each hall and area, and across campus housing.

The results obtained from Quality of Life are used annually to assess the fulfillment of department, area, and hall goals; to identify areas of needed improvement; and generally to inform potential and continuing NAU students, as well as staff, faculty, and administrators about on-campus housing at the university. When examining changes from one year to the next, increases or decreases in percent Strongly Agree + Agree that are greater than or equal to 5% are given particular attention. The tables below reflect this, as only items with gains or losses of 5% or more from 2004 to 2005 are provided.

The results obtained from Quality of Life are also analyzed longitudinally for a five-year data collection period. Doing so allows for the assessment of upward and downward trends, which often go unnoticed when simply reviewing the data annually. The tables below reflect this in that bold items indicate an upward trend, whereas italicized items indicate a downward trend (note: items in plain text reflect an unclear trend or steady results from year to year).

Family Housing

The 2005 Family Housing Quality of Life results indicate equal gains and losses compared to 2004 results. More specifically, satisfaction with two items related to RA outreach increased by more than 10%, while satisfaction with the knowledge of the front desk staff regarding operations and policy decreased by just over 11%.

Pine Ridge Village

The 2005 Pine Ridge Village survey results indicate that residents are increasingly satisfied with litter pick-up and landscaping around the complex. Also, over 73% of the residents agree that PRV is a good value for the cost, compared to 66% last year.

Traditional, Suite, and Apartment-style Housing

Apartments

The 2005 Quality of Life results for apartment-style halls indicate losses on several items compared to 2004. Six items had losses greater than 5%, with the largest being 16.6% for the item “Hall council/government has been effective in meeting the needs of hall residents”.

Freshman Connections

The 2005 Freshman Connections survey results indicate losses on almost all items. However, only six of these losses were greater than 5%.

Mountain View

The 2005 Mountain View survey results indicate gains on almost all items compared to 2004. More specifically, satisfaction for several items related to facilities and maintenance increased by at least 7%, while only one item, “Residents in my hall welcome diverse lifestyles and opinions”, decreased by more than 5%.

Upper Division

The 2005 Quality of Life results for upper division halls indicate gains on more than half of the items compared to 2004. Moreover, only one item, “Maintenance problems that are reported between 8am and 5pm on weekdays are repaired in a reasonable amount of time” decreased by more than 5%.
Quality of Life, 2005

Family Housing

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 88.1% - 48.1%

Code Highest %

Agree

U 88.1 % I would prefer to live in a smoke-free complex (-).

C/S 86.9 % My RA encourages me to maintain an environment that respects the rights of others (+).

D/C/S 85.6 % My RA promotes respect for differences among family housing residents (+).

C/S 82.5 % The RA position should primarily focus on responding to resident emergencies (+).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C 48.1 % I feel I know my neighbors well enough to rely on them in times of need (-).

A/C/S 50.0 % My RA talks to me about my classes (+).

E/C/S 51.9 % My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus (+).

C/P 51.9 % The landscaping around my housing area is attractive (-).

5% = approximately 13 students in Family Housing

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff U = Uncoded

Quality of Life, 2005

Pine Ridge Village

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 92.3% - 46.4%

Code Highest %

Agree

P/C 92.3 % The landscaping around Pine Ridge Village is attractive (+).

C/S 84.7 % I am able to find a Residence Life staff member (RA or RHD) when I need one (+).

C/O 83.1 % Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university (-).

O 82.5 % Living in a residence hall has enriched my college experience (-).

Code Lowest %

Agree

E/S 46.4 % I expect Pine Ridge Village staff to organize social/educational programs (-).

C/R 47.0 % I have made an effort to get to know my neighbors (+).

C/E/S 54.1 % I feel the monthly newsletter/building bulletin boards are informative and useful (+).

E/C 57.4 % Hall council/government has been effective in meeting the needs of hall residents (+).

5% = approximately 16 students in Pine Ridge Village

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff/Desk Service U = Uncoded

Quality of Life, 2005

Traditional, Suite, and Apartment-Style Housing

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 90.4% - 45.0%

Code Highest %

Agree

C/P 90.4 % Public areas are adequately clean (+).

C/D/S 88.9 % My RA promotes respect for differences among hall residents (-).

C/O 87.7 % Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university (-).

C/P 87.5 % On weekdays, bathrooms are adequately clean (+).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C/S 45.0 % My RA asks me about my involvement on campus (+).

C/E 52.9 % Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents (-).

A/C/S 57.9 % My RA talks to me about my classes (-).

C/P/R 59.2 % Residents in my hall do their best to help keep the building clean (-).

5% = approximately 223 students in Traditional, Suite, and Apartment-Style Housing

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff U = Uncoded

Quality of Life, 2005

Apartments

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 92.5% - 27.8%

Code Highest %

Agree

C/D/R 92.5 % Residents in my hall welcome diverse lifestyles and opinions (+).

C/P 91.7 % Public areas are adequately clean (+).

C/D 88.1 % I am comfortable expressing my values and beliefs in my hall (-).

O 86.5 % Living in a residence hall has enriched my college experience (-).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C/S 27.8 % My RA asks me about my involvement on campus (-).

C/E 28.2 % Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents (-).

A/C/S 30.6 % My RA talks to me about my classes (-).

E/C/S 32.1 % My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus (-).

5% = approximately 22 students in Apartment Housing

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff

Quality of Life, 2005

Freshman Connections

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 92.3% - 50.7%

Code Highest %

Agree

C/D 92.3 % My RA promotes respect for differences among hall residents (-).

C/O 89.7 % Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university (-).

C/D/S 89.2 % My RA encourages me to maintain an environment that respects the rights of others (-).

C/S 88.8 % My RA confronts behavior that may be in violation of university policies (+).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C/P/R 50.7 % Residents in my hall do their best to help keep the building clean (-).

C/E 57.5 % Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents (-).

C/P 58.0 % On weekends, bathrooms are adequately clean (+).

A/O 64.2 % Living in a hall that offers tutoring/academic support has enriched my…experience (-).

5% = approximately 94 students in Freshman Connections

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff

Quality of Life, 2005

Mountain View

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 96.7% - 50.5%

Code Highest %

Agree

E 96.7 % My fraternity/sorority has encouraged me to get involved…unrelated to Greek Life (-).

O 96.2 % Living in a residence hall has enriched my college experience (+).

E 96.2 % My fraternity/sorority plans activities that meet my needs (-).

C/P 95.6 % Maintenance problems that are reported between 8am and 5pm on weekdays are repaired in

a reasonable amount of time (+).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C/P/R 50.5 % Residents in my hall do their best to help keep the building clean (+).

A/C/S 63.0 % My RA talks to me about my classes (+).

E/S 63.0 % My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus (+).

C/E 64.7 % Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents (+).

5% = approximately 22 students in Mountain View

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff

Quality of Life, 2005

Upper Division

Snapshots of Strengths and Weaknesses

High to Low Range of Percentages = 93.9% - 47.6%

Code Highest %

Agree

C/P 93.9 % Public areas are adequately clean (+).

C/P 89.7 % On weekdays, bathrooms are adequately clean (+).

C/D/S 86.9 % My RA promotes respect for differences among hall residents (-).

C/D/R 86.6 % Residents in my hall welcome diverse lifestyles and opinions (-).

Code Lowest %

Agree

C/S 47.6 % My RA asks me about my involvement on campus (+).

C/E 52.2 % Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents (+).

A/C/S 54.1 % My RA talks to me about my classes (+).

E/C/S 57.0 % My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus (+).

5% = approximately 68 students in Upper Division Housing

Codes

A = Academic Environment C = Community D = Diversity E = Education/Social Programming

O = Overall Satisfaction P = Physical Feature R = Residents’ Efforts S = Staff

Appendix A

2005 Quality of Life Codes for Family Housing Survey

Academic Environment (These items are also Community items.)

2. My RA talks to me about my classes.

6. I find my housing environment quiet enough to study.

Community

12. I feel I know my neighbors well enough to rely on them in times of need.

Diversity (Item 9 is also a Community item)

9. My RA promotes respect for differences among family housing residents.

Educational and Social Programming (Items 5 and 8 are also Community items.)

3. Family Housing offers a variety of education and social activities.

4. My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus.

5. Activities in Family Housing have helped me get to know other residents.

15. I am satisfied with the quality of activities that my family has attended.

23. Having social and educational programs in my complex is important to me.

Overall Satisfaction

16. On-campus family housing is a good value for the cost.

Physical Features (All of these items are also Community items.)

7. Public areas in my housing complex are generally well maintained.

13. My apartment was clean when I moved in.

14. The landscaping around my housing area is attractive.

29. Maintenance problems that are reported between 8am and 5pm on weekdays are repaired in a reasonable

amount of time.

30. Maintenance problems that are reported after business hours (after 5pm on weekdays and on weekends) are

repaired in a reasonable amount of time.

Staff (All of these items are also Community items.)

1. My RA has made an effort to get to know me.

2. My RA talks to me about my classes.

3. Family Housing offers a variety of education and social activities.

4. My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus.

9. My RA promotes respect for differences among family housing residents.

10. My RA encourages me to maintain an environment that respects the rights of others.

11. My RA confronts behavior that may be in violation of university policies.

17. My complex’s front desk staff is knowledgeable regarding operations and policy.

24. The RA position should primarily focus on planning activities for our community.

25. The RA position should primarily focus on enforcing university policies.

26. The RA position should primarily focus on resolving conflicts between residents.

27. The RA position should primarily focus on addressing administrative and facilities issues.

28. The RA position should primarily focus on responding to resident emergencies.

Uncoded Item

22. I would prefer to live in a smoke-free complex.

Appendix A

2005 Quality of Life Codes for Pine Ridge Village Survey

Academic Environment (These items are also Community items.)

10. I find my hall quiet enough to sleep.

11. I find my hall quiet enough to study.

Community (Plus noted items under other codes)

1. I have made an effort to get to know my neighbors.

3. Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university.

Diversity (All of these items are also Community items.)

6. Pine Ridge Village staff promotes respect for differences among hall residents.

Educational and Social Programming (All of these items are also Community items.)

2. I feel the monthly newsletter and building bulletin boards are informative and useful.

9. Hall council/government has been effective in meeting the needs of hall residents.

14. I expect Pine Ridge Village staff to organize social/educational programs that meet my needs.

Overall Satisfaction

3. Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university.

8. Living in a residence hall has enriched my college experience.

16. Pine Ridge Village is a good value for the cost.

Physical Features (All of these items are also Community items.)

4. Litter pick-up is sufficient around Pine Ridge Village.

5. The landscaping around Pine Ridge Village is attractive.

17. The thermostat in my apartment provides me adequate control over my surroundings.

25. Maintenance problems that are reported between 8am and 5pm on weekdays are repaired in a reasonable

amount of time.

26. Maintenance problems that are reported after business hours (after 5pm on weekdays and on weekends) are

repaired in a reasonable amount of time.

Residents’ Efforts (All of these items are also Community items.)

1. I have made an effort to get to know my neighbors.

13. Residents comply with Pine Ridge Village policies and procedures.

Staff (All of these items are also Community items.)

2. I feel the monthly newsletter and building bulletin boards are informative and useful.

6. Pine Ridge Village staff promotes respect for differences among hall residents.

12. I am able to find a Residence Life staff member (RA or RHD) when I need one.

14. I expect the Pine Ridge Village staff to organize social/educational programs that meet my needs.

15. What should be primary duties of Pine Ridge Village RAs?

18. Do you feel Pine Ridge Village should have RAs?

Uncoded Items

19. What do you like most about Pine Ridge Village?

20. What do you like least about Pine Ridge Village?

21. Why did you choose to live in Pine Ridge Village?

22. Please rank in order of importance the following Pine Ridge Village amenities.

23. I use the Pine Ridge Village Community Center…

24. Which aspect of the community center do you use most?

Appendix A

2005 Quality of Life Codes for Upper Division Housing Survey

Academic Environment (All of these items are also Community items.)

2. My RA talks to me about my classes.

7. I find my hall quiet enough to study.

16. I would characterize my hall as an academically supportive environment.

Community (Plus noted items under other codes)

5. I feel a part of the community in my hall.

23. Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university.

Diversity (All of these items are also Community items.)

12. Residents in my hall welcome diverse lifestyles and opinions.

14. I am comfortable expressing my values and beliefs in my hall.

15. My RA promotes respect for differences among hall residents.

20. My RA encourages me to maintain an environment that respects the rights of others.

Educational and Social Programming (Items 6 and 8 are also Community items.)

3. My hall offers a variety of educational and social activities.

4. My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus.

6. Activities in my hall have helped me get to know other residents.

8. Hall council/government has been effective in meeting the needs of hall residents.

Overall Satisfaction

13. Living in a residence hall has enriched my college experience.

23. Living on campus has helped me feel connected to the university.

Physical Features (All of these items are also Community items)

9. Public areas (e.g., hallways, lounges, lobbies) are adequately clean.

10. Residents in my hall do their best to help keep the building clean.

17. On weekdays, bathrooms are adequately clean.

18. On weekends, bathrooms are adequately clean.

29. Maintenance problems that are reported between 8am and 5pm on weekdays are repaired in a reasonable

amount of time.

30. Maintenance problems that are reported after business hours (after 5pm on weekdays and on weekends) are

repaired in a reasonable amount of time.

Residents’ Efforts (All of these items are also Community items.)

10. Residents in my hall do their best to help keep the building clean.

12. Residents in my hall welcome diverse lifestyles and opinions.

Staff (All of these items are also Community items.)

1. My RA has made an effort to get to know me.

2. My RA talks to me about my classes.

3. My hall offers a variety of educational and social activities.

4. My RA has encouraged me to get involved on campus.

15. My RA promotes respect for differences among hall residents.

20. My RA encourages me to maintain an environment that respects the rights of others.

21. My RA confronts behavior that may be in violation of university policy.

24. My RA asks me about my involvement on campus.

Appendix A