graduate student town hall meeting may 2,...
TRANSCRIPT
7th Annual Graduate Student Town Hall
Meeting May 2, 2016
Columbia EngineeringGraduate Student
Quality of Life Survey
Introduction
2
• Survey Design and Analysis Methodology
• Results and Key Insights• Overview• Academics and Mentoring• Academic Integrity• Professional Development• Career Development• Student Life• Libraries and Facilities
• Question and Answer Panel
3
Survey Overview
Survey Design and Analysis
4
• Likert scale• Randomized sections, options in matrix questions
1) State the research question2) State the null hypothesis
3) Conduct appropriate statistical analysis4) Draw statistical conclusions5) Draw research conclusions
S U R VEY R ES PONDENTS AR E R EPR ESENTATIVE OF D EGR EE
PR OGRAMS AND D EPAR TMENTS
5
Demographics
2016 Student Body 2016 Survey
6
Representation by Degree Program
MS74%
MS/PhD6%
PhD19%
EngScD1%
MS71%
PD0%
MS/PhD5%
PhD24%
EngScD0%
SurveyResponseRate:555/2,405(27.1%)
2015 Survey 2016 Survey
7
Representation by Degree Program
SurveyResponseRate:431/2,038(21.1%) SurveyResponseRate:555/2,405(27.1%)
MS74%
MS/PhD6%
PhD19%
EngScD1%
MS67%
PD1%
MS/PhD8%
PhD23%
EngScD1%
2016 Student Body 2016 Survey
8
Representation by Department
SurveyResponseRate:555/2,405(27.1%)
APAM5% BMEN
9%
CHEN6%
CEEM7%
COMS17%
EAEE4%
ELEN15%
IEOR22%
MECE10%
DSI5%APAM
7%BMEN
6%CHEN
5%
CEEM8%
COMS18%
EAEE5%
ELEN17%
IEOR22%
MECE8%
DSI4%
𝝌𝟐 =17.20,p=0.07
9
Overview of Student Satisfaction
Importance vs. Satisfaction
10
Academics
Mental Health Physical Health
Professional Development
Social Life
Career Services
Housing
Intercampus Shuttle
Library ServicesFunding
Opportunities Student Life and Advising Technology Services
-1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
-0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Impo
rtan
ce
Satisfaction
Overall Student Satisfaction
11Errorbarsarethestandarderrorofthemean
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
MECECEEMCOMS
IEORCHENAPAMELEN
DSIBMENEAEE
MSPhD
2015 2016
The overall student satisfaction in 2016 is 75% ± 1%.
Strongly disagree Strongly agree
Student Satisfaction by Department
12
0% 50% 100%Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
2016201517
40
86
45
109
63
29
34
45
22
43
86
31
109
75
22
25
37
52
n n
0% 50% 100%
MECE
CEEM
APAM
ELEN
IEOR
CHEN
COMS
BMEN
EAEE
DSI
Student Satisfaction by Department
13
2
4
0
0
2
9
1
3
1
0
8
1
4
4
5
7
2
11
2
0
7
6
3
2
12
11
4
5
6
4
29
21
12
11
45
60
21
56
28
13
6
5
6
5
11
22
3
11
6
5
0% 50% 100%Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
2016201517
40
86
45
109
63
29
34
45
22
43
86
31
109
75
22
25
37
52
n n
1
2
1
1
5
2
3
1
1
2
0
4
6
7
3
9
2
0
5
8
5
13
12
6
13
7
1
34
21
16
35
72
27
51
27
13
3
3
3
8
13
7
10
3
2
0% 50% 100%
MECE
CEEM
APAM
ELEN
IEOR
CHEN
COMS
BMEN
EAEE
DSI
STUDENT SATISFACTION WITH ACADEMICS AND
COURSEWORK
14
Academics
Academic Satisfaction
15
APAM
BMEN
CHEN
CEEM
COMS
EAEE
ELEN
IEOR
MECE
DSI
MS
PhD
-0.35
-0.3
-0.25
-0.2
-0.15
-0.1
-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
-0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Impo
rtan
ce
Satisfaction
SEAS Classes and Academics
16
Disagree Neutral Agree
8% 12% 80%
9% 17% 74%
8% 21% 71%
13% 16% 70%
13% 20% 67%
14% 22% 64%
14% 22% 64%
12% 24% 64%
12% 26% 62%
21% 17% 62%
18% 21% 61%
27% 21% 52%
0% 50% 100%
Selection of ElectivesDegree Flexibility
Course AvailabilityDepartment Websites
Career PreparationCourse Descriptions
TA PreparationTheory/Practical BalanceManageable Courseload
Quality of SeminarsTeaching Assistance
Degree Requirements
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
SEAS Classes and Academics
17
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Selection of ElectivesCourse Availability
TA PreparationDegree Flexibility
Manageable CourseloadCourse DescriptionsCareer Preparation
Theory/Practice BalanceDepartment Website
Teaching QualityQuality of Seminars
Teaching AssistanceDegree Requirements
PhD MS
Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree
Errorbarsarethestandarderrorofthemean
Course Availability to Fulfill Degree Requirements
18
4
11
1
2
1
1
0
4
0
1
6
21
12
10
6
2
5
11
2
5
4
15
12
6
5
5
7
18
4
11
11
34
22
22
14
8
19
58
11
51
0
6
5
3
5
6
6
18
5
7
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
DSI
COMS
MECE
BMEN
CHEN
APAM
CEEM
IEOR
EAEE
ELEN
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
n75
22
109
37
22
31
43
52
87
25
Selection of Electives
19
4
3
4
8
6
2
5
3
0
5
4
16
9
25
5
4
10
10
3
10
7
10
3
18
7
13
9
16
5
20
4
11
8
27
11
17
23
39
11
53
3
3
1
9
2
1
5
7
3
21
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
APAM
BMEN
DSI
COMS
CHEN
CEEM
MECE
ELEN
EAEE
IEOR
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
109
22
75
52
37
31
87
25
43
22
n
20
PhD Advisor Mentorship
Strongly disagree Neutral Strongly agree
Errorbarsarethestandarderrorofthemean
“The level of mentorship and guidance provided by my advisor is adequate.”
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
COMS
IEOR
CEEM
BMEN
MECE
EAEE
ELEN
CHEN
APAM
2015 2016
0% 50% 100%
COMS
IEOR
CHEN
MECE
BMEN
EAEE
CEEM
ELEN
APAM
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
PhD Advisor Mentorship
21
10
22
11
5
26
19
10
2
23
n
0% 50% 100%
n 2016201511
25
14
5
34
14
13
7
18
2
0
2
3
6
1
0
3
0
1
0
4
0
2
1
0
2
2
2
1
2
2
6
0
1
0
0
4
4
3
5
14
2
4
14
6
9
2
2
4
6
1
9
6
3
0% 50% 100%
COMS
IEOR
CHEN
MECE
BMEN
EAEE
CEEM
ELEN
APAM
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
PhD Advisor Mentorship
22
10
22
11
5
26
19
10
2
23
n
0
0
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
6
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
6
1
2
4
4
0
0
1
0
5
1
2
5
14
2
3
15
5
6
0
4
7
4
2
7
5
5
0% 50% 100%
11
25
14
5
34
14
13
7
18
n 20162015
New CourseWorks
23
“I find the following features of Canvas useful”:Disagree Neutral Agree
6% 9% 84%
6% 10% 84%
7% 9% 84%
9% 28% 62%
10% 31% 59%
15% 34% 51%
18% 40% 43%
18% 43% 39%
0% 50% 100%
Chat
Collaborations
Discussions
Canvas Mobile App
Piazza
Course Announcements
Assignment Submissions
Course Materials
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
Course materials
Assignment submissions
Course announceme
nts
Communication features
Courseworks is convenient 88% 83% 81% 41%Canvas is convenient 84% 84% 84% 49%Courseworks is inconvenient 5% 5% 5% 29%Canvas is inconvenient 6% 6% 7% 15%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
New CourseWorks (Canvas) versus Old CourseWorks (Sakai)
24
New CourseWorks: Comments
25
� User Experience¡ “The method to log on is so tedious and redundant. I have to click
many times in order to enter one course's page.”¡ “Don't understand the rationale behind using box (which is horribly
slow, laggy and at times outright buggy) as the default pdf file viewer.”
¡ “Announcements don't read well-courses all mixed up together, old announcements continue to be marked new.”
¡ “The mobile app makes all the difference! I love it!”¡ “Still cannot ask for the desktop version of Canvas; Cannot submit
any Word or PDF file through the mobile access(Canvas app)”¡ “Canvas can establish groups. It is really cool.”
New CourseWorks: Comments
26
� Use by professors/instructors¡ “Professors still aren't quite sure how Canvas works, or still aren't familiar
with the system. The location of course content isn't as intuitive as with Courseworks.”
¡ “Many functions were underutilized. Students and lecturers should be familiarized with the various features.”
� TA Experience¡ “When using Canvas as TA, it would be nice if editing of the grade book was
embedded in the site, not through Excel downloads/re-uploads”¡ “Sending emails to specific people is impossible - can't even look up the
students uni.”¡ “When you send an email to the class as a TA on Canvas, you don't get that
email yourself as you did on the older courseworks. This is really inconvenient [sic] and needs update asap!”
¡ “Grading tools are horrible.”
Student Services Online
27
“I find the following features of SSOL useful”: Disagree Neutral Agree
12% 13% 75%
12% 17% 72%
6% 23% 71%
4% 32% 64%
10% 28% 62%
8% 34% 58%
0% 50% 100%
Vergil Course Planning
Waitlist
Academic Certification Requests
Transcript Requests
Accounts and Billing
Course Registration
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
SSOL: Comments
28
� “I found billing difficult -- the names of the items being billed are not intuitive and things are not itemized clearly. Sometimes multiple items are grouped together as one item.”
� “There is time lag for the waitlist. And it is kind of hard to know the sequence.”
� “Very annoying that registration database is frequently offline so I can't even check registration status for courses between registration appointments a lot of the time”
� “Looks outdated”� “Wish it was easier to get an unofficial transcript”� “Vergil is a good idea, poorly executed. I am restricted to only
take courses from certain departments, but you cannot search by department!”
29
Academic Integrity
Code of Honor
30
• AcademicCodeofHonorpassedinMarch2014byCOI,EGSC,andESC• PresentedtoincomingstudentsatorientationofAugust2014• AddedtheonlineAcademic IntegrityModuleinAugust2015
“We,theengineeringgraduatestudentsofColumbiaUniversity,pledgetoupholdthevaluesofintegrity,honesty,anddignityinthepursuitofcommonscholasticgoals,bothatColumbiaandbeyond.”
Academic Integrity Policies
31
81%
67%
58%
84%
67%62%
85%
70% 68%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Policies were clearly communicated
Policies were enforced Classmates followed policies
2014 2015 2016
Academic Integrity: Reporting
32
Violationsreportedto: Reasonfornotreporting:
18.2%ofstudents(n=80)haveobservedanacademicintegrityviolation.
TA16%
Instructor/Professor
58%
TA & Instructor
23%
Office of GSA3%
Friend12%
Classmate
26%
Uncertain of confidentiality
22%
Uncomfortable approaching
authority figures18%
Lack of severity of violation
10%
Unclear how to report12%
Academic Integrity: Rationale
33
32% of students provided reasoning as to why they may violate the Academic Integrity policies.
Heavy courseload
43%
Policies misunderstood24%
Classmates are not
disciplined33%
Academic Integrity: Reporting
34
“Do you believe that peer reporting should play a role in enforcing Academic Integrity policies?”
No25%
Yes46%
Not sure29%
Academic Integrity: Comments
35
� Cultural ¡ 2016: “From my experience, it seems certain aspects of Academic
Integrity are not followed by all students due to cultural norms. During exams, the same groups of students are consistently the ones communicating during exams in the back of the room.”
¡ 2015: “A specific session should be held for international students due to cultural differences in the concepts surrounding academic integrity violations.”
¡ 2014: “[…] perhaps making Academic Integrity policies available in as many native languages as feasible would ensure that all students come to a similar understanding of the Academic Integrity Policies.”
� Suggestions¡ “More transparency on actions that have been taken.”
36
Professional Development
Professional Development Satisfaction
37
APAM
BMEN
CHEN
CEEM
COMS
EAEE
ELEN
IEOR
MECE
DSI
MSPhD
-0.4
-0.3
-0.2
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Impo
rtan
ce
Satisfaction
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
MS
PhD
Overall
Improved/Enhanced Skills at SEAS
38
Strongly agree
Strongly disagree
NETWORKING AND
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
39
Career Development
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Alumni Associations (CEAA, CEYA, CAA)
Events organized by the Alumni Affairs Office
Department administration
Events organized by student groups (GradSWE, DGE, CLASS, SFB, CEEC, etc.)
Faculty
Events organized by EGSC or Office of Graduate Student Affairs
Friends
Alumni Networking: Connections
40
74.0% of students are actively developing alumni contacts.
>2x
Career Development Satisfaction
41
APAMBMEN
CHEN
CEEM
COMS
EAEE
ELEN
IEOR
MECE
DSI
MS
PhD
-0.5
-0.4
-0.3
-0.2
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Impo
rtan
ce
Satisfaction
School and Department Career Activities
42
“The following have been useful in my job search”: Disagree Neutral Agree
7.2% 29.5% 63.4%
13.7% 36.2% 50.1%
16.4% 37.5% 46.1%
20.2% 37.5% 42.3%
18.1% 40.4% 41.5%
14.9% 44.6% 40.4%
0% 50% 100%
EGSC career related events
Alumni networking events
Faculty
Department administration/ Career placement officer
Department sponsored career events
Personal contacts
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Center for Career Education (CCE)
43
“The following resources provided by CCE have been useful in my job search and application process:” Disagree Neutral Agree
12% 37% 51%
11% 38% 50%
11% 41% 49%
12% 42% 46%
10% 45% 45%
11% 44% 44%
9% 53% 38%
10% 53% 38%
0% 50% 100%
Counseling Sessions
Mock Interviews
2015-2016 Career Planning Guide
Workshops
Weekly Newsletters
LionShare
CCE Website
CCE Career Fairs
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Relevance of Career Fairs
Strongly Disagree Neutral Strongly Agree
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
CHENBMENMECEAPPHCEEMIEOREAEEELEN
DSICOMS
MSPhD
44
Career Development: Comments
45
� “My degree isn’t well-represented in career fairs.”� “Host them at different times of day. I wasn't able to attend any of them this
semester because I always had class at that time.”� “Services for people with experience would be helpful. Most of the jobs are
internships.”� “...separate events for different degree programs…”� “The more tailored the better. I found immense use from the All-Ivy Sustainability
Career Fair. For the large generic ones, I waited in line for over an hour to talk to 1-2 relevant companies.”
� “Efforts to setup a segregated organization of employer tables in the fair, based on the specialization of the hiring pool they are targeting, eg: zones of tables can be allotted for each of Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering etc.”
� “When filtering in the iOS app for the Career fair, it‘d be useful to have the option of not including those employers that do not list details about the desired majors or degrees.”
46
Student Life
Safety
47
Strongly disagree
1%
Disagree1%
Neutral8%
Agree47%
Strongly agree43%
“I feel safe on campus”
SVR and Gender-Based Misconduct
48
“I think the following resources are effective”:
0% 50% 100%
Presentation at orientation
Individual online movie viewing and reflection
Workshops and trainings
Live film screening and discussion
Sexual Respect Website
Small discussion groups & case studies
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Disagree Neutral Agree
14% 28% 58%
18% 28% 54%
15% 36% 49%
15% 37% 48%
16% 38% 46%
14% 42% 44%
Health Services: Columbia Psychological Services
49
Yes14%
I am too busy12%
I am too embarrassed
3%
I did not know about them
9%
I do not need them60%I was not aware of
the confidentiality in the process
2%
No86%
USE OF SERVICES
Dental Insurance
50
Have you ever deferred needed dental work while at Columbia due to lack of dental insurance?
No46%
Yes30%
Not applicable
24%
86% of students are enrolled in a voluntary dental plan.
Health Services: Usefulness
51
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Medical services at Columbia
Go Ask Alice!
Alice organized workshops
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Health Comments
52
� “The two-to-three-week waiting time is too long.”� “More dental and vision coverage needed, especially for
PhDs. The plan for PhDs needs to be on par with post-docs/staff/faculty.”
� “I need dental! Stress causes me to grind my teeth at night.”� “Please keep a cheaper option available for students who
don't really get sick all that often and don't need medical treatment much.”
� “I chose a better and cheaper insurance than the one provided by Columbia.”
Social: Satisfaction
53
I am satisfied with the overall sense of community:
1 3 5
MECE
COMS
CEEM
APPH
IEOR
CHEN
BMEN
DSI
ELEN
EAEEStrongly Disagree
5% Disagree13%
Neutral31%
Agree43%
Strongly Agree
8%
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Social: Satisfaction with Community Building Efforts
54
Strongly Disagree
4% Disagree7%
Neutral
32%Agree46%
Strongly Agree11%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
EGSC/GSA event capacity
Sense of community
Diversity of student groups
Number of social events and programs
Diversity of social events and programs
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral
Agree Strongly Agree
Social: Event Preference
55
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Interschool events
Themed social events
Events organized by student groups
Small on-campus gatherings
Organized sporting activities
Off Campus socials
Entertainment/Sports games/AMC movie nights
Performance Arts
Disagree Neutral Agree
Social: Peer Networking
56
Disagree Neutral Agree
8% 28% 64%
8% 35% 57%
8% 40% 52%
11% 43% 46%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Student group sponsored events
GSA events (including orientation)
EGSC events
Department sponsored events
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
Orientation Programming
57
“Orientation helped me become acclimated with”:
0% 50% 100%
New York City
Student groups
Columbia campus
SEAS
University resources
My department
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Disagree Neutral Agree
5% 21% 74%
9% 22% 70%
7% 25% 68%
10% 25% 66%
12% 35% 53%
16% 36% 48%
Orientation: Comments
58
� “It was hard to catch all of the information presented during orientation. There should be a website or handout given that recaps on all of the information that was discussed.”
� “More comprehensive view of resources/student groups on campus.”
� “Anything that would serve as a guide to students on how they can manage their time the best, would be very useful.”
� “Should provide them with suggestions about where to eat good food.”
� “Student-led shopping trips for new students.”� “Invite more continuing students.”
59
Libraries/Facilities
Library Use
60
“How many times per week do you frequent the Northwest Corner library?”
2015
037.8%
1-240.1%
3-412.1%
4+10.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Avery
Butler
Uris
SEL
0-1x 1-2x 2-3x 3-4x >4x
“How many times per week do you frequent the following libraries?”
Library Space Satisfaction
61
“The following resources at the Northwest Corner Library are useful to me”:
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Individual study and/or workspace
Group study and/or workspace
Reference materials
Computer terminals
Printing and scanning facilities
Hours of operation
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
1 2 3 4 5
Individual study and/or workspace
Group study and/or workspace
Reference materials
Computer terminals
Printing and scanning facilities
Hours of operation
PhD MS
Strongly disagree Strongly agree
Library Services: Comments
62
� “The online resources are a [sic] great [tools] for engineers.”� “Library hours are too short!” “24/7 library during midterms and
finals.” “Open the engineering library at 8am.”� “I find the amount of study space on campus insufficient. More
individual and group study space is needed.”� “More scanning facilities need to be introduced.”� “We need more outlets to plug in our computers”� “Library computers need engineering software on all computers.
Please make Matlab, Solidworks, and CATIA available.”� “Put carpet in the engineering library. I stopped studying there
because the sound of people in heavy shoes constantly walking on wood floors was distracting. Also, the soundproofing is inadequate when people speak loudly in the group study rooms.”
Space Facilities: Satisfaction
63
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Mudd classroom cleanliness
Department lounge
Cleanliness of laboratory and office space
Quality and maintenance of equipment in labs
Columbia Makerspace
Carleton Commons
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Technical Facilities: Satisfaction
64
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Wireless internet coverage
Wireless internet speed
Wired internet speed
Availability of engineering software for personal computers
Availability of engineering software in computer labs
Availability of advanced computing resources
Quality of CUIT technical support
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Blue Java Café: Satisfaction
65
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Availability of healthy food options
Hours of operation
Availability of food for dietary restrictions
Friendliness of staff
Cost
Cleanliness
Variety of food options
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
Housing: OCHA
66
“I am satisfied with the service provided by the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office (OCHA)”:
Strongly disagree8%
Disagree14%
Neutral37%
Agree32%
Strongly agree9%
Housing: UAH
67
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Helpful doorperson
Building security
Helpful superintendent
UAH helpful in issue resolution
Building maintenance
Quality of Internet service
Apartment renovations
Cost
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
68