Global Assessment of Campus Climate at University of Göttingen: Masters' Students Survey

Student and Academic Services - Quality Management Department ANDREA D. B HRMANN, CHRISTINA H HMANN Global Assessment of Campus Climate in Europe and Asia Focusing on the Example of Masters' students at the University of G ttingen

International survey of Masters' students Students and degree programmes in G ttingen Profile of the University of G ttingen: recognised worldwide, strong in research and attractive to first-class academics and students from home and abroad Europe Teaching Ranking: Europe teaching 2018: ranked 38 (second best in Germany) committed to providing forward-looking, innovative teaching based on high quality research, Number of Students: 31,654 International students: 4,129 (13%) Countries of origin: 141 Total number of degree programmes: 197, including 80 Masters' degree programme (41%) 2

International survey of Masters' students Quality assurance in G ttingen Accreditation and reaccreditation procedures Regular evaluations of courses Annual survey of graduates focused on the search for employment and career start takes place 1.5 years after graduation Occasional study orientation, study phase and workload surveys as required Established quality assurance structures both centrally and within faculties Analysis of survey tool data and development of quality improvement measures 3

International survey of Masters' students Survey process Survey phase: 6 weeks in winter 2019 (18th January to 2nd March) Survey group: Masters' students at the University of G ttingen Master and Master of Education from 1st to 5th semester (4,646 students) Personal online survey invitation by e-mail Survey takes place in English Average duration of survey 48 minutes Creating incentive systems to stimulate survey participation Marketing strategies (e.g. postcards, info e-mails, homepage) 4

International survey of Masters' students Survey overview Overview of survey data Basic population 4,646 students Survey participants 1,212 students Completed surveys 769 survey participants (more than 50 % of questions answered in first section of questionnaire 'Your Program') Response rate (gross) 16.55 % Exclusion* refusals 858 Agriculture and Forest Sciences students 11 refusals Response rate (net) 20.36 % * 858 students of agricultural and forestry sciences had to be excluded from the survey due to a lack of fit in the questionnaire. 5

International survey of Masters' students Overall assessment of campus life Stress factors Barriers Study progress Campus life Workload Satisfaction Atmosphere 6

International survey of Masters' students Stress factors Not at all or slightly stressful factors (in per cent) Extremely or very stressful factors (in per cent) Pursuing outside interests and Accessing affordable childcare 4.4% 42.0% avocations Concerns about my personal safety 8.4% Maintaining a healthy diet 42.6% Finding desirable employment after completing my degree The ability to practice my faith 10.4% 64.9% Instances of bias, discrimination, or Completing my degree in a timely 13.3% 66.6% unfairness manner Maintaining a high level of academic My relationship with my friends 19.1% 73.4% performance 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% Question: Over the course of the last academic year, how stressful has each of the following been? 7

International survey of Masters' students Workload (weekly workload university assignments) Reading, preparing for classes, and other academic activities outside class 6.9% 77.6% 15.5% Conducting your own research 26.4% 56.5% 17.0% Searching and applying for funding to support your studies/research 57.6% 39.4% 3.2% Working on your dissertation/thesis 41.9% 38.7% 19.4% Using library resources 11.7% 78.6% 9.6% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0 hours per week 1 to 20 hours per week 21 to 30 hours per week Question: This academic year, how many hours do you spend in a typical week (7 days) on the following activities? 8

International survey of Masters' students Workload (weekly workload employment) Employed as a Researcher at the University 84.5% 11.8% 3.7% Employed as a Teaching Assistant at the University 86.6% 12.4% 0.8% Employed in other position at the University 77.6% 20.1% 2.2% Employed in other position off-campus 6.2% 30.7% 6.1% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0 hours per week 1 to 20 hours per week 21 to 30 hours per week Question: This academic year, how many hours do you spend in a typical week (7 days) on the following activities? 9

International survey of Masters' students Workload (weekly workload extramural exercises) Performing community service or volunteer activities 65.3% 34.3% 0.5% Participating in student clubs or organizations 67.8% 31.9% 0.4% Participating in department, college, or university governance 84.9% 14.3% 0.9% Participating in physical exercise, recreational sports, or other physically active hobbies 10.5% 87.8% 1.7% Participating in meditation or meditative activities 69.1% 30.1% 0.8% Participating in spiritual or religious activities 81.3% 17.7% 1.0% Household responsibilities, taking care of children 33.8% 63.5% 2.7% Social activities with friends 3.5% 93.4% 3.1% Spending time on entertainment from television, internet and other media 2.7% 87.7% 9.7% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0 hours per week 1 to 20 hours per week 21 to 30 hours per week Question: This academic year, how many hours do you spend in a typical week (7 days) on the following activities? 10

International survey of Masters' students Atmosphere on your study programme Involvement of faculty (in per cent) Sense of belonging (in per cent) Overall, the environment or climate is positive and welcoming Faculty members in my graduate/professional program are available to talk with me 91.5% 92.2% Students respect other students regardless of their background Faculty encourage expression of diverse viewpoints 83.9% 90.9% from their students I have friends in my My department creates a collegial and supportive 83.2% 88.9% environment graduate/professional program There are open lines of communication between students and faculty regarding student needs, concerns, and suggestions I belong in my graduate/professional 81.6% 87.6% program Faculty members in my graduate/professional program give me positive reinforcement for my I am proud to be a student in my graduate/professional program 75.5% 84.3% accomplishments There is a sense of solidarity among Students are given an active role in departmental decisions that affect them 64.4% 83.2% the students 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current graduate/professional programme? Analysis of variables Agree to Strongly agree 11

International survey of Masters' students Atmosphere on your study programme Equality (in per cent) Fairness (in per cent) The climate for male colleagues in my program/department is at least as good as it 96.7% is for female colleagues Faculty members in my graduate/professional program treat me fairly 93.7% The climate for religious minority colleagues in my program/department is at least as good as it is for non-religious minority colleagues 94.2% The climate for LGBT colleagues in my program/department is at least as good as it 92.9% is for heterosexual colleagues 92.6% Faculty respect students regardless of their background Rules and regulations are equitably applied 88.6% The climate for female colleagues in my program/department is at least as good as 91.7% it is for male colleagues The climate for racial/ethnic minority colleagues in my program/department is at least as good as it is for non-minority colleagues 90.5% The climate for disabled colleagues in my program/department is at least as good Rules and regulations 85.6% 87.9% as it is for non-disabled colleagues are fair The climate for international colleagues in my program/department is at least as 84.7% good as it is for domestic colleagues 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0.0%20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current graduate/professional programme? Analysis of variables Agree to Strongly agree 12

International survey of Masters' students Barriers to progress on your study programme 40.0% 29.1% 28.6% 30.0% 20.9% 19.8% 19.0% 17.1% 20.0% 16.6% 15.7% 15.6% 14.8% 12.1% 12.0% 10.7% 10.0% 0.0% Research load Course availability Course load Inadequate advice obligations field of study practicum, etc.) Teaching load Family responsibilities or on submitted work Emotional health problems Slow or inadequate feedback Timing of qualifying events Poor or uncertain research (internship, (e.g., qualifying exams) employment prospects after than course work and degree completion Diminished interest in the Inadequate financial support Curricular requirements other Question: Rate the extent to which the following factors have been an obstacle to your degree progress. Analysis of selection To a large extent and To a very large extent 13

International survey of Masters' students Satisfaction with study programme 100.0% 89.5% 87.4% 85.6% 84.6% 84.3% 83.1% 81.4% 81.4% 76.0% 75.2% 80.0% 60.0% 44.3% 39.2% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% are paying equipment support practices) Quality of IT (computer, etc.) Quality of advice (supervision) Knowledge gained Departmental climate (atmosphere, policies, Opportunities for teaching Quality of instruction Quality of university library Financial support; funding Quality of support staff Quality of facilities and are getting for the money you Opportunities for research resources and support Value of the education you Question: To what extent are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the following aspects of your graduate/professional programme? Analysis of selection Satisfied to Very satisfied 14

International survey of Masters' students Conclusion on overall assessment of campus life Most time during semester was spent by Masters' students on university assignments. 87.2 per cent of Masters' students found the atmosphereon their studies and at the university more than good. Campus life 15.6 per cent of Masters' students feel their study progress was most often hindered by the choice of courses and course workload. 47.7 per cent of G ttingen Masters' students describe study-related stress factors as their main source of stress. 76.0 per cent of Masters' students are satisfied with their studies and with the University of G ttingen. 15

International survey of Masters' students Conclusion Important feedback tool for improving study conditions Comprehensive information on studies Students are enabled to help improve teaching and learning Adjusting the questionnaire Six-digit individual PIN for each students, to ensure targeted approach and analysis of representativeness Adapt questions to the faculty and the degree programmes at the University of G ttingen Improving communication with partner institutions 16

International survey of Masters' students Contact Faculty of Social Sciences G ttingen Diversity Research Institute Student and Academic Services Quality Management Department Christina H hmann Tel.: +49 (0)551-39 21899 Prof. Dr. Andrea D. B hrmann Tel.: +49 (0)551-39 20253 e-mail: andrea-dorothea.buehrmann@uni- goettingen.de e-mail: seru.befragung@uni-goettingen.de Homepage: www.uni-goettingen.de/seru 17