Graduating Student Experiences

Spring 2001

N=103 of 201 (51.2%) candidates

(Individually identifiable responses have been deleted)

PART ONE. YOUR OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF YOUR UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCES

1. In general, how satisfied are you with your experiences at UMC?

Choice	Count	Percent
Very Dissatisfied	4	3.9%
Moderately Dissatisfied	2	1.9%
Slightly Dissatisfied	0	0.0%
Slightly Satisfied	8	7.8%
Moderately Satisfied	43	41.7%
Very Satisfied	46	44.7%

2. If you could start your undergraduate work over again, would you attend UMC?

Choice	Count	Percent
Definitely Not	1	1.0%
Probably Not	5	4.9%
Not Sure	17	16.5%
Probably Yes	43	41.7%
Definitely Yes	37	35.9%

Q.3 Please explain why or why not?

Responses of those indicating “Definitely Not”, “Probably Not”, or “Not Sure”:

• Too expensive, too far from home, and I've missed out on some great opportunities because of it.

• I liked the personal contact some of the faculty had, but some went a little to far and became involved in personal lives.

• There is too much emphisis on computers and being the most wired college!

• Not a really big fan of the town.

• the teachers in the program that i am in are very good at making people feel left out. when they(x?!xw&$) go to the bar with a group of us they talk about othere students in a demeening mannor. They make you feel that you will never accomplish anything and the freshman this year are too scared of the teachers to say anything.

• I believe that a graduate program for INM is not available. Either that I have not been made aware if is is available.

• I might have went to a community college first.

• Because my previous undergraduate emphasis was not my current major. If I were to start my undergraduate degree in my current major of INM, yes, I would attend UMC

• If I had to do it all over again I am not sure what I would do. I am satisfied with my experiences here at the University and I am pleased with where they have gotten me.

• It took me a while to really figure out what i wanted to do> Once i started my internship, i really found out what i wanted to do. UMC gave me the classes i needed for my job.

• Came here from x?!xw&$ and main reason was to play x?!xw&$, so if I just went to school and didn't play x?!xw&$ I would go somewhere closer to home.

• Because of all of the problems I have had with my advisor.

• Was unaware when first came about the advanced technology that is required of the students in daily work. Although the technology is great I feel that the use of Web CT classes is a hinderance to learning. I came to a college and live in the surrounding area to attend classes not to be told that every semester one of my classes will be only offered on line. I like the teacher interaction and am paying for the education not for me just to sit at home and teach myself.

Responses of those indicating “Probably Yes” or “Definitely Yes”:

• a very very friendly campus with professors that are willing to go that extra mile

• Because I have had an overall exciting time here at UMC while atending school. Not only have I met new friends, a pleasent learning experience but also I have developed a good relationship with the instructors and staff and UMC but also have become very fond with some of the businesses in town as well. because of this I feel that my time here is pricless and was very worth while.

• Because of the small atmosphere, friendly campus and labtop University.

• Becosue I like the one on one experiance I had in the class rooms. The computers take place second to none.

• Computers!!! Get to know your profs one on one!

• Due to the addition of classes that would interest me or be valuable to my career.

• good working environment, and not too many people

• Great People and one on one service.

• Great people at UMC, lots of activities going on, I like the small campus, and the laptop computers are great for education!

• Great staff, students, and learning environment. It's great to be able to have a conversation with faculty rather than be a number in the system.

• I am a non traditional student and have been welcomed with open arms.

• I am pleased with education at UMC

• I attend UMC because it was very transfer-friendly and allowed me to complete a degree in less time than if I had attended other schools.

• I believe that the INM program is changing for the better and I would look forward to the different and very useful classes that will be offered in the future.

• I enjoyed my educational experiences at UMC and feel in my four years I've gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

• I enjoyed my teachers and my learning experience as well as the freinds and good times I had.

• I enjoyed my time here at UMC. The laptops are a definite asset and I feel that they draw many people to attend UMC.

• I enjoyed nearly all of my professors. I liked having that much access to technology, and I am proud to be a UMC graduate. This campus is a very positive place to learn!

• I enjoyed the instructors in the Equine division in addition to this being one of a few University programs in the equine field.

• i feel that the campus is very friendly and the staff and teachers are great

• I feel UMC is a great school. I learned so much about technology and how its used in todays business world. I feel I gained considerable knowledge to asset me in my career.

• I feels that there is still a lot of uncertainty regardin many of newer programs hers ate UMC. In addition there were many things about UMC that I didn't like. Non-working equipment, attitudes of students etc.. teachers attitudes are not always the most friendliest environment, or they are way to busy to talk to you.

• I had access to many exciting opportunities here at UMC that I probably couldn't have received anywhere else because this school is so small; the student-teacher ratio is low. Also, the instructors in the NatR Dept. are phenomenal. They are not only instructors, but friends.

• I have had the experience of being on the collegiate crops judging team and doing other things involving 4-year colleges that offer agronomy. I can honestly say that UMC probably has the best agronomy "experience". Students learn hands on and are truly valuable in the industry.

For my x?!xw&$ degree, I think that the x?!xw&$ department does need a little work as far as how things are managed and how classes are run. Overall, I feel the x?!xw&$ program at UMC does need help and a restructuring to offer classes that are relevant to x?!xw&$ today and experiences that help students survive the job market.

• I like how you can call the teachers by their first names. Most teachers care how you are doing in the class.

• I like it here, I like the people and the over all experience.

• I like the atmosphere, like the instructors, not a number here, instructors get to know you.

• I like the computers and small "community" that UMC offers.

• I like the hands on and the class size

• I like the laptops and the experience that they give you.

• I like the notebook experience.

• I like the small school and the computer experience that comes with the education you receive here.

• I like the technology the school has to offer. I am familiar with things here as well.

• i liked the college size and hands on experience

• I love the experience and the personal relationships that you are able to establish here at UMC.

• I really enjoyed UMC because of the smaller classes. This played a very important part of my experience here. I think it's important for students to be able to get to know their professors, and that's just one of many advantages UMC has over larger schools. I also enjoyed the use of the laptop computers.

• I think the teachers are more strict at other schools. I like the fact that teachers are willing to compormise and bend teh rules just a little to help students out that are going through tough times, but I don't like it when students take advantage of those teachers when other students are working hard. I think the standards need to be raised, more high quality assignments, not busy work x?!xw&$. Teachers need to focus on what do they want us to learn from an assignment, not just to get points to give a grade!!! I think the education will improve with the seriousness of the assignments. Otherwise, students don't give a x?!xw&$ about x?!xw&$ assigments that don't challenge them or compete.

• I transferred to UMC because I was very impressed with the Agronomy program, which I think doesn't get recognized enough,it has been recognized through the country and employers are looking specifically for students from here. I am glad I came here and feel I have learned alot from the good instructors here esp. Marv Mattson and Chuck Habstritt-both who deserve alot of credit.

• I would come back because of the advances and improvements already made and potential improvements to be made to the ITM program.

• I would have liked a bit bigger school.

• I would like to have tried Division 1 hockey.

• I would probably attend UMC if I were to start over again because the laptop enabled me to learn so much more about my major than I would have from any other institution.

• I would start again for a number of reasons. First of all, I would start here again becase of the application of computers in my courses. I have enjoyed having the computer at my lab wherever I go on this campus. Second, I would start again here becasue of the new 10% society that has formed. I think the 10% society has the ability to provide a safe zone for gay & lesbian students, staff and faculty. Thirdly, I would attend this college again because of its excellent career services and information about jobs. The natural resources department has done an excellent job by giving the students links to available jobs. This college provides alot of activities and events for students too. The one reason why I would not attend this college in the future is because you don't have a track and field program. In high school, I enjoyed participating in track & field. When I came here, that was available for me. You have a nice track and it would be a sport that both males and female! s could participate in. However, I realize that having this sport would probably require an indoor facility. I totally understand that aspect of it. The bottum line is that I have enjoyed my 4 years of college here and would come here again.

• I would think of going to a school with a forestry degree.

• I've enjoyed the majority of my classes and happy to see that they are incorporating newer up to date class offering such as C++ and SQL. Very Important, only wish I had the chance to have taken them myself. =)

• If I were to do it all over again i would choose UMC over any other college. The people here are so friendly and made me feel right at home. My experience here for the most part has been wonderful!!

• It is a very good facility to go to school at. It is close to my parents home and they offer most of things that I want. The students are wonderful here and so are the professors.

• It is an excellent school for students seeking a fairly wide variety of degrees.

• It was just a great time of my life.

• It was wonderful having a one-on-one realtionship with all of my professors.

• like the teachers

• Need to have more social events... ex. dances at the armery not necessay johny holms dances just something to do.

• Originally came for the equine program, but was not satisfied with that, would rather keep horses a hobby than a career. SO i took up business...wish that UMC focused more on acedemics, gets frusterating having so many people in your class who don't care about that...and are just here to get by and play sports.

• Returning after sixteen years away from school, the faculty has been very supportive of my efforts to finish my four year degree.

• Teachers/Faculty are good to deal with for personal issues and seem to care about students.

• Technology get's better and classes are more in dept. exp. being messaging systems next year ect ect.

• The admosphere of this campus has encouraged me to achieve my greatest goals, and to become a part of so much.

• The Equine Program and having the laptop computers is what attracted me and what would probably make me come back...

• The laptop computers helped me learn tremendously. I can't imagine life without a computer now. I never even thought about going near a computer before I attended UMC.

• The laptop is a great benefit to students, and because of them I feel that we are given a more technology based education than many other schools. I also enjoy the small class sizes and the personal attention you get from the instructor's.

• The low class size is great. It provides the opportunity for closer interaction with teacher and other faculuty.

• The people here are very friendly and it is nice in this computer world to be involved in a program with IBM to have the ability to work with the computers that we are give to use.

• The small class sizes and relationships I have developed with instructors.

they(x?!xw&$) go to the bar with a group of us they talk about othere students in a demeening mannor. They make you feel that you will never accomplish anything and the freshman this year are too scared of the teachers to say anything.

We Need a Rodeo Arena and better facilities to keep rodeo horses.

• the technical advances

• The technology.

• This campus is so student friendly is it just unbelievable. I am so happy I chose to come here because I was/am treated like a gem. I have learned a lot while here because the faculty and staff care about the students.

• This college has been a good experience for me.

• This has been the best choice I have made in my entire life and I have no hesitation to say that. I am from a big city from a big country far away. Who would think I would find, pick and decide to go to UMC to get my precious college education that opens the doors for your future. I did and I am happy with that and I wouldnt ever hesitate to make that choice again.

• This school has given me a wonderful learning experience and I have enjoyed the opportunity to use a lap top computer and all the many opportunities I have had to get involved.

• UMC give me the chance to develop not only in my career but also in many other areas such as leadership,getting involved in the Student Association, make relationships with the community, make friends from all over the world, organize activities for a club, feel part of the campus, have the support of the staff and faculty, take the initiave to improve the life of the student on campus. UMC has also high technology and the experience of using a laptop for the whole career makes a big difference for the workplace. At UMC the student is a person, not a number. I like the atmosphere where there's a lot of interaction between student and teacher; that's when real learning takes place. Teamwork is a vital element for whatever we do and here is implemented in every class.

• UMC is a great school

• UMC is a pretty convenient school for me to attend since it's close to home (Forks area) and I like the laptop computers.

• UMC offered the exact degree I was looking for. While I wasn't sure about the quality of the degree when I first started I'm quite certain that it will give me a leg up when entering the work force.

• UMC offered the program that i was interested in and a small class size.

• UMC offers so much with the Laptop education and the small class size which is awesome. I just wished that they would have offered more options for classes, such as photography classes or stuff that you can take as another option to fill the electives. Stuff that would be fun.

• Yes, I love the rural, close-knit community established on campus. The Horticulture program is outstanding and very personalized. I love how I'm a person here, not just a number.

PART TWO. YOUR ASSESSMENT OF YOUR UNIVERSITY COURSEWORK AND INSTRUCTORS.

4. Looking back on your general education (not your major) classes at UMC, how would you rate these classes on each of the following:

Q.4-1 The overall quality of the instruction?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	6	5.9%
Very Good	50	49.0%
Good	39	38.2%
Fair	7	6.9%
Poor	0	0.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-2 The extent to which the courses appropriately challenged your abilities?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	7	6.8%
Very Good	46	44.7%
Good	40	38.8%
Fair	9	8.7%
Poor	1	1.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-3 The extent to which the courses prepared you for more advanced courses?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	12	11.7%
Very Good	38	36.9%
Good	40	38.8%
Fair	12	11.7%
Poor	0	0.0%
Very Poor	1	1.0%

Q.4-4 The size of the classes?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	37	35.9%
Very Good	36	35.0%
Good	25	24.3%
Fair	5	4.9%
Poor	0	0.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-5 The amount of discussion and team projects (rather than lecture)?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	12	11.7%
Very Good	33	32.0%
Good	41	39.8%
Fair	15	14.6%
Poor	2	1.9%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-6 The instructors' ability to communicate their knowledge to students?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	10	9.7%
Very Good	41	39.8%
Good	40	38.8%
Fair	11	10.7%
Poor	1	1.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-7 The accessibility of instructors to meet with students outside of class?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	28	27.5%
Very Good	34	33.3%
Good	29	28.4%
Fair	9	8.8%
Poor	2	2.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-8 The feedback you were given on your performance?

Question	Count	Percentage Answered
Excellent	11	10.7%
Very Good	31	30.1%
Good	46	44.7%
Fair	15	14.6%
Poor	0	0.0%
Very Poor	0	0.0%

Q.4-9 The incorporation of the use of notebook computers and other technologies into courses?

Question

Count

Percentage Answered