Demographics
Demographic data descriptive of the respondents to both the 1993 and 1996 survey were consistent among surveys. In addition, the survey sample reflects the demographics of the campus undergraduate student population. Mean age of respondents to both surveys was 24 years. The most represented racial/ ethnic group among respondents to both surveys was white (app. 80%), while the least represented group was American Indian/ Alaskan Native (app. 1%). Asian Americans constituted 7% of the respondents on both surveys.
Undergraduate students in their freshmen and senior years of study were equally represented in both surveys (app. 4% and 50%, respectively). However, significantly more sophomores and less juniors were represented in the 1993 survey compared to the 1996 survey.
Advising: Source and Process
In 1993, 9% of respondents indicated that they had never seen an advisor at UNR; in 1996, 22% indicated that they had not seen an advisor. Students who reported that they have an advisor were asked a series of adviser-related questions. Three fourths of all respondents (both years) reported that they had not chosen their advisor; instead, they were assigned an advisor. Fewer students reported that their primary source of advising was a departmental faculty member in 1996 (54%) than in 1993 (64%). While 7% of 1996 respondents reported that they receive the majority of their advising information from friends, 1% reported similarly in 1993. Current (1996) respondents who reported that the majority of their advising information comes from the university catalog comprised 24%; the 1993 survey did not include this option. Average meeting length of advising meetings was reported to be between 5 and 15 minutes on both surveys.
Current (1996) students reported less satisfaction with the accuracy of information provided by their advisor (59% satisfied) than 1993 respondents (76% satisfied). More 1993 survey respondents (75%) agreed with the statement "My advisor is approachable and easy to talk to" than current respondents (56%). More 1993 respondents (67%) agreed that their advisor is helpful in selecting courses than 1996 respondents (51%).
Student Expectations of Advising Content and Perceptions of Advising Adequacy Related to those Topics
Students who responded to the 1993 survey were asked to rank how important selected issues were to them during advising meetings. They were also asked to indicate their satisfaction with some of the issues. Students who completed the 1996 survey were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with a larger quantity of the issues. Responses are summarized in the following chart.
| Advising Issue | % Students Indicating Topic was Important in 1993 | % Students Indicating Satisfaction with Topic in 1993 | % Students Indicating Satisfaction with Topic in 1996 |
| Accurate information regarding major requirements | 97 | 76 | 59 |
| Accurate information regarding university / college requirements | 97 | - | 43 |
| Providing guidance in choosing the best courses to meet needs | 93 | 67 | 51 |
| Guidance regarding graduate school opportunities | 82 | - | 25 |
| Providing Job Information for graduating students | 74 | - | 24 |
| Maintaining advising meeting content in a confidential manner | 73 | - | 58 |
Responses to the statement "My advisor is approachable and easy to talk to" reveal that 75% agreed with the statement in 1993, while 56% agreed with it in 1996. In addition, 58% of 1993 respondents agreed with the statement "I would recommend my advisor to other students" while 50% agreed in 1996. Most respondents were neutral (opting to neither agree or disagree) with respect to the statement "The advisement given in the SOAR/ Orientation sessions was helpful" in 1993 and 1996. This may indicate that the majority of these students did not attend the SOAR/ Orientation program.
LINKS TO 1996 ADVISING SURVEY SECTIONS
Student Responses | Department
Responses |
1993 and 1996 Comparison
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