COUNSELING CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR OF UMCP STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
TOWARD THE MARYLAND STUDENT UNION
Dennis W. Webster and William E. Sedlacek
Research Report # 3-81
This study was funded by the Maryland Student Union.
The computer time for this project was supported in full through the facilities of Computer Science Center, University of Maryland.
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COUNSELING CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR OF UMCP STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
TOWARD THE MARYLAND STUDENT UNION
Dennis W. Webster and William E. Sedlacek
Research Report # 3-81
SUMMARY
Responses from 552 (74% return rate) students and employees of the University
Of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) about their attitudes and behavior towards the
Maryland Student Union (MSU) yielded the following sample of findings among the
many presented in the report:
· The typical respondent was a single (79%), white (70%), undergraduate (71%) female (51%). She was a 21 year old junior (21%) who commuted (60%) to school, using personal transportation (69%). She was most likely to arrive on campus daily between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., and leave campus between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. The local radio stations she most frequently listened to were WRQX (20%) and WWDC (14%). Between classes she most frequently spent time in the libraries (30%) or the place where she lived (27%). She was likely to use the MSU approximately four times a week.
· There was a generally positive attitude toward the MSU among students and employees.
· The MSU was viewed as a facility where students (more than employees) could go just to meet with friends. Although all students held this view, international, Asian and black undergraduates were more likely to feel this way than were graduate students.
· A greater proportion of Hispanic and black undergraduates spent most of their time between classes in the MSU than white undergraduates.
· Diamondback ads (80%), Diamondback articles (49%), posters (54%), and word-of-mouth (50%) were the four most typical methods used to. obtain information about programs/events held in the MSU.
· After 7:00 p.m., during the week, was the most convenient time for most to attend MSU programs.
· Films (40%), arts and crafts fairs (36%), and games and tournaments (20%) were the programs/activities attended by the largest percentages of people.
· Textbooks (94%), Roy Rogers (92I), rest rooms (85%), bulletin boards (84%), the Hoff movie theater (79%), and the information center (76%) were the resources used by the largest proportion of individuals.
· The wide use of information and publicity services such as the bulletin boards to read information (84%), the information center (76%), and the Diamondback dispenser (66%) highlights the role of the MSU as an information exchange for the entire campus. These services were likely to have a greater frequency of use by MSU patrons than other services.
· International students tended to differ most often from the other groups in their usage of food services. International students were more likely to eat breakfast at the MSU than were employees and black students; international students ate lunch more frequently than did white students, graduate students, and employees; and international students ate snacks more regularly than did graduate students and employees.
· Overall, the MSU food services were viewed as being "good," or "o.k.".
· Roy Rogers was the most widely used, food service (92%), with quality of food and service reported as the most frequent reasons for liking it.
· The cafeteria was the least preferred food service, with quality of food and a dislike for specific foods served cited as the reasons.
· The University Book Center was preferred to the Maryland Book Exchange (53% to 47%), primarily because of location.
· Tournaments and games have shown the greatest increase in use over a four year period (11% to 20%).
· The percentage of people willing to pay slight increases in fees to support new services remained at 21% over the four year period, but there was an increase from 40% to 50% in the percentage of people saying perhaps they would pay.
· In 1977 no food services were used by at least 50% of the respondents, while in 1981, Roy Rogers, the Macke Machine rooms, and the Food Co-Op were all used by more than 50%.
· Of those using the Macke Machine rooms, 50% went there to eat, 20% for recreation and games, 20% to work, and 10% to meet with friends.
· An inexpensive steak house (29%), a tape/record lending library (23%), and horseback riding (22%) were the three most favored suggested additions to MSU services and facilities.
The mission of the Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park, is pluralistic, and includes educational, developmental and recreational objectives. Highly diversified programs and services support the multifaceted mission of the Maryland Student Union (MSU). MSU activities enhance programming for socio-cultural functions on campus and provide for development and programming related to the work of academic departments. Efforts toward maintaining diversity in programming are thwarted by a concern for "financial stability." Hubler (1980) opens his 1979-80 Maryland Student Union Annual Report with the statement: "Financial concerns best .characterized the Maryland Student Union throughout the past year." Spelman (1980) discusses the impact financial pressures have had on student unions over the past decade, and in addition, identifies other concerns that have an impact on unions. These include:
(1) A continuing pressure for improved accountability.
(2) A continuing need to respond to pressures related to societal issues, including affirmative action, consumerism, handicapped, safety, etc. a
(3) Continued and increasing demands for statistical documentation, comparative studies, internal and external analyses, and other means of measuring management efficiency and effectiveness of facilities.
To address these concerns and to enhance the effectiveness of the MSU, a survey of the campus community was conducted in 1977. This survey provided an assessment and documentation of MSU's user characteristics and attitudes, usage patterns, and future service options (Foster, Lea, Wasserman and Handley, 1977; Adelstein, 1977).
The purposes of the present study were to replicate and expand the 1977 study, to critically evaluate current services, to gather information regarding potential additional services, and to determine the patterns and reactions of
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minority group students to the MSU.
Questionnaire and Procedures
The questionnaire employed was a modification of that used by Foster et al. (1977) and was developed by the researchers in consultationwith MSU and other UMCP staff (see Appendix).
The MSU survey was mailed to a random sample of 840 individuals stratified by campus status (undergraduate students by race, graduate students., faculty, associate and classified staff), with the number of each group based on the proportion of representation in the campus population.
One hundred and thirty-four people were dropped from the sample due to incorrect addresses or phone numbers, or faculty being on leave. Returns were received from 522 of the 706 potential respondents, for a 74% return rate.
All questionnaires wee returned using a procedure where respondents mailed in a coded postcard separate from. the uncoded questionnaire, thus allowing for anonymity. Followup post cards and phone calls were used arcs free movie, bowling, book store, or dining service couponswere given to respondents as incentives
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed. by chi square, analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc tests at the .05 level for seven groupings: (1) employees (which included faculty, associate and classified staff), (2) graduate students (which included special students), and five undergraduate groups (3) Asian, (4) black, (5) Hispanic, (6) international, and (7) white undergraduates. Responses to items 43, 45 and 48 were rated by three independent judges according to categories developed by the writers.
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Results
The typical respondent was a single (79%), white (70%), undergraduate (71%) female (51%). She was a 21 year old junior (21%) who commuted (60%) to school, using personal transportation (69%). She was likely to arrive on campus daily between 7:30 and 9:00 o’clock a.m. and leave campus between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. The local radio stations she most frequently listened to were WRQX (20%) and WWDC (14%). Between classes she most frequently spent time in the libraries (30%) or the place where she lived (27%). She was likely to use the MSU approximately four times a week.
Table 1 shows the characteristics of the study sample compared to the UMCP campus population. Throughout this report column percentages may not add to 100%, due to rounding.
Characteristics of Sample and UMCP Campus Population
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Sample* |
Fall, 1980** Population |
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N |
% |
N |
% |
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Employees (Faculty, Classifed, Associate Staff) |
41 |
8 |
7550 |
17 |
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Graduate Students |
83 |
16 |
7550 |
17 |
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Special Students |
3 |
*** |
1747 |
4 |
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Undergraduates |
395 |
76 |
28567 |
63 |
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Totals |
522 |
100% |
45414 |
100% |
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Table 1 (continued)
Characteristics of Sample and UMCP Campus Population
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Sample* |
Fall, 1980** Population |
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Undergraduates by Class |
N |
% |
N |
% |
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Seniors |
100 |
25 |
7566 |
26 |
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Juniors |
107 |
27 |
6365 |
22 |
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Sophmores |
97 |
25 |
6198 |
22 |
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Freshmen |
91 |
23 |
8438 |
30 |
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Totals |
395 |
100% |
28567 |
100% |
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Sample* |
Fall, 1980** Population |
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Undergraduates by Race |
N |
% |
N |
% |
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Black |
30 |
8 |
2307 |
8 |
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White |
276 |
70 |
23610 |
79 |
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Hispanic |
24 |
6 |
555 |
2 |
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American Indian |
2 |
*** |
117 |
*** |
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International Students |
13 |
3 |
569 |
2 |
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Asian |
41 |
10 |
1097 |
4 |
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Other |
9 |
2 |
1759 |
6 |
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Totals |
395 |
100% |
30014 |
100% |
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Sample* |
Fall, 1980** Population |
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Sample by Sex |
N |
% |
N |
% |
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Male |
258 |
49 |
23947 |
53 |
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Female |
263 |
51 |
21467 |
47 |
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Totals |
521 |
100% |
45414 |
100% |
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* Columns may not equal 100% due to rounding.
** Office of Institutional Studies, UMCP, supplied population data
*** Less than 1%
What general attitudes were held toward the MSU?
Generally favorable attitudes existed toward the MSU, its staff and facilities. Data in Tables 2 and 3 indicate that:
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6.
Table 2.
Means and Standard Deviations for Items Describing Attitudes
Toward the MSU
ITEMS MEAN* S.D.
20. I usually have a pleasant experience in the MSU. 2.22 .75
21. The MSU staff (does not include food and
bookstore staff) are often unpleasant. 3.59 .83
22. MSU programs are fairly imaginative. 2.79 .72
23. The MSU staff (does not include food and
bookstore staff) are usually helpful. 2.33 .72
24. The MSU is usually clean. 2.47 .95
25. My feelings about the MSU are mostly negative. 4.00 .83
26. The MSU is somewhat inadequate at filling my
needs. 3.24 .98
27. The MSU is an unattractive building. 3.59 .96
28. The MSU staff (does not include food and book
store staff) are usually not available. 3.44 .79
29. The MSU offers culturally relevant programs/
activities. 2.72 .77
30. I can usually find my way around the MSU. 2.77** .98
31. The MSU staff makes an effort to provide a
variety of programs. 2.44 .74
32. The MSU is not a place where I can go just
to relax. 3.01 1.20
33. I sometimes go to the MSU just to walk around. 2.77** 1.30
34. I only go to the MSU when I have a-specific task to
accomplish (i.e., eat, shop, attend meetings, etc.) 2.74 1.29
35. There are times when the MSU is so crowded I
choose to go to another place. 2.47 1.14
36. I sometimes go to the MSU just to be with people. 3.18** 1.15
37. The MSU provides programs/activities for students
from a variety of cultures. 2.58** .85
* 1=Strongly agree; 5=Strongly disagree
** Subgroups differ at .05 level
Table 3.
Means and Standard Deviations for Items on Which Subgroups Differ
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ITEMS |
Employees Mean S.D. |
Graduate
Mean S.D. |
White Mean |
S.D. |
Black Mean |
S.D. |
Hispanic Mean S.D. |
Internet. Mean S.D. |
Asian Mean |
S.D. |
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30. |
I can usually find my |
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way around the MSU. |
2.68 |
1.13 |
2.42 |
1.02 |
1.99 |
.92 I |
1.90 |
.80 |
1.83 |
.76 |
2.31 |
1.03 |
2.03 |
1.07 |
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33. |
I sometimes go the MSU |
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.just to walk around. |
3.43 |
1.37 |
3.05 |
1.30 |
2.68 |
1.28 |
2.27 |
1.17 |
2.50 |
1.38 |
2.38 |
.96 |
2.92 |
1.26 |
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36. |
I sometimes go to the |
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MSU just to be with |
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J |
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people. |
4.05 |
.97 |
3.46 |
1.16 |
3.15 |
1.15 |
2.73 |
1.05 |
2.92 |
1.35 |
2.46 |
.97 |
2.68 |
1.10 |
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37. |
The MSU provides pro- |
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rams/activities for |
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students from a variety |
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of cultures. |
2.65 |
.59 |
3.04 |
.79 |
2.44 |
.81 |
2.67 |
1.03 |
2.29 |
.91 |
2.92 |
1.26 |
2.57 |
.83 |
Summary of Attitudes Toward the MSU
Results indicated that a generally positive attitude existed toward the MSU despite differences as to why people use the MSU. The MSU is a place where most people went to accomplish specific tasks, but others (especially black undergraduates, but least of all, employees) went there just to walk around.
The MSU also was viewed as a facility where students (more than employees) could go just to meet with friends. Although all students held this view, international, Asian and black undergraduates were more likely to feel this way than were graduate students. Thus the MSU was used by a cross section of the campus population for a variety of reasons, and it served as a place where minority students felt they could go to walk around or be with friends.
MSU Usage
What proportion of the sample spent most of there time between classes in the MSU? What were these individuals most likely to do in the MSU?
Table 4 provides information relevant to these questions.
· Fourteen percent of the respondents spent most of their time between classes in the MSU.
· A greater proportion of the Hispanic (23%) and black undergraduates (21%)
spent time in the MSU than did white undergraduates (16%).
· Libraries (30%), residences (27%), and offices (17%) were places where
the largest proportion of all respondents spent their time between
classes.
· Individuals who spent most of their time between classes in the MSU
were most likely to spend this time meeting with friends (347).
· Studying (21%) and eating (21%) were also activities most frequently
engaged in between classes. Students and employees also shopped
and ran errands (10%), worked (5%), and slept (2%) at the MSU.
Table 4.
Places Where Respondents Spend Most of Their Time Between Classes (Item 17)
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Places |
Total Sample |
Employees |
Graduate |
White |
Black |
Hispanic |
Internat. |
Asian |
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% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Libraries |
30** |
9 |
32 |
27 |
28 |
44 |
54 |
53 |
|
MSU |
14** |
3 |
7 |
16 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
10 |
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Mall area |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Lounges--Classroom Buildings |
8** |
0 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
22 |
0 |
3 |
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Coffeehouses/Restaurants (other than MSU) |
1 |