The Lake scored high marks in terms of student satisfaction according to the recently released results of the 2006-2007 OLLU Graduating Student Survey. Survey results revealed that students are thoroughly satisfied with their academic development and overall experience while attending OLLU.

The survey focused on three key areas including student learning outcomes, instruction and instructors, and the different university departments.

Three hundred and forty-five undergraduate and graduate students participated in the survey prior to their graduation. The survey asked students to compare their learning abilities when first entering OLLU to their abilities at the time of graduation. Overall, students said they made considerable improvements in 14 different areas but gave the highest ratings to being able to speak and write more clearly and effectively, as well as being able to think analytically and logically.

Survey participants also indicated that they liked the quality of instruction that they received at the Lake. Students gave 90 percent or better ratings to the quality of instruction, instructor competence and faculty-student relations.

Current graduate student Jo Anna Gutierrez reaffirms the survey’s findings. “I love the small classes and also the instructors because they know you personally. They are like friends.”
While the overall results of the survey were primarily positive, there were a few key areas where students indicated that they would like to see improvements such as the quality of academic advising, financial aid, the cafeteria, the SubConnection and the C-Store.

The study’s author, Lei Wang, manager evaluations/outcomes assessment, says that because of the continuous surveys they conduct each year, the university is able to make significant improvements in critical areas such as academic advising and other university units.

“Because of the surveys, there has been a lot of progress in so many ways. These surveys help us to continue to improve the university in important academic and service areas,” Wang said.

According to the survey, one-third of students were dissatisfied with the Financial Aid Office. In response, the Financial Aid Office is currently working on improving its service to students.

Financial Aid Interim Director Esmerelda Flores says she believes students may feel dissatisfied with the department for a number of reasons: (1) staff turnover, (2) confusion about the financial aid process, and (3) miscommunication and information that students receive from outside sources.

Flores says they are improving the financial aid process by updating the Web site and published materials, providing a financial aid process checklist, automating processes to give counselors more time to counsel and educate students on an individual basis as well as implementing additional staff training to better assist students.

Students gave Library Services and the Assessment Center the most positive rating in terms of academic support and administrative offices.

“Overall, our recent graduates are satisfied with their experience and education at the Lake,” adds Wang. “I think we will continue to do well if we continue improving. We are a student-centered university.”

Like survey respondents indicated, Gutierrez also says she’s enjoyed her experience here so far. “The Lake is like a small town in a big city. You get a lot of personal attention here.”