[Web4lib] User Satisfaction and Facilities

[Tom Keays]

This isn't what you are looking for but related. This is summarized
from the Chronicle. What is encouraging is how high libraries fall on
the list.

http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/05/2006053002n.htm

Students at 46 institutions in the United States and Canada
participated in the online survey that produced the data for a report,
"The Impact of Facilities on Recruitment and Retention of Students."

http://www.appa.org/FacilitiesManager/article.cfm?ItemNumber=2567&parentid=2542

The study, conducted by the Association of Higher Education Facilities
Officers, shows the extent to which students are concerned about
campus facilities and their upkeep. Some students, according to the
survey, reject colleges if certain facilities are unavailable or if
buildings are poorly maintained.

    "Buildings related to academics are the most important," says
    David A. Cain, vice president and associate in the
    higher-education sector of Carter & Burgess, a consulting
    company. "Students really want to know what type of facilities
    are in their major." ... [C]olleges that have neglected their
    facilities can no longer afford to ignore their importance.
    "Long-range planning for new construction and the repair and
    replacement of existing facilities and infrastructure must be a
    guiding principle within the context of the institution's
    strategic plans and overall academic mission." ...

    Nearly three out of 10 students spurned a college because it
    lacked a facility they thought was important. Chief among those
    facilities were buildings to support the student's major and open
    space. ...

    Inadequate or poorly maintained facilities, particularly
    dormitories, were factors almost as important as the absence of a
    facility. Twenty-six percent of respondents rejected an
    institution because an important facility was inadequate, and
    16.6 percent nixed a college because an important facility was
    poorly maintained.

Following are facilities that the survey's respondents deemed
"extremely important" or "very important" when they were selecting a
college:

* Facilities for major: 73.6 percent
* Library: 53.6 percent
* Sophisticated technology: 50.9 percent
* Classrooms: 49.8 percent
* Residence halls: 42.2 percent
* Exercise facilities: 35.6 percent
* Bookstore: 34.6 percent
* Open space: 34.4 percent
* Student recreation facilities: 32.3 percent
* Science/engineering facilities: 29.6 percent
* Dining halls: 28.6 percent
* Performing-arts center: 21.8 percent
* Student union: 21.3 percent
* Visual-arts center: 15.3 percent
* Intramural-sports facilities: 14.8 percent
* Varsity-athletics facilities: 14.2 percent

-- 
Tom