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Surveyed Ag. grads positive, but suggest improvements

The U of S College of Agriculture is a large operation – a $24-million-per-year enterprise with 350 employees, more than 1,100 on-site students, and teaching, research and extension links to dozens of corporations and agencies around the world.

So, how can such a complex College take stock of how well it’s doing its job?

Well, it can carry out a comprehensive self-analysis – and, in fact, it’s now in the midst of doing exactly that, as the first U of S college to conduct a systematic program review of its instructional programs, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and learning outcomes.

The results of that intensive review won’t be known for months – but the College has just made one very revealing part of that review process public.

Lyle Elmgren, the College’s Co-ordinator of Academic Programs and Communication, says the just-released results of a fall 1999 survey of 323 BSA (Bachelor of Science in Agriculture) graduates from the five years 1995-99 show that recent students give the College a high rating.

Overall, Elmgren says, 51.4 per cent of the surveyed grads said they were "very satisfied" with the BSA program, and 47.4 per cent were "satisfied" – for a 98.8 per cent approval rating.

The grads’ ratings for some aspects of their programs rated nearly as high, while certain facets of the program received lukewarm praise and prompted some suggestions for improvement.

"There’s a high degree of satisfaction with the program they went through," Elmgren says.

"That, and their willingness to help the College in future endeavors, shows that they have a good feeling towards it."

Dr. Ernie Barber

Dean of Agriculture Ernie Barber says the survey results, both positive and negative, will be taken into consideration as part of the thorough systematic program review which the College is currently undertaking as part of the University-level review of all academic programs.

Elmgren provides the following detailed results of the survey, conducted by Calibre Strategic Services, of Saskatoon, by telephone last Oct. 22-27 with 323 1995-99 grads, representing 51.5 per cent of the College’s graduates in that time.

He says the survey’s aim was "to determine the level of satisfaction of BSA graduates with their educational experience, to identify gaps between student expectations and what the BSA program offered, and to determine the value of the BSA program to graduates pursuing professional careers in agriculture."

• 85.4% strongly agreed or agreed that they had gained a good understanding of the agriculture industry in the BSA program.

• 90.1% strongly agreed or agreed that they had gained a good understanding of their major area of specialization.

• 85.7% said classroom facilities were excellent or good, 83.3% said lab facilities were excellent or good, and 71.2% said computer facilities were excellent or good.

• 74.3% said library holdings were excellent or good.

• 58.8% said study space availability was excellent or good.

• 63.5% said orientation for entering students was excellent or good.

• 57.9% said academic program and career advising was excellent or good.

• 40.5% said financial support for students wa excellent or good.

• 86.7% said most instructors were reasonably accessible outside of class, 70.0% said most instructors made an effort to ensure that students understood material taught, and 62.8% said instructors actively encouraged class participation.

• 82.0% said exams were a fair test of course material, and 84.8% said grading of exams was fair.

• 46.7% said most instructors provided useful feedback throughout the course, and 47.7% said just some instructors did so.

• 35.9% said most instructors encouraged feedback from students, and 39.3% said some instructors did so.

• Overall, 68.4% said most instructors were excellent teachers.

• 99.1% said they were able to get into classes they wanted.

• 96.0% said the program had sufficient theoretical focus.

• For those respondents who had taken part in the co-operative education program, 87.5% strongly agreed or agreed it provided a useful learning experience, and 68.8% said it helped them get a job.

• 49% suggested the BSA program should contain more practical and industry-oriented material.

• 9.1% said more business communications, computer, writing and math training should be provided.

• 7.5% said more student counselling should be provided.

• 5.8% said a wider variety of courses and flexible course scheduling should be provided.

• 4.6% said courses should be more specific or focused.

• 95.1% said their university experience contributed to their social skills, 94.4% said it contributed to their ability to think independently, 93.8% said it contributed to their public speaking skills, 93.4% said it was good preparation for post-graduate studies, 92.7% said it contributed to their development of leadership skills, 90.4% said it contributed to their writing skills, and 90.0% said it contributed to their computer skills.

• At the time of the survey, 84.5% of the respondents were employed, 3.1% were job-hunting, and 12.4% weren’t looking for work.

• 97.5% said the BSA degree was important to their career progression, and 81.8% said their first job was related to their field of specialization.

• 27.9% said they would be very interested and 65.0% said they would be interested in helping the College of Agriculture in its future endeavors.

Barber said this last response shows that Agriculture students developed a strong affinity to their College.

He said the students’ advice and suggestions will be seriously considered as the College plans for the future.

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