Alumni Survey
2011-2012
Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
January 2014
2
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Demographics ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Choice of UTPB and Satisfaction ................................................................................................................... 4
Major............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Continuing Education .................................................................................................................................... 5
Employment .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Further Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Table 1........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Table 2........................................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 3......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 4......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Table 5......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Table 6......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................. 16
3
The Alumni Survey seeks to find out how useful students’ undergraduate experiences and
their degree are to them. The survey may also provide information that can help the university
make improvements for the benefit of future students.
The survey asks 21 questions about basic demographics, experiences with continuing
education, employment, and the major. A copy of the survey is shown in Appendix A. Contact
information for alumni is stored in the university database system. Alumni were first contacted
with an invitation to participate. A postal and email reminder were sent soon after containing the
survey link to encourage the recipients to take the questionnaire if they had not taken it after the
first contact. Since some individuals prefer paper surveys to online surveys, a paper version of
the survey was also sent, followed by a postcard reminder, and then later a final email reminding
them to take the survey. Once the reminders were completed, the online and paper surveys are
collected for data analysis.
Demographics
The 2011-2012 alumni consisted of 530 former students, 105 recipients chose to take
either the online or the paper version of the survey. Twenty-three alumni could not be contacted
because the address and email contact for them was inaccurate. The 507 students that remained
were able to receive e-mail and mail contact. The response rate for this survey was 21%.
Out of the 105 participants, 37 (35%) were male and 60 (57%) were female (8 did not
report their gender), the average age for participants was 31 (minimum of 21 and a maximum of
60), 38 identified as Hispanic (36%), 52 as white (54%), another 6% were other minorities and
the remainder did not report their ethnicity. Table 1 shows frequency of respondents by
4
ethnicity, and Table 2 shows frequency by age. The top three most popular majors among
respondents were Management (11%), followed by Child & Family Studies (10%), and
Accountancy (7%.) Table 3 shows the complete list of majors represented and their frequencies.
Graduation year and semester ranged from 2011– 2013 with most alumni (60%) graduating in
the Spring.
Choice of UTPB and Satisfaction
Sixty-eight (68) percent of respondents would definitely recommend UT Permian Basin
to a friend, and another 26 percent would probably make that recommendation. Eighty-five (85)
percent of respondents would definitely or probably chose UTPB if they could start their
undergraduate degree again, and 81 percent definitely or probably would choose the same major
field of study. Eighty-two (82%) of the survey participants chose UT Permian Basin because it
was close to home; 45% because of its cost and 31% because of small classes.
Major
Seventy-nine (79) percent of alumni respondents agreed that students were encouraged to
become familiar with current and emerging technology in their major. Approximately 57% of
respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that students were encouraged to participate in
research or creative projects with faculty members. Eighty-nine (89) percent of respondents
agreed that the knowledge and work in their major was intellectually stimulating.
Respondents were very positive about the faculty members in their major with 92%
rating them as either “excellent” or “good.” Interestingly, eighty-one percent of alumni
respondents thought that the applicability of their college major to their career goals was either
5
“excellent” or “good,” but only 68% found that the preparation they received in their major for
their first full-time job after graduation was “good” or “excellent.”
Continuing Education
Questions 7-10 ask about plans for continuing education and the degree to which UT
Permian Basin was successful in preparing the respondents for continuing their education.
Thirty-five (35) percent of the respondents had taken courses toward an additional degree since
receiving their undergraduate degree at UTPB. About 26% of the alumni participants were
currently enrolled in a formal degree program and 81 % of the respondents indicated that UTPB
preparation for continuing their education was either “excellent” or “good.” About 51% of
respondents indicated that they planned to obtain a master’s degree, 12% planned to obtain a
doctoral degree, 6% planned to obtain a professional degree and 5% planned on obtaining an
additional baccalaureate degree. Twenty-seven (27%) percent of the respondents did not intend
to obtain another degree.
Employment
Questions 11-14 ask alumni about their employment and its relationship to their
education at UT Permian Basin. Seventy (70%) percent of the respondents were employed fulltime; 8% were employed part-time, 6% were looking for work, 9% were homemakers and
another 7% were attending graduate or professional school. The largest number of respondents
(37%) work in business or industry; 28% work in education; 13% work for local, state, or the
federal government; 7% are self-employed; 3% work for a non-profit and 13% work in other
unspecified areas. Sixty-four (64%) percent of the respondents work in the same or a related
field to their UTPB major and another 29% work in a different field by their own choice. For
6
those respondents who reported their annual gross salary, 68% make $49,999 or less per year;
21% make between $50,000 and $79,999 per year; and 11% make $80,000 or more year.
Further Analysis
A one-way ANOVA was calculated for each question comparing the means for
male and female alumni. The Levene’s test for homogeneity of variances identified 9 questions
with unequal variances: questions 1, 2:1, 2:4, 3, 6a, 6b, 7, 8, and 14. For these questions, the
more robust Welch F statistic was used to determine equality of means rather than the ANOVA
F statistic. Table 4 displays the results of the Welch analyses. For the remaining questions that
did not have unequal variances, the ANOVA F statistic was used to compare the means between
groups. The results of the ANOVA analyses are displayed in Table 5. None of the variables in
the ANOVA analysis were significant. Table 6 displays means and standard deviations for
questions 1-16.
The Welch F statistic found a significant difference among male and female means on
question 3 (F(1,55.51) = 4.55, p < 0.05). Question 3 asks “If you could start all over again,
would you choose UT Permian Basin for your undergraduate degree?” The mean for males (m =
2, sd = 1.05) was significantly different than females (m = 1.58, sd = 0.69), females were more
likely to feel confident about their choice of UT Permian Basin for their undergraduate degree.
7
Conclusion
Overall, alumni were positive about their experience at UTPB, satisfied with their faculty
and program; and the preparation that their education afforded them. The Office will continue to
work to increase the rates of participation for the survey.
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Table 1 Frequency of Ethnicity
Ethnicity
Frequency Percent
Hispanic
38
36.2
White
52
49.5
Black
2
1.9
Asian
2
1.9
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
2
1.9
Missing
9
8.6
9
Table 2 Frequency of Participants by Age
Age
Frequency
Percent
21
1
1.0
22
4
3.8
23
14
13.3
24
9
8.6
25
9
8.6
26
10
9.5
27
4
3.8
28
4
3.8
29
1
1.0
30
4
3.8
31
3
2.9
32
4
3.8
33
2
1.9
34
2
1.9
35
3
2.9
36
1
1.0
37
3
2.9
39
1
1.0
40
2
1.9
41
1
1.0
42
1
1.0
44
1
1.0
10
Table 2 - Continued
Age
Frequency
Percent
45
1
1.0
49
1
1.0
51
3
2.9
52
2
1.9
53
1
1.0
54
1
1.0
55
1
1.0
56
1
1.0
60
1
1.0
Missing
9
8.6
11
Table 3 Majors of Alumni
Major
Accountancy
Frequency
7
Percent
6.7
Art
2
1.9
Biology
5
4.8
Chemistry
4
3.8
10
9.5
Communication
1
1.0
Computer Science
2
1.9
Criminology
3
2.9
Economics
3
2.9
English
4
3.8
Finance
3
2.9
Geology
1
1.0
History
5
4.8
Humanities
3
2.9
Industrial Technology
3
2.9
Kinesiology
3
2.9
Leadership Studies
1
1.0
11
10.5
Marketing
5
4.8
Mathematics
2
1.9
Mechanical Engineering
3
2.9
Multidisciplinary Studies
3
2.9
Political Science
3
2.9
Psychology
2
1.9
Social Work
2
1.9
Spanish
3
2.9
Business Administration
1
1.0
Education
1
1.0
Missing
9
8.6
Child and Family Studies
Management
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Table 4 Welch Statistics
Welch
Statistic
3.489
df1
1
df2
47.313
Sig.
.068
Q2_1 Close to home
2.521
1
61.542
.117
Q2_4 Quality of academic programs
1.757
1
67.096
.190
Q3 If you could start all over again, would you choose UT
Permian Basin for your undergraduate degree?
4.556
1
55.513
.037
Q6.a rate major
1.450
1
45.927
.235
Q6.b How would you rate the applicability of your major to
your career goals?
Q7 Have you taken courses toward an additional degree since
receiving your UT Permian Basin degree?
2.452
1
56.913
.123
2.233
1
82.153
.139
Q8 Are you currently enrolled in a formal, degree granting
educational program?
1.544
1
88.376
.217
Q14 Your annual gross salary falls within which of the
following salary ranges?
1.728
1
45.417
.195
Questions
Q1 Would you Recommend UT Permian Basin to a friend?
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Table 5 ANOVA Comparing Means of Males and Female Responses
Q2_2 Liked Campus
Q2_3 Small Classes
Q2_5 Cost
Q2_6 Offered financial aid
Q2_7 Influence of school personnel
Q2_8 Influence of friends
Q2_9 Influence of family member
Q4 If you could start over again, would you choose the
same major field of study?
Q5_a Students were encouraged to become familiar with
current and emerging technology.
Q5_b Students were encouraged to participate in
research or creative projects with faculty members.
Between
Groups
Sum of
Squares
.003
1
Mean
Square
.003
.161
df
Within
Groups
15.276
95
Total
15.278
96
.207
1
.207
Within
Groups
20.886
95
.220
Total
21.093
96
.018
1
.018
Within
Groups
23.652
95
.249
Total
23.670
96
.014
1
.014
Within
Groups
20.708
95
.218
Total
20.722
96
Between
Groups
.006
1
.006
Within
Groups
.983
95
.010
Total
.990
96
Between
Groups
.026
1
.026
Within
Groups
17.520
95
.184
Total
17.546
96
.047
1
.047
Within
Groups
11.210
95
.118
Total
11.258
96
.688
1
.688
Within
Groups
79.394
95
.836
Total
80.082
96
Between
Groups
2.475
1
2.475
Within
Groups
81.360
95
.856
Total
83.835
96
.366
1
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
.366
F
.017
Sig.
.898
.940
.335
.072
.789
.062
.804
.614
.435
.142
.707
.401
.528
.824
.366
2.890
.092
.320
.573
14
Q5_b Students were encouraged to participate in
research or creative projects with faculty members.
(Continued from previous page)
Within
Groups
Total
Q5_c The knowledge and the work was intellectually
stimulating.
Q6.c How would you rate the preparation that you
received in your major for your first full-time job after
graduation?
Q9 What is the highest degree you plan to earn?
Q10 How well did UT Permian prepare you for your
continuing education?
Q11 How would you describe your current employment
status?
Q12 Which of the following best describes your
employer?
Q13 Is your current employment related to your UTPB
degree?
Sum of
Squares
107.623
df
94
Mean
Square
1.145
107.990
95
Between
Groups
1.554
1
1.554
Within
Groups
71.183
93
.765
Total
72.737
94
1.639
1
1.639
Within
Groups
183.681
95
1.933
Total
185.320
96
2.605
1
2.605
Within
Groups
228.075
95
2.401
Total
230.680
96
.179
1
.179
Within
Groups
141.605
72
1.967
Total
141.784
73
.639
1
.639
Within
Groups
156.454
95
1.647
Total
157.093
96
.039
1
.039
Within
Groups
161.985
81
2.000
Total
162.024
82
.280
1
.280
Within
Groups
75.670
77
.983
Total
75.949
78
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
Between
Groups
F
Sig.
2.031
.158
.847
.360
1.085
.300
.091
.764
.388
.535
.019
.890
.285
.595
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Table 6 Means and Standard Deviations for questions 1-14
Question
Q1 Would you Recommend UT Permian Basin to a friend?
Mean
1.43
Std. Deviation
.738
Q2_1 Close to home
.82
.383
Q2_2 Liked the Campus
.21
.406
Q2_3 Small Classes
.31
.466
Q2_4 Quality of academic programs
.25
.432
Q2_5 Cost
.45
.500
Q2_6 Offered financial aid
.29
.458
Q2_7 Influence of school personnel
.01
.099
Q2_8 Influence of friends
.23
.423
Q2_9 Influence of family member
.13
.335
Q3 If you could start all over again, would you choose to attend UT Permian Basin
for your undergraduate degree?
1.74
.855
Q4 If you could start over again, would you choose the same major field of study?
1.63
.900
Q5_a Students were encouraged to become familiar with current and emerging
technology.
1.96
.922
Q5_b Students were encouraged to participate in research or creative projects with
faculty members.
2.46
1.063
Q5_c The knowledge and the work was intellectually stimulating.
1.92
.872
Q6.a How would you rate the quality of faculty in your major?
1.56
.939
Q6.b How would you rate the applicability of your major to your career goals?
1.96
1.226
Q6.c How would you rate the preparation that you received in your major for your
first full-time job after graduation?
Q7 Have you taken courses toward an additional degree since receiving your UT
Permian Basin degree?
2.44
1.411
1.65
.480
Q8 Are you currently enrolled in a formal, degree-granting educational program?
3.07
1.292
Q9 What is the highest degree you plan to earn?
2.90
1.558
Q10 How well did UT Permian prepare you for your continuing education?
2.05
1.358
Q11 How would you describe your current employment status?
1.81
1.481
Q12 Which of the following describes your employer?
3.02
1.502
Q13 Is your current employment related to your UT Permian Basin degree?
2.05
.987
Q14 Your annual gross salary falls within which of the following salary ranges?
5.17
2.488
16
Appendix A
4) If you could start over again, would you choose
How Valuable is
Your UTPB Degree?
the same major field of study?
 Definitely Yes
 Probably Yes
 Probably No
 Definitely No
Dear Alumna/Alumnus:
As part of our efforts to improve UT Permian
Basin, we ask current alumni to tell us to what
extent their undergraduate experiences are
useful to them. Please take a few minutes to
complete this questionnaire. Your
participation is very important. All information
that could permit your identification is kept
confidential.
Davidyou
Watts
1)W.Would
recommend UT Permian Basin to a
President
friend?
 Definitely Yes
 Probably Yes
Probably No
 Definitely No
2) What was your primary reason for choosing to
In your major,
5) Students were encouraged to become
familiar with current and emerging
technology.
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Can't
Judge






Students were encouraged to participate in
research or creative projects with faculty
members.
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Can't
Judge






The knowledge and the work was
intellectually stimulating.
attend UT Permian Basin? Select all that apply.
 Close to home
 Liked the campus
 Small classes
 Quality of academic programs
 Cost
 Offered financial aid
 Influence of high school personnel
 Influence of friends
 Influence of a family member
 Other: ____________________
3) If you could start all over again, would you
choose to attend UT Permian Basin for your
undergraduate degree?
 Definitely Yes
 Probably Yes
 Probably No
 Definitely No
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Can't
Judge






6) How would you rate the quality of faculty
in your major?
Excellent
Good
Adequate
Fair
Poor
Can't
Judge






How would you rate the applicability of your
major to your career goals?
Excellent
Good
Adequate
Fair
Poor
Can't
Judge






17
How would you rate the preparation that you
received in your major for your first full-time
job after graduation?
Excellent
Good
Adequate
Fair
Poor
Can't
Judge






Continuing Education
7) Have you taken courses toward an
additional degree since receiving your UT
Permian Basin degree?
 Yes
 No
8) Are you currently enrolled in a formal,
degree granting educational program?
 Yes
 No, but I have been admitted and will be
enrolled within the year
 No, but I plan to enroll within the next
year
 No
9) What is the highest degree you plan to
earn?
 I do not plan to obtain another degree
 Additional baccalaureate degree
 Master’s degree
 Educational Specialist (e.g. Ed. S.)
 Professional degree (e.g. medicine, law,
theology)
 Doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., D.B.A.,
Ed.D.)
10) How well did UT Permian Basin prepare you
for your continuing
education?






Excellent
Good
Adequate
Fair
Poor
Can't Judge
Employment
11) How would you describe your current
status?
 Employed full-time
 Employed part-time
 Unemployed and seeking employment
 Homemaker
 Attending graduate or professional school
 Member of U.S. Armed Services
 Retired
 Disabled
 Other, please specify:
______________________
___________________________________
_______
12) Which of the following best describes your
employer?
 Government (local, state, or federal)
 Education (K-12, postsecondary)
 Business or industry
 Non-profit organization
 Self-employed
 Other, please specify:
______________________
______________________________________
_______
13) Is your current employment related to your
UT Permian Basin
degree?
 Yes, in the same field
 Yes, in the related field
 No, in a different field by my choice
 No, in a different field, not by my choice
14) Your annual gross salary falls within which
of the following salary ranges?
 Less than $10,000
 Between $10,000 and $19,000
 Between $$20,000 and $29,999
 Between $30,000 and $39,999
 Between $40,000 and $49,999
 Between $50,000 and $59,999
 Between $60,000 and $69,999
 Between $70,000 and $79,999
18
 Between $80,000 and $89,999
 Between $90,000 and $99,999
 $100,000 or more
Background Information
Complete this section only if you are currently
employed
15) Graduation Year: _____________________
16) Graduation Semester
 Fall
 Spring
 Summer
17) Major:
___________________________________
18) Gender
 Male
 Female
19) Are you Hispanic or Latino?
 Yes
 No
20) Select the racial category or categories with
which you most closely identify. Check as
many as apply.
 White
 Black or African American
 Asian
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
21) Birth date (mm/dd/yyyy):
______________________