Appendix A: Survey on the First Year of Study
Introduction
In 1997, in a partnership between AUCC, ACCC, CACUSS and the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, a monograph was produced which discussed the current state of affairs for First-Year Experience programs at Canadian colleges and universities. Twenty-five years later, in partnership with CACUSS and the John Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, we are revisiting this survey and would like your help understanding the current state of FYE and transitions programs for students at your institution. Some institutions call this “onboarding”, and fundamentally we are referring to any intentional process in which first-year students gain the knowledge and skills they need to become effective members of your institution. The survey uses language of “university”, “college”, and “institution” throughout and where possible all three are indicated. No matter the language used, respondents are asked to answer the question with their own institution in mind. For this iteration, we are expanding the focus of the review, and ask not only about FYE programs, but explore students in transition more broadly. We plan to publish this volume as an open-access publication, free to anyone who wants it. As a participant in the survey you will automatically be sent a copy of the results once completed. For the purpose of this survey, answers to questions regarding first-year students should include all students new to your institution – this would include transfer students, mature students, students incoming from high school, etc. Anyone who completes the survey by Dec. 9, 2022, will be entered into a prize draw for one of two prizes. Specifically, we are offering a free registration for the 2023 or 2024 Annual Conference on the First Year Experience, as well as one registration for the 2023 CACUSS Annual Conference in Niagara Falls. If you do not feel you are the best person(s) to complete this survey, please forward to whomever you feel is in the best position to do so.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, do not hesitate to contact any of us at the email addresses below:
Thank you for your time and contribution.
Steven Smith steven.smith@smu.ca
Tom Brophy tom.brophy@smu.ca
Adam Daniels adam.daniels@smu.ca
Amy McEvoy amy.mcevoy@smu.ca
Part A: General Information – Institution Details
| Question | Response |
| A1: Institution Name |
|
| A2: Name of person(s) completing the survey |
|
| A3: Role of person(s) completing the survey |
|
| A4: Email address of person(s) completing the survey |
|
A5: Select the background information collected on your admission application that you use for your FYE / transitions programs (i.e., when students apply to the institution)
| Information Measured | Collected by Institution on Admission | Used for FYE/Transitions Programs |
| Identifier for 2SLGBTQ+ students | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Identifier for students with disabilities | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Identifier for mature students | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Academic attitudes | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Academic motivations | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Career aspirations | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Family members who are alumni | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Ethnicity/Race (Required or Optional?) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| First-generation university student (or parent’s education level) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Full-time vs part-time status | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Grades entering into program (high school or previous institution) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Hours worked per week | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Intended field of study | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Languages spoken and/or written | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Living arrangements (on/off campus) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Family income | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Student ability to pay for education | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Student financial literacy | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Student status (domestic, permanent resident, international) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Type of secondary school attended (private/public/religiously affiliated) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Veteran status (current or prior military service) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
A6: Select the information that is measured during or immediately following the completion of the first year of study for your students:
| Information Measured | Measured by Institution | Used for FYE/Transitions Programs |
| Academic average after first term compared to entering high school grades | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Academic performance of scholarship students | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Class attendance | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Academic attitudes | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Student involvement | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Change in full-time/part-time student status | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Change in residency status (on/off campus) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Changes in family financial circumstances | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Commitment to completion | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Method of study (virtual, hybrid, or in-person, etc.) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Drop out/withdrawals/failures (DWFs) in first-year courses | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Student-faculty interaction | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Number of first-year students by month who withdraw completely | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Number of students who withdraw completely in their first term of first year | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Number of students who withdraw completely in their second term of first year | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Peer interaction | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Number of students who change programs | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Retention rates (first term to second term) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Retention rates (fall to fall) | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Institutional satisfaction | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Sense of belonging | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Study habits | [ ] Yes [ ] No | [ ] Yes [ ] No |
A7: If you use formal surveys, please list which ones (i.e., institution developed, CUSC, NSSE, NCHA, BCSSE, etc.)
Part B: Programs, Services, and Centres by Delivery Characteristics
B1: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for 2SLGBTQ+ identifying students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B2) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
| Question | Response |
| Ba1. Is participation mandatory? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Bb1. What area of the university is administratively responsible for overseeing this program? (e.g. Registrar’s Office, Student Affairs and Services, Indigenous Student Advisor, International Student Office, Student Enrolment Office, etc.) |
|
| Bc1. When is the program provided? (Click all that apply)
[ ] At the beginning of the term [ ] Over the first term [ ] Over the first and second terms [ ] The summer before classes [ ] The week before classes |
|
| Bd1. Are outcomes developed for this program? (learning outcomes, evaluation, attendance) | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
If Yes to Bd1: complete the following:
| Question | Response |
| Be1. How are outcomes measured? | ____________________________________ |
| Bf1. Is any analysis done to compare retention rates of participants vs. non-participants? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
B2: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for first-generation students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B3) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B3: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for first-year students to the university who have just graduated from high school?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B4) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B4: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for Indigenous students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B5) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B5: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for international students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B6) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B6: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for male identifying students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B7) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B7: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for mature students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B8) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B8: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for racialized students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B9) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B9: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for student athletes?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B10) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B10: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for students admitted on probationary status?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B11) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B11: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for students returning after being on probation or suspension?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B12) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B12: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for non-traditional/mature students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B13) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B13: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for students who come from out of the province (from other parts of Canada) and study at the university?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B14) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B14: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for students who are parents?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B15) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B15: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for students who identify as having a disability?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B16) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B16: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for transfer students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B17) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B17: Does your institution offer special onboarding programming for women in STEM fields?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to B18) |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
B18: Does your institution offer any other special on-boarding programming?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | Skip to C1 |
| [ ] Unsure |
(Questions follow the same structure as B1, with adjusted population focus.)
Part C: Programs, Services, and Centres by Delivery Characteristics (Part 2)
C1: Does your institution provide academic advising services for first-year students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C2) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
| Question | Response |
| Ca1. Who advises students? | [ ] Faculty [ ] Staff |
| Cb1. Is academic advising mandatory? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
C2: Do you offer peer-led mentoring programs or groups during first year, such as First-Year Interest Groups (FIGS) or something similar?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C3) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
| Question | Response |
| Ca2: Are they coordinated by faculty members? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Cb2: Are the groups of students organized by academic program? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
C3: Do you offer first-year transition courses/seminar to assist with first-year student transition into college or university?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C4) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
| Question | Response |
| Ca3. Are these courses: | |
| For academic credit? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| A required course? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| A standalone course? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Integrated with another first-year program requirement? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
C4: Are any of your first-year student success courses taught in residence?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C5: Do you offer peer support programs for first-year students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C6) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca5:
| Question | Response |
| Is it by faculty? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Is it by academic major? | ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Is it in residence? | [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Unsure |
| Other, please explain: | _______________________________ |
Cb5: If yes, are these paid or volunteer positions?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Paid | |
| [ ] Volunteer | |
| [ ] Both | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C6: Do you offer focused career advising for first-year students?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C7) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca6: Is it mandatory?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
Cb6: What is the program called?
Cc6: What office offers the program? (e.g. career services, experiential learning, employment services, etc.)
Cd6: Is this service embedded in any course?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C7: Do you offer faculty/teaching professional development based on first-year transition?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C8) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca7: What administrative area coordinates this training? (teaching and learning office, faculty development office, etc).
Cb7: Is this professional development mandatory?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C8: Do you offer faculty/teaching professional development based on engaging and interactive pedagogy?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C9) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca8: What administrative area coordinates this training? (teaching and learning office, faculty development office, etc).
C9: Do you offer residence life programming focused on assisting first-year student transitions into student housing?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C10: Do you offer programming focused on academic student transition into college or university? (e.g. study skills, note taking, time management)?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C11) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca10: If Do you offer programming focused on academic student transition into college or university?
C11: Do you offer programming for first-year students regarding academic integrity?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C12) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca11: Is it mandatory?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C12: Do you offer programming for first-year students regarding gender-based violence?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C13) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca12: Is it mandatory?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C13: Do you offer programming for first-year students on topics related to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to C14) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
Ca13: Is it mandatory?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
C14 Please list and provide a short description of any programs, services or centres at your institution not covered in the survey so far.
Part D: Institutional Climate
D1: To what extent are your student unions/associations actively involved in first-year student transitions?
| 1 – Not Involved | ☐ |
| 2 – Slightly Involved | ☐ |
| 3 – Moderately Involved | ☐ |
| 4 – Involved | ☐ |
| 5 – Very Involved | ☐ |
D2: Do you have senior students acting as peer leaders in your first-year seminars?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to D3) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
D2a: If yes, briefly provide details on how this involvement occurs.
D3: Does your institution use specific technological supports to assist with student transition in first-year?
| Yes | No | Unsure | |
| a) Pre-arrival survey | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| b) Online orientation | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| c) Early Alert Intervention | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| d) CRM software (state below which product(s) you use and for what purpose) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| e) Other (describe below) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
D4: Have you experienced barriers or obstacles pertaining to the implementation of new programs or services for students in their first year?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to D5) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
D4a: Please provide a brief explanation of your top three identified barriers.
D5: Have you cancelled any programs or services designed for students in their first year?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to D6) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
D5a: Please indicate which ones, reasons, and circumstances.
D5b: If your FYE / transition programs have been impacted by COVID-19, briefly describe the impacts below:
D6: At your institution is the first year of study the first year of post-secondary study for the majority of your students (i.e., does your institution have a large proportion of transfer students)?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to D7) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
D6a: Please provide a brief explanation.
D7: Is your institution involved in a collaborative effort between units, departments, and disciplines to support first year development? (i.e., special committees, new organizational structures to support the first year, student service/teaching/unit/peers/disciplines integration).
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | (Skip to D8) |
| [ ] Unsure |
If Yes, complete the following:
D7a: Can you provide some details on up to three of these?
D8: Does you institution have a developed Strategic Enrolment Management Plan/Model?
| Response | Details |
| [ ] Yes | |
| [ ] No | |
| [ ] Unsure |
D9: What would you say are the top three challenges facing students in their transition, into, through, and out of your institution? Please provide brief details.
Part E: General Information and Additional Comments
E1: We would appreciate any additional comments you might have regarding FYE / Transition programs?