I wish Dubois’ letter regarding the Light Rail Investigation was still on-line. There was a good quote in there about how Dubois is willing to allow public discussions - since good will generally come from such discussions.
On that note, I thought I’d look at the Stamats results again. So far, I’ve looked at the [URL=http://www.ninernation.net/forum/showpost.php?p=246719&postcount=47]Study of Employees[/URL], the [URL=http://www.ninernation.net/forum/showpost.php?p=244766&postcount=7]Study of Business Leaders[/URL], and the [URL=http://www.ninernation.net/forum/showpost.php?p=248057&postcount=55]Study of Graduate Applicants[/URL].
[B][U]Study of Current Students - UNC Charlotte[/U][/B]
[URL=http://49ersga.googlegroups.com/web/UNC%20Charlotte%20Current%20Students%20Results.ppt?gda=GzrLllsAAABoWKLXV_DSTVDRMnEJk2lLx34fWCqPV2q3PMoc1G0H3mG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDTaU5z-vDvJom04uz4dMBX2bjMhhB7HnouInNLvsElne1_H3wpXy8slxaXKfQ170NEa47eE]-http://49ersga.googlegroups.com/web/UNC%20Charlotte%20Current%20Students%20Results.ppt?gda=GzrLllsAAABoWKLXV_DSTVDRMnEJk2lLx34fWCqPV2q3PMoc1G0H3mG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDTaU5z-vDvJom04uz4dMBX2bjMhhB7HnouInNLvsElne1_H3wpXy8slxaXKfQ170NEa47eE[/URL]
[U]Demographics[/U]
Gender – 65% female; 35% male
Age – 49% 22 years old or younger; 14% 23 to 25 years; 12% 26 to 30 years; 12% 31 to 40 years; 10% 41 to 50 years; 4% over 50 years old
GPA – 23% below a 3.00; 17% 3.00 to 3.24; 10% 3.25 to 3.49; 16% 3.50 to 3.75; 34% 3.75 to 4.00
[U]Preference for Tradition/History[/U]
It is discouraging that over half of respondents look for a foundation of tradition and history in a school which has been around for a long time
However, the University can spin this notion into getting students more involved in starting the tradition and being a part of history in the making
[U]Overall Ratings[/U]
UNC Charlotte students are looking for more than an education in their college experience, they want to have a fun experience while they are here
Some of that fun could come by way of establishing traditions – rituals, customs, etc. – that contribute to the feeling of unity and pride and are reasons for UNC Charlotte students to celebrate
[U]Changes in Impressions of UNC Charlotte[/U]
20% of students indicated that their impressions of the University has declined. This is a relatively high percentage of UNC Charlotte’s current student population
[U]Describing UNC Charlotte - Verbatim responses[/U]
“Up and coming but not there yet”
“Suitcase school with no football team”
“Great school but no football”
“The Red headed stepchild of the UNC system!”
[U]Disadvantages in Attending UNC Charlotte[/U]
Reputation of UNC Charlotte and no school spirit were also mentioned often by respondents
[U]Disadvantages in Attending UNC Charlotte - Verbatim responses[/U]
“The perception that I was ‘settling’ by attending UNC Charlotte instead of the more prestigious school.”
“School’s reputation as a middle-of-the-road commuter school with little or no rep for grad studies.”
“No history and lack of a ‘college town’ atmosphere. It also doesn’t help that people consistently confuse us with Chapel Hill.”
“No football.”
[U]Conclusions/Implications[/U]
For some time now, UNC Charlotte has been overshadowed in the university system, current students even alluded to the fact that many get Charlotte mixed up with the Chapel Hill campus. Upon improving in your performance attributes, additional distinctive characteristics such as offering a fun college experience, offering a rich tradition and history, and beauty of the campus may help the University improve its awareness and overall appeal.
Because of the relative “newness” of the University, UNC Charlotte has the unique opportunity to offer its current students (and prospective students) the chance to build the college tradition from the ground up; to be the first in establishing its history.
Such an important feat should be highly publicized and communicated. Build excitement about how this is to be achieved. Doing so will result in both internal and external audience engagement and involvement in the campus and its future direction. The more involved the University’s current students, the higher the satisfaction levels they will have.
Even though campus activities are largely consumed by students living on-campus, commuter students will also benefit from the enhanced school spirit that this type of involvement brings.
By offering more “collegiate” activities, and getting students involved in the campus, the atmosphere can support the “college experience” that many students are looking for.
Recall that only 50% of students would recommend the University to family and friends, increased communication of these changes will help to create that positive buzz that the University needs in word-of-mouth recruiting with its current constituents.
Conclusion: Holy crap! I think Stamats nailed it! They omitted the need for a name change, but they are starting to come around…