Alumni and Alumnae Survey

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/SCIENCE ALUMNI SURVEY

Michael R. Edelstein, Ph.D.

An 18 item survey was developed in conjunction with staff of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and mailed with a return mailer to 922 graduates of the environmental programs at Ramapo. At the time of analysis, 89 replies had been received, just shy of a 10% return rate. Data was tabulated, with the following results. The help of Xuong Zwong of VPAA was invaluable in all phases of this project.

The 89 respondents represented students graduating from 1974 through 1997, with only a slight bias toward more recent graduates. 60% received a BA in Environmental Studies (2 as a second major), 32% a B.S. in Environmental Science (1 as a second major), and 9 percent received a B.S. in Human Ecology (a discontinued major).

The first set of questions relate to overall satisfaction with the environmental education provided by Ramapo. Students were able to get desired courses, were generally satisfied with advisement, and found the courses to be of high quality. Preparation for graduate school was fairly successful. The program, however, was only modestly successful in preparing students for careers. Willingness to recommend the program to others was strong. See Table 1.

Question 6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (in percent)

strongly disagree

disagree

agree

strongly agree

a. Courses in my major were of high quality	2	8	52	38
b. My faculty advisor was very helpful	11	18	40	31
c. I was able to get classes I needed	1	9	83	7
d. My major prepared me for my career	8	39	39	15
e. My major prepared me for graduate or professional school	10	25	47	18
f. I would recommend the Environmental Studies program at Ramapo to other potential college students	5	11	51	34

Table 1

Students reported relatively little involvement in such all college activities as governance and media, with only modest participation in the Environmental Alliance. There was a greater, although still modest involvement in environmental conferences and the Alternative Energy Center. See table 2.

Question 7. When you were at Ramapo, to what extent were you involved in each of the following activities: (in percent)

not at all

slightly

much

very much

a. Student government	73	15	9	2
b. Student publications/media (radio/TV)	75	14	5	6
c. Environmental Alliance	44	34	13	9
d. Environmental Conferences	26	41	20	14
e. Alternative Energy Center	32	36	17	15
f.&g. Other on and off campus environmental activities

Table 2

Student development varied from poor in use of technology, to modest in oral communication, fairly good in writing skill and participation in decision making, good in developing self worth and confidence, strong in analytical and logical thought and critical examination of personal and social values and beliefs, very strong in cultural understanding, and outstanding in ability to observe human impacts on nature. See table 3.

Question 8. To what extent did Ramapo contribute to your personal development in the following areas: (in percent)

not at all

slightly

much

very much

a. Skill in writing	9	24	44	23
b. Skill in oral communication	6	39	39	17
c. Skill in use of technology	15	47	29	9
d. Ability to think analytically and logically	2	9	55	34
e. Understanding different philosophies, cultures, and ways of life	1	14	38	47
f. Ability to critically examine personal values and beliefs	3	11	52	33
g. Ability to critically examine social values and beliefs	5	14	53	28
h. A sense of self worth and self confidence	3	22	42	33
I. Ability to observe human impact on nature	0	5	26	69
j. Participation in community decision making	9	25	44	22

Table 3

When asked about their post-graduation involvement, alumni almost 40% reported having returned for conferences and activities since graduation and twice that percent interested in such activities. At least 60% are interested in belonging to an alumni group. More than 60% have obtained additional education since graduating, with 70% planning to pursue further educational experiences. Nearly 30% would be likely or would consider applying to a masters program related to the environment at Ramapo and a similar number would recommend such a program to others. More than 90% hold full time jobs, half with long-term career potential and another quarter with possible long-term career potential. Half these jobs are directly related to the environment and more than sixty percent at least indirectly related. Nearly a quarter are involved with the environment through community or volunteer service. See Table 4.

Questions relating to post-graduation involvement:

yes

not sure

3. Have you come back for any conferences or activities since graduating?	39%	61%
4. Are you interested in attending conferences, reunions or other environmental activities at Ramapo?	78%	18%	3%
5. Are you interested in joining an environmental alumni group?	59%	31%	9%
9. Since graduation, have you obtained any additional education?	64%	37%
10. Do you plan to pursue additional education?	70%	30%
14. Is your current job a full-time job?	91%	9%

Question 11: If Ramapo College of New Jersey offered a Master’s program in Environ- mental Studies would you be	Certain to consider applying	Likely to consider applying	Unlikely to consider applying	Undecide d about applying	Likely to recommen d program to others
number/percentage	16/15	13/13	31/32	14/14	29/28
Question 12: In what way have you been involved with environmental issues since your graduation from Ramapo?	My job is directly related	My job is some what related	Commun- ity ser- vice and volunteer	Other
percent	47	15	22	17
Question 15. Which of the following statements best describes your attitude about your current job?	Definite longterm career potential	Possible longterm job potential	tempora- ry until related job found	Short term job	Other
percent	52	24	7	1	15

Table 4

Question 16: Overall, what were the strongest components of your undergraduate education in environmental studies, science or human ecology?

While there were a diversity of responses, the strength of the faculty and their relationship to students appears to be a general theme. See attached

Question 17: Overall, what were some of areas where your undergraduate preparation might have been stronger?

While there were a diversity of responses, the need for better career counseling was a common complaint. See attached

Question 18: Please provide any other comments here:

See attached

Additional analysis is under way.