DATAWave 2.3

V 2.3
Date: 10.4.95

Eastern New Mexico University has participated in the Higher Education Research Institutes’ (HERI) Cooperative Institutional Research Project (CIRP) Freshman Survey since 1987. In 1994 the CIRP Freshman Survey was administered to 237,777 freshmen entering 461 two-year and four-year institutions. The national results reported in this issue of the DATAWave were reported in the 1995 Almanac issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Members of the Eastern community who are interested in additional analysis of CIRP data for any number of variables should contact the Assessment Resource Office at extension 4313 or by email (testaa@ziavms.enmu.edu).

In comparing the results of the Eastern sample (n=174, drawn last year from College Success Courses) some observations seen in the data are: a greater proportion of Hispanic students, an incoming student body that is more politically conservative, a lower reporting of parents combined income, and lower expectations for obtainment of graduate or professional degrees. Students reasons for deciding to attend a college or university were more or less consistent with those of the national sample, but in choosing Eastern in particular, students were attracted by financial assistance, low tuition cost, and that they were recruited to attend here. Students in the national sample were more likely to choose their institution based on good academic reputation, availability of social activities, special education programs, and the job opportunities available to graduates.

Eastern students self reported that they thought they would be less likely to graduate with honors, make a “B” average, and be satisfied with college. They were more likely to fail one or more classes, work full-time while attending college, get married, and need extra time to complete a degree. In the year prior to attending ENMU, Eastern students were more likely to have discussed religion, spoken a language other than English at home, failed to complete homework on time, drank beer, smoked cigarettes, and felt overwhelmed and depressed. When surveyed on their views towards a number of topics, Eastern students were more conservative than the national sample. Regarding future goals, Eastern students were more likely to be interested in being successful in a business of their own, and less likely to be interested in developing a meaningful philosophy of life, and keeping up-to-date with political affairs.

This is just a brief overview of the data that follows on the next four pages. It would be interesting for those members of Eastern's community with longer tenures to comment on these findings: are they similar or dissimilar to what would be predicted? CIRP data provides many opportunities to investigate our student body, and faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to contact the Assessment Resource Office to use the data to inform their own practice and research.

Racial and ethnic background:	National	ENMU
American Indian	2.1%	5.2%
Black	10.0	2.9
White	81.5	52.9
Mexican-American	2.3	31.6
Puerto Rican-American	0.7	1.1
Other Latino	1.3	2.3
Other	6.1	4.0

Estimated parental income:	National	ENMU
Less than $6,000	3.4%	6.1%
$6,000-$9,999	3.3	7.3
$10,000-$14,999	4.9	6.1
$15,000-$19,999	4.7	7.9
$20,000-$24,999	6.2	11.6
$25,000-$29,999	6.0	5.5
$30,000-$39,999	11.9	15.9
$40,000-$49,999	12.8	11.0
$50,000-$59,999	11.7	10.4
$60,000-$74,999	12.5	9.1
$75,000-$99,999	9.8	3.0
$100,000-$149,999	7.0	3.7
$150,000-$199,999	2.6	1.8
$200,000 or more	3.3	.6

Number of other colleges applied to for admission this year:	National	ENMU
None	32.1%	40.1%
One	15.3	20.3
Two	16.6	16.9
Three	14.6	11.0
Four	8.9	7.0
Five	5.5	1.7
Six or more	7.0	2.9

College attended is student’s:	National	ENMU
First choice	72.4	67.2
Second choice	20.0	25.3
Third choice	4.9	5.7
Other	2.7	1.7

Highest academic degree planned:	National	ENMU
None	0.8	6.9
Vocational certificate	0.9	2.0
Associate (or equivalent)	5.5	2.9
Bachelor’s	26.8	58.8
Master’s	37.1	21.6
Doctorate	27.3	2.9
Other	1.8	4.9

Political Views:	National	ENMU
Far left	2.3	3.0
Liberal	22.7	17.5
Middle of the road	52.6	57.8
Conservative	20.9	18.1
Far right	1.5	3.6

Reasons noted as very important in deciding to go to college:	National	ENMU
My parents wanted me to go	35.2	39.5
I could not find a job	7.7	8.1
Wanted to get away from home	18.6	20.9
To be able to get a better job	77.3	76.9
To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas	59.4	60.1
To improve my reading and study skills	41.2	42.8
There was nothing better to do	3.1	5.8
To make me a more cultured person	36.5	35.8
To be able to make more money	72.4	73.4
To learn more about things that interest me	73.0	72.3
To prepare myself for graduate or professional school	55.7	51.7
A mentor or role model encouraged me to go	13.7	20.2

Reasons noted as very important in selecting college attended:	National	ENMU
Relatives’ wishes	9.6	8.1
Teachers’ advice	4.5	5.2
College has a very good academic reputation	48.8	27.2
College has a good reputation for its social activities	21.7	12.2
Offered financial assistance	29.6	46.5
College offers special education programs	21.1	13.9
Low tuition	29.0	45.1
Advice of high-school counselor	7.7	5.8
Advice of private college counselor	2.3	1.7
Wanted to live near home	21.0	19.7
Friend’s suggestion	9.7	6.9
Recruited by college	4.2	8.7
Recruited by athletic department	6.1	8.1
Graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools	25.8	12.7
Graduates get good jobs	42.3	26.6
Religious affiliation/orientation of college	5.3	1.7
Size of college	35.6	38.2
Not accepted anywhere else	2.3	2.9
Local college, no other options	4.5	5.8

Students estimate chances are very good that they will:	National	ENMU
Change major field	12.5	10.6
Change career choice	11.6	10.5
Fail one or more courses	1.1	4.7
Graduate with honors	16.2	9.5
Be elected to student office	3.3	4.7
Get a job to help pay college expenses	38.7	41.5
Work full-time while attending college	5.5	11.8
Join a social fraternity, sorority, or club	15.5	21.3
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics	15.8	16.0
Be elected to an academic honor society	8.8	5.9
Make at least a B average	46.4	34.7
Need extra time to complete degree	8.4	13.6
Get bachelor’s degree	65.7	68.0
Participate in student protests or demonstrations	5.4	5.9
Drop out temporarily	1.1	4.1
Drop out permanently	0.7	1.8
Transfer to another college	13.4	17.6
Be satisfied with college	46.7	38.1
Get married while in college	5.9	15.2
Participate in volunteer or community-service work	17.3	12.4
Participate actively in religious activities	16.6	15.9

Activities in the past year: National ENMU
Attended a religious service 82.6 82.0
Was bored in class 33.0 35.6
Participated in organized demonstrations 40.4 43.3
Failed to complete homework on time 66.2 71.8
Tutored another student 49.2 38.1
Studied with other students 85.3 82.7
Was a guest in teacher’s home 27.8 26.2
Smoked cigarettes 12.5 17.8
Drank beer 53.2 66.7
Drank wine or liquor 52.5 56.9
Stayed up all night 80.7 75.0
Spoke a language other than English at home 7.1 14.4
Felt overwhelmed by all I had to do 24.1 32.8
Felt depressed 9.5 13.2
Performed volunteer work 70.1 64.3
Came late to class 54.8 58.1
Played a musical instrument 37.8 31.6
Asked a teacher for advice after class 19.2 17.2
Overslept and missed class or appointment 29.9 54.6
Discussed politics 16.0 12.1
Visited a museum or art gallery 57.3 56.6
Missed school due to illness 4.6 4.0
Discussed religion 21.1 79.2

Activities in the past year:	National	ENMU
Attended a religious service	82.6	82.0
Was bored in class	33.0	35.6
Participated in organized demonstrations	40.4	43.3
Failed to complete homework on time	66.2	71.8
Tutored another student	49.2	38.1
Studied with other students	85.3	82.7
Was a guest in teacher’s home	27.8	26.2
Smoked cigarettes	12.5	17.8
Drank beer	53.2	66.7
Drank wine or liquor	52.5	56.9
Stayed up all night	80.7	75.0
Spoke a language other than English at home	7.1	14.4
Felt overwhelmed by all I had to do	24.1	32.8
Felt depressed	9.5	13.2
Performed volunteer work	70.1	64.3
Came late to class	54.8	58.1
Played a musical instrument	37.8	31.6
Asked a teacher for advice after class	19.2	17.2
Overslept and missed class or appointment	29.9	54.6
Discussed politics	16.0	12.1
Visited a museum or art gallery	57.3	56.6
Missed school due to illness	4.6	4.0
Discussed religion	21.1	79.2

Agree strongly or somewhat that: National ENMU
The federal government is not doing enough to protect the consumer from faulty goods and services 71.8 72.0
The federal government is not doing enough to control environmental pollution 84.0 80.6
The federal government should raise taxes to reduce the deficit 24.7 18.5
There is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals 73.0 72.2
Abortion should be legal 59.7 52.4
The death penalty should be abolished 20.1 16.8
If two people really like each other, it’s all right for them to have sex even if they’ve known each other for only a very short time 43.2 38.7
The activities of married women are best confined to the home and family 25.0 29.6
Marijuana should be legalized 32.1 24.9
It is important to have laws prohibiting homosexual relationships 33.9 40.7
Employers should be allowed to require drug testing of employees or job applicants 80.6 81.8
The best way to control AIDS is through widespread, mandatory testing 62.3 67.1
The federal government should do more to control the sale of handguns 79.9 73.2
Just because a man thinks that a woman has “led him on” does not entitle him to have sex with her 89.5 82.5
A national health-care plan is needed to cover everybody’s medical costs 70.5 66.7
Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America 17.1 18.5
The federal government should do more to discourage energy consumption 71.9 63.3
Realistically, an individual can do little to bring about changes in our society 32.6 35.5
Wealthy people should pay a larger share of taxes than they do now 67.3 62.5
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus 62.4 60.7
Colleges would be improved if organized sports were de-emphasized 30.2 27.8
People should not obey laws which violate their personal values 35.6 31.6

Agree strongly or somewhat that:	National	ENMU
The federal government is not doing enough to protect the consumer from faulty goods and services	71.8	72.0
The federal government is not doing enough to control environmental pollution	84.0	80.6
The federal government should raise taxes to reduce the deficit	24.7	18.5
There is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals	73.0	72.2
Abortion should be legal	59.7	52.4
The death penalty should be abolished	20.1	16.8
If two people really like each other, it’s all right for them to have sex even if they’ve known each other for only a very short time	43.2	38.7
The activities of married women are best confined to the home and family	25.0	29.6
Marijuana should be legalized	32.1	24.9
It is important to have laws prohibiting homosexual relationships	33.9	40.7
Employers should be allowed to require drug testing of employees or job applicants	80.6	81.8
The best way to control AIDS is through widespread, mandatory testing	62.3	67.1
The federal government should do more to control the sale of handguns	79.9	73.2
Just because a man thinks that a woman has “led him on” does not entitle him to have sex with her	89.5	82.5
A national health-care plan is needed to cover everybody’s medical costs	70.5	66.7
Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America	17.1	18.5
The federal government should do more to discourage energy consumption	71.9	63.3
Realistically, an individual can do little to bring about changes in our society	32.6	35.5
Wealthy people should pay a larger share of taxes than they do now	67.3	62.5
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus	62.4	60.7
Colleges would be improved if organized sports were de-emphasized	30.2	27.8
People should not obey laws which violate their personal values	35.6	31.6

Objectives considered essential or very important: National ENMU
Becoming accomplished in one of the performing arts 11.1 11.1
Becoming an authority in my field 65.2 64.9
Obtaining recognition from my colleagues for contributions to my special field 53.2 50.0
Influencing the political structure 18.7 14.1
Influencing social values 40.2 47.9
Raising a family 70.6 74.3
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others 39.0 38.6
Being very well-off financially 73.7 73.9
Helping others who are in difficulty 61.7 72.3
Making a theoretical contribution to science 16.8 16.9
Writing original works 12.6 14.0
Creating artistic work 12.4 11.7
Becoming successful in a business of my own 40.9 45.3
Becoming involved in programs to clean up the environment 24.3 24.0
Developing a meaningful philosophy of life 42.7 39.1
Participating in a community-action program 24.4 26.0
Helping to promote racial understanding 35.8 37.6
Keeping up to date with political affairs 31.9 24.7
Becoming a community leader 31.0 31.1

Objectives considered essential or very important:	National	ENMU
Becoming accomplished in one of the performing arts	11.1	11.1
Becoming an authority in my field	65.2	64.9
Obtaining recognition from my colleagues for contributions to my special field	53.2	50.0
Influencing the political structure	18.7	14.1
Influencing social values	40.2	47.9
Raising a family	70.6	74.3
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others	39.0	38.6
Being very well-off financially	73.7	73.9
Helping others who are in difficulty	61.7	72.3
Making a theoretical contribution to science	16.8	16.9
Writing original works	12.6	14.0
Creating artistic work	12.4	11.7
Becoming successful in a business of my own	40.9	45.3
Becoming involved in programs to clean up the environment	24.3	24.0
Developing a meaningful philosophy of life	42.7	39.1
Participating in a community-action program	24.4	26.0
Helping to promote racial understanding	35.8	37.6
Keeping up to date with political affairs	31.9	24.7
Becoming a community leader	31.0	31.1