Western’s Fall 2021 Student Satisfaction Survey

In Fall 2021, Western's COVID Support Team administered a survey that focused on assessing the students' level of satisfaction with the university's response to COVID-19 during the first portion of the quarter. Results of the survey are being factored into planning for Winter 2022 and beyond.

All current Western students were invited to participate. In total, 5.1% of students were enrolled in classes during Fall 2021 responded to the survey.

There were a total of 767 respondents for the survey, comprised of 81.2%   undergraduates, 15.4% graduates, and 3.3% other. This is skewed from Western’ s enrollment, which consists of 92.3% undergraduates, 6.0% graduates, and 1.7% other. Other includes non - matriculated and post - baccalaureate students.

Regarding class modality, 60.6% of students would like all or some online classes, and 72.7% would like all or some in-person classes.

Nearly 450 students provided responses to what they think Western has done well in responding to COVID. Over 30% of respondents spoke to vaccinations, such as the vaccine mandate and vaccination rates on campus of students and employees. The second most commonly mentioned aspect was masking, by 26.5% of students, especially regarding mask mandates, the availability of masks on campus, and the culture around mask wearing.

Nearly 20% of respondents mentioned course modality, with many students appreciating the flexibility in course modality right now, as well as getting to be back to in-person learning. Other commonly mentioned aspects of Western’s response included communicating out COVID data, the availability and lack of cost for on-campus student COVID testing, and the flexibility of instructors when students miss class due to illness.

Here are some comments from students; these responses have not been edited.

• I love the fact that classes were moved online. I have health issues and it really helped me feel safer.
• I have appreciated Western mandating masks and vaccines. I find in-person classes much more effective for my learning than online so I appreciate the efforts to keep in-person classes.
• I have appreciated the care they have taken for students living on campus. I have also appreciated how normal it is to be on campus with a mask on. No one complains about it, everyone just does it. Please keep this up!
• Transparent about stats (e.g. number of cases, etc.), timely announcements about plans, offer free rapid testing for students/staff/faculty
• I have appreciated the strict rules on masks and vaccines.
• The kindness and patience of our professors. They all know that we are having a hard time readjusting and some of us have caught it and need to be online.
• Requiring students to be vaccinated is the single most important response Western took that made me feel safe and confident about continuing my education here.
• The transparency of the dashboard reporting (buildings with reported cases, etc.) has fostered my trust in Western's covid management and communication well enough for me to consider trying an in person class in winter. I am high risk so I've been very cautious.

Regarding what Western could do better, 465 students provided responses. Nearly 38% of students commented on modality, with almost half of those responses speaking to the desire for Western to continue providing both in-person and remote options for courses, so students can chose what works best for them. Other modality comments addressed a desire for a return to fully in-person courses, while others expressed a desire for fully remote courses.

A large portion of students commented on masking, with 30.5% commenting on it. Most of these responses included wanting Western to lift masking requirements, especially in outdoor settings. Other commonly addressed aspects included a desire for increased testing access and requirements, including vaccinated students, as well as wanting more information and context regarding COVID data. Many students also mentioned a lack of physical distancing in classes, concern over grades going down after missing class due to illness, and communicating modality changes for courses sooner.

Here are some comments from students; these responses have not been edited.

• I would like to have classes in person and not wear masks outside.
• More communication about what is expected from students (i.e. social distancing in classrooms if possible, what to do if someone tests positive in your class but you are not sure if you were exposed due to where you were sitting, etc.)
• If classes are going to be given in person, then mandatory attendance shouldn’t be taken. Attendance policies and lack of live streams/recording doesn’t allow sick people to stay home when needed.
• I don’t want classes that are only available in person on campus. This is extremely inaccessible to a significant number of students, especially disabled students and those who interact with disabled people in their day to day lives. Getting a degree shouldn’t require risking your life.
• Communication is difficult. Not because we aren't communicating, but because there is just so much of it. Sometimes it is hard to navigate all of the information coming at us. It would be nice if we had like a 'Google' for COVID related information on WWU's website.
• Having some classes online and some in person has been difficult for students to schedule, as many students are stuck on campus between 2 classes, yet have to find a place to be in an online class.

319 students provided additional information that they would like Western to know about their experience regarding COVID. Most of the comments mirrored aspects that were addressed in the earlier two questions, as well as describing how they have been feeling. Many students mentioned feeling unsafe, scared, stressed, or concerned, and shared information about their specific situation and their frustration with how the quarter has been. Several other students shared that they are feeling safer as they’ve seen how seriously their peers are taking the situation and appreciating being on campus again.

Here are some comments from students; these responses have not been edited.

• It was disappointing to have the class modality switch to remote only 2 weeks out from the quarter beginning.
• It's hard to feel connected to others without in person elements. I appreciate the start we've made in moving that direction and would love to continue that moving forward. I've felt pretty isolated and alone this quarter.
• It has been fine. While it is nice to get back to in-person learning, a lot of anxiety comes with the adjustment and the pandemic.
• I have felt extremely unsafe on campus when it comes to Covid. Especially in the dining areas as all tables always have evidence of others eating there which means it hasn't been cleaned.
• I'm so burned out and so is everyone else
• overall i’m very pleased. please continue to offer a verity of mixed modality of classes even after covid is no longer an issue.
• I wish western had been more decisive about remote learning. Because the decision is made quarter by quarter I wasn’t able to sign up for the grad degree plan I wanted
• I want to be back in person. If I finish my studies without ever having been to campus, I will be disappointed. However, I suspect that the winter quarter is not a good time to return to classes.
• Please continue offering online classes! Not because of the pandemic, just because I think they are an effective way for non-traditional students to complete their programs
• It’s taken some adjusting to, but learning in person with masks on hasn’t been as bad as I expected it to be! And it’s much more preferable to not being able to be in person.