2017 SONS Freshmen - Part 2: Background

Concern about Cost & Food Security

Family and Culture

Living Conditions

Challenge and Well Being

Concern about Cost & Food Security

How concerned are you about paying for your undergraduate education NEXT YEAR? (Next year is defined as Fall 2018 and Spring 2019.)

ResponseNumberPercent
Not concerned 874 31%
Somewhat concerned 900 32%
Concerned 500 18%
Very concerned 577 20%

Which of the following have you done in the past year or do you plan to do this year to meet anticipated college expenses?

Selected
Applied for financial aid (including work-study) 1296
44%
Asked financial aid office to reevaluate my application 343
12%
Plan to buy fewer books than required, buy cheaper used books, borrow/read books on reserve, rent books 1576
54%
Will take more courses per term to complete on-time or early 666
23%
Will take fewer courses so I can work for pay 115
4%
Will accept AP or similar credit instead of taking the course 1277
43%
Will take or have taken a community college course because community college courses are cheaper 536
18%
Will take or have taken an online course because online courses are cheaper 202
7%
Worked for pay to save for college 794
27%
Plan to work for pay at least my first year 633
22%
Requested a triple (3-person room) to save money 968
33%
Will live at home to reduce expenses 102
4%
Don't expect cost to be a significant problem 856
29%
Applied for outside scholarships/grants 1417
48%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
62
2%

Have you heard about the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, which ensures that scholarships and grants will cover fees for U.S. students from families making less than $80,000 a year, with financial need?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 766 27%
No 2075 73%

Have you heard about the UC Berkeley Middle Class Access Plan (MCAP), a financial aid program available to families in the $80,000 - $150,000 annual income range?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 788 28%
No 2037 72%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement: Given the grants and scholarships, if any, that you receive, the total cost of attending UC Berkeley is manageable.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 223 8%
Disagree 270 10%
Somewhat disagree 453 16%
Somewhat agree 928 33%
Agree 692 25%
Strongly agree 258 9%

Since you have come to UC Berkeley, have you encountered a situation where lack of financial resources kept you from having basic student necessities (housing, food, books, healthcare, etc.)?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 429 15%
No 2405 85%

Please select from the following list all basics you have foregone as a result of finances.

Selected
Housing 80
19%
Food 271
64%
Books 264
62%
Health care 104
24%
Other (please explain below)
[Contact OPA for more information]
29
7%

For the following statements, please indicate whether the statement was often true, sometimes true, or never true for you in the 12 months before coming to UC Berkeley.

 Often trueSometimes trueNever true
The food that I bought just didn't last, and I didn't have money to get more. 113 435 2246
4% 16% 80%
I couldn't afford to eat balanced meals. 159 388 2231
6% 14% 80%

In the 12 months before coming to UC Berkeley, did you ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2453 87%
Yes, almost every month 110 4%
Yes, some months, but not every month 152 5%
Yes, only 1 or 2 months 93 3%

In the 12 months before coming to UC Berkeley, did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money for food?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2388 85%
Yes 418 15%

In the 12 months before coming to UC Berkeley, were you ever hungry but didn't eat because there wasn't enough money for food?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2461 88%
Yes 343 12%

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about the impact of the cost to attend on your educational experience at UC Berkeley?

[Contact OPA for more information]

Indicate which of the following technological tools you currently OWN. (Please answer NO if you are borrowing or renting a device):

 Yes, I own this deviceNo, I do not own this device
A laptop or a convertible computer (PC, MacBook, Linux, Surface, etc.) 1531 64
96% 4%
A Chromebook 79 1271
6% 94%
A Smart phone 1540 33
98% 2%
A tablet or pad (with mobile operating system) 351 1047
25% 75%
A Desktop computer 141 1212
10% 90%

Family & Culture

When did you come to the United States to live?

ResponseNumberPercent
I was born in the U.S. 2037 73%
1997 or earlier 11 0%
1998 13 1%
1999 94 3%
2000 48 2%
2001 47 2%
2002 33 1%
2003 26 1%
2004 20 1%
2005 23 1%
2006 23 1%
2007 24 1%
2008 25 1%
2009 13 1%
2010 16 1%
2011 15 1%
2012 13 1%
2013 41 2%
2014 28 1%
2015 13 1%
2016 or later 238 9%

When did you learn to speak English?

ResponseNumberPercent
English is my native language 1699 60%
Before I was 6 years old 740 26%
When I was 6-10 years old 286 10%
When I was 11-15 years old 77 3%
After turning 16 years old 10 0%

To the best of your knowledge, where were your parents born?

 In the U.S.Outside the U.S.Do not knowN/A
Parent/Guardian 1 846 1942 6 0
30% 70% 0% 0%
Parent/Guardian 2 771 1981 9 0
28% 72% 0% 0%

To the best of your knowledge, how many of your grandparents were born outside of the United States?

ResponseNumberPercent
Zero 460 16%
One 141 5%
Two 263 9%
Three 81 3%
Four 1863 66%

Which of the following best describes your social class when you were growing up?

ResponseNumberPercent
Wealthy 138 5%
Upper-middle or professional-middle 1080 39%
Middle-class 922 33%
Working-class 361 13%
Low-income or poor 304 11%

Are you a financially independent student?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 139 5%
No 2659 95%

To the best of your knowledge, which category includes the total annual combined income of your parent(s) before taxes in 2016?

ResponseNumberPercent
Less than $10,000 65 3%
$10,000 to $19,999 118 5%
$20,000 to $34,999 193 8%
$35,000 to $49,999 135 6%
$50,000 to $64,999 168 7%
$65,000 to $79,999 147 6%
$80,000 to $99,999 177 7%
$100,000 to $124,999 315 13%
$125,000 to $149,999 191 8%
$150,000 to $199,999 322 13%
$200,000 to $499,000 474 20%
$500,000 or more 118 5%

To the best of your knowledge, which category includes your household's total annual combined income before taxes in 2016?

ResponseNumberPercent
Less than $10,000 15 12%
$10,000 to $19,999 15 12%
$20,000 to $34,999 16 13%
$35,000 to $49,999 8 6%
$50,000 to $64,999 6 5%
$65,000 to $79,999 5 4%
$80,000 to $99,999 11 9%
$100,000 to $124,999 10 8%
$125,000 to $149,999 8 6%
$150,000 to $199,999 10 8%
$200,000 to $499,000 14 11%
$500,000 or more 7 6%

What is your religious/spiritual preference?

ResponseNumberPercent
Spiritual but not associated with a major religion 248 9%
Not particularly spiritual 455 17%
No preference 290 11%
Agnostic 305 11%
Atheist 305 11%
Baptist 31 1%
Buddhist 80 3%
Christian Church (Disciples) 141 5%
Eastern Orthodox 17 1%
Episcopalian 8 0%
Hindu 143 5%
Jewish 65 2%
Lutheran 15 1%
Methodist 11 0%
Mormon 6 0%
Muslim 59 2%
Presbyterian 55 2%
Quaker 4 0%
Roman Catholic 312 12%
Seventh Day Adventist 3 0%
Sikh 21 1%
Taoist 5 0%
Unitarian/Universalist 2 0%
United Church of Christ/Congregational 6 0%
Other Christian 110 4%
Other Religion 17 1%

With which gender do you identify?

ResponseNumberPercent
Male 1209 44%
Female 1543 56%
Trans Male/Trans Man 4 0%
Trans Female/Trans Woman 1 0%
Genderqueer/Gender Non-Conforming 11 0%
Different identity 9 0%

Do you consider yourself to be:

ResponseNumberPercent
Heterosexual or straight 2353 86%
Gay or lesbian 98 4%
Bisexual 152 6%
Questioning/Unsure 104 4%
Not listed above, please specify
[Contact OPA for more information]
45 2%

How would you characterize your political orientation?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very liberal 246 9%
Liberal 1030 38%
Slightly liberal 524 19%
Moderate or middle of the road 574 21%
Slightly conservative 160 6%
Conservative 99 4%
Very conservative 18 1%
Other, please elaborate
[Contact OPA for more information]
82 3%

Living Conditions

Where are you living this term?

ResponseNumberPercent
Clark Kerr Campus 326 12%
Foothill 337 12%
Bowles 27 1%
Stern 110 4%
Unit 1 757 27%
Unit 2 (excluding Wada Apartments) 611 22%
Unit 3 (including Beverly Cleary Hall) 534 19%
Channing-Bowditch Apartments 0 0%
Martinez Commons 1 0%
University Village Albany (family housing) 4 0%
Wada Apartments 10 0%
New Sequoia or Garden Village Apartments 0 0%
Mills College 0 0%
Living with family 20 1%
Sorority or fraternity 1 0%
Co-op housing 2 0%
International House 0 0%
Living off-campus in a house or apartment 52 2%
I have not (yet) found stable housing 1 0%
Other
[Contact OPA for more information]
8 0%

How far from campus are you living this term?

ResponseNumberPercent
On campus or less than 1 mile 2333 84%
1 mile to 2 miles 359 13%
3 miles to 10 miles 39 1%
11 miles to 20 miles 15 1%
21 miles or more 18 1%

Do you have a UC Berkeley Meal Plan for this semester?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes - Not sure which plan 74 3%
Yes - Standard Plan (included in housing, 10 meals/wk.) 1635 59%
Yes - Premium Plan (included in housing + $350/yr, 14 meals/wk.) 736 26%
Yes - Ultimate Access Plan (included in housing + $750/yr, 19+ meals/wk.) 234 8%
Yes - Non-Resident BLUE (5 meals/wk.) 9 0%
Yes - Non-Resident GOLD (7 meals/wk.) 11 0%
Yes - Non-Resident PLATINUM (10-12 meals/wk.) 9 0%
No 89 3%

With whom are you living this term?

ResponseNumberPercent
No one. I live alone 31 1%
I share an apartment or dorm room with at least one other UC Berkeley student 2635 95%
I share an apartment with peers who are not UC Berkeley students 18 1%
I live with my spouse or domestic partner (with or without others) 2 0%
I live with at least one parent 37 1%
Other
[Contact OPA for more information]
41 2%

What is the composition of your residence hall or household while attending UC Berkeley this term?

 0 (Zero)12345 or more
College students or other adults (count yourself as 1) - 93 429 988 141 1102
- 3% 16% 36% 5% 40%
Children or teenagers under the age of 18 (do NOT count yourself as 1) 2116 165 100 64 33 133
81% 6% 4% 3% 1% 5%

Since the beginning of this semester, have you ever been homeless? (Homeless means not having stable or reliable housing, e.g., living on the street, in vehicles, motels, camp grounds, single-occupancy facilities, or couch surfing in other people's homes for temporary sleeping arrangements)

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 23 1%
No 2740 99%

Do you have any biological or adopted children who live with you now?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2725 99%
Yes 38 1%

IF YES: How many?

ResponseNumberPercent
1 2 29%
2 1 14%
3 1 14%
5 3 43%

Do you have any biological or adopted children who live elsewhere?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2691 98%
Yes 68 3%

IF YES: How many?

ResponseNumberPercent
1 13 43%
2 11 37%
3 2 7%
4 1 3%
5 3 10%

Do you have primary responsibility for caring for someone else such as a parent, grandparent or sibling?

ResponseNumberPercent
No 2695 98%
Yes 69 3%

How many of your children are under the age of 18?

ResponseNumberPercent
None 22 82%
1 1 4%
2 2 7%
4 1 4%
5 or more 1 4%

Challenge & Well-Being

During your first year at UC Berkeley, how often do you expect each of the following to be obstacles to your school work or academic success?

 Not at allRarelyOccasionallyFrequentlyAll the time
Job responsibilities (e.g., paid employment) 1212 533 655 232 69
45% 20% 24% 9% 3%
Family responsibilities 884 857 691 183 84
33% 32% 26% 7% 3%
Other responsibilities (e.g., athletics, clubs, internship) 474 429 1037 601 150
18% 16% 39% 22% 6%
Weak English skills 1882 408 272 93 39
70% 15% 10% 4% 1%
Weak writing skills 1448 589 461 146 54
54% 22% 17% 5% 2%
Weak math skills 1404 583 479 164 57
52% 22% 18% 6% 2%
Inadequate study skills (e.g., knowing how to start, knowing how to get help, organizing material) 856 752 752 249 86
32% 28% 28% 9% 3%
Poor study behaviors (e.g., wait until the last minute, too much social time, too much web surfing) 618 644 867 416 157
23% 24% 32% 15% 6%
Poor study environment (e.g., noisy roommate, poor Internet access, inadequate computer or software) 713 812 809 270 96
26% 30% 30% 10% 4%
Feeling depressed, stressed, or upset 538 720 828 412 202
20% 27% 31% 15% 8%
Physical illness or condition 1089 955 515 99 41
40% 35% 19% 4% 2%
Military deployment 2373 173 116 22 16
88% 6% 4% 1% 1%
Going hungry, not having enough food 1967 411 232 63 23
73% 15% 9% 2% 1%
Inconsistent access to housing, or homelessness 2320 199 130 31 16
86% 7% 5% 1% 1%
Inability to concentrate on my work 822 719 768 281 111
30% 27% 28% 10% 4%
Reluctance to ask for academic help when I need it 834 728 767 282 90
31% 27% 28% 10% 3%

In general, I consider myself...

ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Not a very happy person 54 2%
(2) 106 4%
(3) 226 8%
(4) 437 16%
(5) 887 32%
(6) 737 27%
(7) A very happy person 288 11%

In the past 3 months, compared to most of my peers, I consider myself...

ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Less happy 108 4%
(2) 191 7%
(3) 315 12%
(4) 639 23%
(5) 694 25%
(6) 533 20%
(7) More happy 252 9%

Whom can you really count on to help you feel better when you are feeling upset?

Selected
Friends nearby 2032
70%
Friends who are not nearby (e.g., home or high school friends) 1996
69%
Boyfriend or girlfriend, partner, spouse or significant other 670
23%
Teachers, coaches 360
13%
Parents, guardians 1885
65%
Siblings 1383
48%
Other family 554
19%
Clergy 60
2%
Counselors, therapists 217
8%
UCB student services support staff (counselor, advisor, etc.) 217
8%
No one (else) / myself only 91
3%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
38
1%

In general, how satisfied are you with how available these people are to you?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very dissatisfied 79 3%
Fairly dissatisfied 109 4%
A little dissatisfied 199 8%
A little satisfied 300 12%
Fairly satisfied 1142 44%
Very satisfied 785 30%

Overall, how satisfied are you with the support that you have?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very dissatisfied 64 2%
Fairly dissatisfied 105 4%
A little dissatisfied 167 6%
A little satisfied 359 13%
Fairly satisfied 1168 43%
Very satisfied 847 31%

Do you know that all UC Berkeley students are eligible for up to 5 free counseling visits at Tang Center-University Health Services regardless of whether they have UC Berkeley SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 1918 71%
No 802 30%

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