2016 UCUES: Part 3

Academic experience
Student development 
Community engagement

Academic Experience

We would like to hear more about being an undergraduate at a research campus. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.

Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
UC Berkeley has a strong commitment to undergraduate education 132 233 390 1,133 1,379 441
3.6% 6.3% 10.5% 30.6% 37.2% 11.9%
Attending a university with world-class researchers is important to me 77 170 290 989 1,240 935
2.1% 4.6% 7.8% 26.7% 33.5% 25.3%

How important to you are the following aspects of being an undergraduate at a research campus like UC Berkeley?

Not importantNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery importantEssential
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class 192 553 848 1,105 702 302
5.2% 14.9% 22.9% 29.8% 19.0% 8.2%
Learning research methods 86 221 638 1,253 955 547
2.3% 6.0% 17.2% 33.9% 25.8% 14.8%
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer 133 345 663 1,070 938 557
3.6% 9.3% 17.9% 28.9% 25.3% 15.0%
Pursuing your own research 148 439 772 1,030 789 525
4.0% 11.9% 20.8% 27.8% 21.3% 14.2%
The prestige of this campus when you apply to graduate school or for a job 74 99 399 963 1,145 1,026
2.0% 2.7% 10.8% 26.0% 30.9% 27.7%

As a UC Berkeley student, how would you rate your competencies below?

Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Ability to analyze or discuss global issues (when you started here) 141 690 1,495 973 273 98
3.8% 18.8% 40.7% 26.5% 7.4% 2.7%
Ability to analyze or discuss global issues (now) 38 141 673 1,327 1,107 382
1.0% 3.8% 18.3% 36.2% 30.2% 10.4%
Linguistic or cultural competency in at least one language other than my own (when you started here 285 596 1,272 946 356 215
7.8% 16.2% 34.7% 25.8% 9.7% 5.9%
Linguistic or cultural competency in at least one language other than my own (now) 212 532 952 953 672 344
5.8% 14.5% 26.0% 26.0% 18.3% 9.4%
Ability to work with people from other cultures/backgrounds (when you started here) 49 160 967 1,272 788 432
1.3% 4.4% 26.4% 34.7% 21.5% 11.8%
Ability to work with people from other cultures/backgrounds (now) 22 30 303 1,073 1,415 827
0.6% 0.8% 8.3% 29.2% 38.6% 22.5%

As a UC Berkeley student, have you completed or are you now conducting a research or creative project? These are original projects that include design, performance arts, critical analysis of primary or secondary sources, and scientific investigations in social, physical, and biological sciences.

Yes, doing now or have doneNo
A research or creative project under the guidance or supervision of a faculty member 1,227 2,462
33.3% 66.7%
A research or creative project without the guidance or supervision of a faculty member 681 2,989
18.6% 81.4%

Thinking about how these skills are utilized in your field of study (major), please rate your level of proficiency when you started at this campus and now.

Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Ability to engage in research or work on creative projects specific to your field of study (when you started here) 414 1,059 1,310 681 152 50
11.3% 28.9% 35.7% 18.6% 4.1% 1.4%
Ability to engage in research or work on creative projects specific to your field of study (now) 120 333 899 1,233 830 242
3.3% 9.1% 24.6% 33.7% 22.7% 6.6%
Ability to explain information presented in mathematical forms (such as tables, graphs, or equations) and to perform calculations commonly utilized in your field of study (when you started here) 232 741 1,425 920 262 81
6.3% 20.2% 38.9% 25.1% 7.2% 2.2%
Ability to explain information presented in mathematical forms (such as tables, graphs, or equations) and to perform calculations commonly utilized in your field of study (now) 86 224 866 1,274 928 278
2.4% 6.1% 23.7% 34.8% 25.4% 7.6%

During this academic year, how often have each of the following been obstacles to your school work or academic success?

Not at allRarelyOccasionallyFrequentlyAll the time
Job responsibilities (e.g., paid employment) 1,404 593 909 542 219
38.3% 16.2% 24.8% 14.8% 6.0%
Family responsibilities 980 1,027 973 449 226
26.8% 28.1% 26.6% 12.3% 6.2%
Other responsibilities (e.g., athletics, clubs, internship) 676 750 1,204 760 265
18.5% 20.5% 32.9% 20.8% 7.3%
Weak English skills 2,762 410 293 136 57
75.5% 11.2% 8.0% 3.7% 1.6%
Weak Math skills 1,972 715 598 248 119
54.0% 19.6% 16.4% 6.8% 3.3%
Inadequate study skills (e.g., knowing how to start, knowing how to get help, organizing material) 1,066 924 1,007 461 200
29.1% 25.3% 27.5% 12.6% 5.5%
Poor study behaviors (e.g., wait till last minute, too much social time, too much web surfing) 519 754 1,211 808 371
14.2% 20.6% 33.1% 22.1% 10.1%
Poor study environment (e.g., noisy roommate, poor Internet access, inadequate computer or software 599 985 1,214 638 224
16.4% 26.9% 33.2% 17.4% 6.1%
Feeling depressed, stressed, or upset 402 636 1,131 951 541
11.0% 17.4% 30.9% 26.0% 14.8%
Physical illness or condition 1,374 1,177 751 249 103
37.6% 32.2% 20.6% 6.8% 2.8%
Military deployment 3,340 133 97 57 17
91.7% 3.6% 2.7% 1.6% 0.5%
Going hungry, not having enough food 2,447 618 392 140 60
66.9% 16.9% 10.7% 3.8% 1.6%
Inconsistent access to housing, or homelessness 3,033 295 196 91 40
83.0% 8.1% 5.4% 2.5% 1.1%
Inability to concentrate on my work 664 752 1,255 710 277
18.2% 20.6% 34.3% 19.4% 7.6%
Reluctance to ask for academic help when I need it 1,017 878 1,048 506 201
27.9% 24.1% 28.7% 13.9% 5.5%
Other, please elaborate
[Contact OPA for more information]
522 50 79 52 61
68.3% 6.5% 10.3% 6.8% 8.0%

Student Development

Based on your experience and observation, rate the general climate for students at UC along the following dimensions:

ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Friendly 1,232 16.5%
(2) 3,159 42.2%
(3) 1,962 26.2%
(4) 750 10.0%
(5) 287 3.8%
(6) Hostile 96 1.3%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Caring 789 10.6%
(2) 2,019 27.0%
(3) 2,248 30.1%
(4) 1,269 17.0%
(5) 818 10.9%
(6) Impersonal 332 4.4%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Intellectual 3,493 46.7%
(2) 2,664 35.6%
(3) 943 12.6%
(4) 241 3.2%
(5) 94 1.3%
(6) Not Intellectual 44 0.6%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Tolerant of diversity 2,002 26.8%
(2) 2,930 39.2%
(3) 1,619 21.7%
(4) 578 7.7%
(5) 238 3.2%
(6) Intolerant of diversity 108 1.4%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Appreciative of diversity 1,866 25.0%
(2) 2,610 34.9%
(3) 1,860 24.9%
(4) 703 9.4%
(5) 305 4.1%
(6) Unappreciative of diversity 130 1.7%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Safe 655 8.8%
(2) 1,491 19.9%
(3) 2,130 28.5%
(4) 1,563 20.9%
(5) 1,163 15.6%
(6) Dangerous 474 6.3%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Too hard academically 1,375 18.4%
(2) 2,752 36.8%
(3) 2,685 35.9%
(4) 519 6.9%
(5) 109 1.5%
(6) Too easy academically 37 0.5%
ResponseNumberPercent
(1) Affordable 335 4.5%
(2) 940 12.6%
(3) 2,138 28.6%
(4) 1,745 23.3%
(5) 1,473 19.7%
(6) Not affordable 843 11.3%

How often have you gained a deeper understanding of other perspectives through interactions with fellow students because they differed from you in the following ways?

NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Religious beliefs 340 647 1,193 746 550 164
9.3% 17.8% 32.8% 20.5% 15.1% 4.5%
Political opinions 210 540 1,149 878 644 218
5.8% 14.8% 31.6% 24.1% 17.7% 6.0%
Nationality 179 315 1,043 1,015 795 279
4.9% 8.7% 28.8% 28.0% 21.9% 7.7%
Race or ethnicity 164 300 922 991 901 351
4.5% 8.3% 25.4% 27.3% 24.8% 9.7%
Gender 245 472 967 846 769 336
6.7% 13.0% 26.6% 23.3% 21.2% 9.2%
Sexual orientation 256 525 949 788 774 345
7.0% 14.4% 26.1% 21.7% 21.3% 9.5%
Social class 208 437 1,021 871 805 291
5.7% 12.0% 28.1% 24.0% 22.2% 8.0%
Physical disabilities 559 950 1,003 555 419 154
15.4% 26.1% 27.6% 15.2% 11.5% 4.2%
Learning or psychological disabilities 558 910 977 569 438 184
15.3% 25.0% 26.9% 15.6% 12.0% 5.1%

In this academic year, I have heard teaching faculty or instructors express negative or stereotypical views about:

NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Races or ethnicities 2,343 748 360 106 51 34
64.3% 20.5% 9.9% 2.9% 1.4% 0.9%
Genders 2,324 724 391 119 39 34
64.0% 19.9% 10.8% 3.3% 1.1% 0.9%
Sexual orientations 2,602 640 230 85 42 24
71.8% 17.7% 6.3% 2.3% 1.2% 0.7%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 1,694 865 657 233 120 72
46.5% 23.8% 18.0% 6.4% 3.3% 2.0%
Religions 2,394 689 332 113 69 39
65.8% 18.9% 9.1% 3.1% 1.9% 1.1%
Social classes 2,457 678 318 88 54 36
67.7% 18.7% 8.8% 2.4% 1.5% 1.0%
Immigrant backgrounds 2,595 625 258 77 45 36
71.4% 17.2% 7.1% 2.1% 1.2% 1.0%
Physical disabilities 2,807 526 184 73 26 19
77.2% 14.5% 5.1% 2.0% 0.7% 0.5%
Learning or psychological disabilities 2,705 578 216 69 41 33
74.3% 15.9% 5.9% 1.9% 1.1% 0.9%

In this academic year, I have heard non-teaching staff or administrators express negative or stereotypical views about:

NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Races or ethnicities 2,245 676 430 139 76 50
62.1% 18.7% 11.9% 3.8% 2.1% 1.4%
Genders 2,303 639 395 157 71 45
63.8% 17.7% 10.9% 4.3% 2.0% 1.2%
Sexual orientations 2,387 605 372 139 70 41
66.0% 16.7% 10.3% 3.8% 1.9% 1.1%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 2,138 616 472 176 131 86
59.1% 17.0% 13.0% 4.9% 3.6% 2.4%
Religions 2,370 627 352 131 79 56
65.6% 17.3% 9.7% 3.6% 2.2% 1.5%
Social classes 2,356 646 344 138 73 55
65.2% 17.9% 9.5% 3.8% 2.0% 1.5%
Immigrant backgrounds 2,402 621 328 127 87 49
66.5% 17.2% 9.1% 3.5% 2.4% 1.4%
Physical disabilities 2,626 588 236 89 44 28
72.7% 16.3% 6.5% 2.5% 1.2% 0.8%
Learning or psychological disabilities 2,578 604 256 89 53 35
71.3% 16.7% 7.1% 2.5% 1.5% 1.0%

In this academic year, I have heard students express negative or stereotypical views about:

NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Races or ethnicities 565 899 1,294 473 251 153
15.5% 24.7% 35.6% 13.0% 6.9% 4.2%
Genders 758 947 1,086 454 249 130
20.9% 26.1% 30.0% 12.5% 6.9% 3.6%
Sexual orientations 841 1,056 1,008 382 212 124
23.2% 29.1% 27.8% 10.5% 5.9% 3.4%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 483 661 1,048 648 447 344
13.3% 18.2% 28.9% 17.8% 12.3% 9.5%
Religions 875 941 963 432 241 172
24.1% 26.0% 26.6% 11.9% 6.7% 4.7%
Social classes 1,021 975 906 354 218 153
28.1% 26.9% 25.0% 9.8% 6.0% 4.2%
Immigrant backgrounds 1,197 945 852 311 191 134
33.0% 26.0% 23.5% 8.6% 5.3% 3.7%
Physical disabilities 1,831 865 555 184 106 80
50.6% 23.9% 15.3% 5.1% 2.9% 2.2%
Learning or psychological disabilities 1,680 876 630 211 133 99
46.3% 24.1% 17.4% 5.8% 3.7% 2.7%

Please rate your awareness and understanding of the following issues when you started at this campus and now.

Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
My own racial and ethnic identity (when you started here) 75 306 1,074 1,139 575 438
2.1% 8.5% 29.8% 31.6% 15.9% 12.1%
My own racial and ethnic identity (now) 23 58 534 1,208 1,099 677
0.6% 1.6% 14.8% 33.6% 30.5% 18.8%
Social class and economic (when you started here) 74 385 1,238 1,168 505 238
2.1% 10.7% 34.3% 32.4% 14.0% 6.6%
Social class and economic (now) 20 47 416 1,188 1,326 597
0.6% 1.3% 11.6% 33.1% 36.9% 16.6%
Racial and ethnic differences/issues (when you started here) 83 408 1,208 1,215 448 228
2.3% 11.4% 33.6% 33.8% 12.5% 6.4%
Racial and ethnic differences/issues (now) 20 40 400 1,184 1,344 596
0.6% 1.1% 11.2% 33.0% 37.5% 16.6%
Gender differences/issues (when you started here) 132 469 1,193 1,149 426 229
3.7% 13.0% 33.2% 31.9% 11.8% 6.4%
Gender differences/issues (now) 24 47 424 1,144 1,271 682
0.7% 1.3% 11.8% 31.8% 35.4% 19.0%
Sexual orientation (when you started here) 137 521 1,189 1,106 418 225
3.8% 14.5% 33.1% 30.8% 11.6% 6.3%
Sexual orientation (now) 23 64 503 1,155 1,198 640
0.6% 1.8% 14.0% 32.2% 33.4% 17.9%
Issues relevant to physical disability (when you started here) 198 687 1,266 927 337 176
5.5% 19.1% 35.3% 25.8% 9.4% 4.9%
Issues relevant to physical disability (now) 81 329 984 1,161 698 334
2.3% 9.2% 27.4% 32.4% 19.5% 9.3%
Issues relevant to learning or psychological disability (when you started here) 199 667 1,272 935 342 186
5.5% 18.5% 35.3% 26.0% 9.5% 5.2%
Issues relevant to learning or psychological disability (now) 71 267 836 1,133 825 469
2.0% 7.4% 23.2% 31.5% 22.9% 13.0%

What is your level of agreement or disagreement with the following:

Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
I am proud to be a student at this campus 51 71 175 835 1,436 1,070
1.4% 2.0% 4.8% 23.0% 39.5% 29.4%
This campus values students' opinions 148 224 538 1,327 945 452
4.1% 6.2% 14.8% 36.5% 26.0% 12.4%
This campus values diversity 91 142 400 1,116 1,233 646
2.5% 3.9% 11.0% 30.8% 34.0% 17.8%
Diversity is important to me 60 65 167 702 1,191 1,441
1.7% 1.8% 4.6% 19.4% 32.8% 39.7%

Community Engagement

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
Opportunities to engage in community service while a UC Berkeley student are important to me. 87 200 418 1,213 1,107 589
2.4% 5.5% 11.6% 33.6% 30.6% 16.3%
Opportunities to develop my leadership skills while a UC Berkeley student are important to me. 47 82 219 988 1,344 927
1.3% 2.3% 6.1% 27.4% 37.3% 25.7%
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience are important to me. 57 102 278 995 1,276 898
1.6% 2.8% 7.7% 27.6% 35.4% 24.9%

During this academic year, have you participated in community service?

NoYes
On campus 2,228 1,386
61.6% 38.4%
Off campus 1,820 1,789
50.4% 49.6%

To what extent has participation in community-focused activities at this campus influenced your desire to continue community-focused activities after you graduate?

ResponseNumberPercent
Not at all 152 11.0%
To some extent 808 58.3%
To a great extent 426 30.7%

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