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
UC Berkeley has a strong commitment to undergraduate education3.6% 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
Attending a university with world-class researchers is important to me2.1% 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
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class5.2% 14.9% 22.9% 29.8% 19.0% 8.2%
Learning research methods 86 221 638 1,253 955 547
Learning research methods2.3% 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
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer3.6% 9.3% 17.9% 28.9% 25.3% 15.0%
Pursuing your own research 148 439 772 1,030 789 525
Pursuing your own research4.0% 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
The prestige of this campus when you apply to graduate school or for a job2.0% 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
Ability to analyze or discuss global issues (when you started here)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
Ability to analyze or discuss global issues (now)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
Linguistic or cultural competency in at least one language other than my own (when you started here7.8% 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
Linguistic or cultural competency in at least one language other than my own (now)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
Ability to work with people from other cultures/backgrounds (when you started here)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
Ability to work with people from other cultures/backgrounds (now)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
A research or creative project under the guidance or supervision of a faculty member33.3% 66.7%
A research or creative project without the guidance or supervision of a faculty member 681 2,989
A research or creative project without the guidance or supervision of a faculty member18.6% 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
Ability to engage in research or work on creative projects specific to your field of study (when you started here)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
Ability to engage in research or work on creative projects specific to your field of study (now)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
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)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
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)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
Job responsibilities (e.g., paid employment)38.3% 16.2% 24.8% 14.8% 6.0%
Family responsibilities 980 1,027 973 449 226
Family responsibilities26.8% 28.1% 26.6% 12.3% 6.2%
Other responsibilities (e.g., athletics, clubs, internship) 676 750 1,204 760 265
Other responsibilities (e.g., athletics, clubs, internship)18.5% 20.5% 32.9% 20.8% 7.3%
Weak English skills 2,762 410 293 136 57
Weak English skills75.5% 11.2% 8.0% 3.7% 1.6%
Weak Math skills 1,972 715 598 248 119
Weak Math skills54.0% 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
Inadequate study skills (e.g., knowing how to start, knowing how to get help, organizing material)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
Poor study behaviors (e.g., wait till last minute, too much social time, too much web surfing)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
Poor study environment (e.g., noisy roommate, poor Internet access, inadequate computer or software16.4% 26.9% 33.2% 17.4% 6.1%
Feeling depressed, stressed, or upset 402 636 1,131 951 541
Feeling depressed, stressed, or upset11.0% 17.4% 30.9% 26.0% 14.8%
Physical illness or condition 1,374 1,177 751 249 103
Physical illness or condition37.6% 32.2% 20.6% 6.8% 2.8%
Military deployment 3,340 133 97 57 17
Military deployment91.7% 3.6% 2.7% 1.6% 0.5%
Going hungry, not having enough food 2,447 618 392 140 60
Going hungry, not having enough food66.9% 16.9% 10.7% 3.8% 1.6%
Inconsistent access to housing, or homelessness 3,033 295 196 91 40
Inconsistent access to housing, or homelessness83.0% 8.1% 5.4% 2.5% 1.1%
Inability to concentrate on my work 664 752 1,255 710 277
Inability to concentrate on my work18.2% 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
Reluctance to ask for academic help when I need it27.9% 24.1% 28.7% 13.9% 5.5%
Other, please elaborate
[Contact OPA for more information]
522 50 79 52 61
Other, please elaborate
[Contact OPA for more information]
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
Religious beliefs9.3% 17.8% 32.8% 20.5% 15.1% 4.5%
Political opinions 210 540 1,149 878 644 218
Political opinions5.8% 14.8% 31.6% 24.1% 17.7% 6.0%
Nationality 179 315 1,043 1,015 795 279
Nationality4.9% 8.7% 28.8% 28.0% 21.9% 7.7%
Race or ethnicity 164 300 922 991 901 351
Race or ethnicity4.5% 8.3% 25.4% 27.3% 24.8% 9.7%
Gender 245 472 967 846 769 336
Gender6.7% 13.0% 26.6% 23.3% 21.2% 9.2%
Sexual orientation 256 525 949 788 774 345
Sexual orientation7.0% 14.4% 26.1% 21.7% 21.3% 9.5%
Social class 208 437 1,021 871 805 291
Social class5.7% 12.0% 28.1% 24.0% 22.2% 8.0%
Physical disabilities 559 950 1,003 555 419 154
Physical disabilities15.4% 26.1% 27.6% 15.2% 11.5% 4.2%
Learning or psychological disabilities 558 910 977 569 438 184
Learning or psychological disabilities15.3% 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
Races or ethnicities64.3% 20.5% 9.9% 2.9% 1.4% 0.9%
Genders 2,324 724 391 119 39 34
Genders64.0% 19.9% 10.8% 3.3% 1.1% 0.9%
Sexual orientations 2,602 640 230 85 42 24
Sexual orientations71.8% 17.7% 6.3% 2.3% 1.2% 0.7%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 1,694 865 657 233 120 72
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs46.5% 23.8% 18.0% 6.4% 3.3% 2.0%
Religions 2,394 689 332 113 69 39
Religions65.8% 18.9% 9.1% 3.1% 1.9% 1.1%
Social classes 2,457 678 318 88 54 36
Social classes67.7% 18.7% 8.8% 2.4% 1.5% 1.0%
Immigrant backgrounds 2,595 625 258 77 45 36
Immigrant backgrounds71.4% 17.2% 7.1% 2.1% 1.2% 1.0%
Physical disabilities 2,807 526 184 73 26 19
Physical disabilities77.2% 14.5% 5.1% 2.0% 0.7% 0.5%
Learning or psychological disabilities 2,705 578 216 69 41 33
Learning or psychological disabilities74.3% 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
Races or ethnicities62.1% 18.7% 11.9% 3.8% 2.1% 1.4%
Genders 2,303 639 395 157 71 45
Genders63.8% 17.7% 10.9% 4.3% 2.0% 1.2%
Sexual orientations 2,387 605 372 139 70 41
Sexual orientations66.0% 16.7% 10.3% 3.8% 1.9% 1.1%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 2,138 616 472 176 131 86
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs59.1% 17.0% 13.0% 4.9% 3.6% 2.4%
Religions 2,370 627 352 131 79 56
Religions65.6% 17.3% 9.7% 3.6% 2.2% 1.5%
Social classes 2,356 646 344 138 73 55
Social classes65.2% 17.9% 9.5% 3.8% 2.0% 1.5%
Immigrant backgrounds 2,402 621 328 127 87 49
Immigrant backgrounds66.5% 17.2% 9.1% 3.5% 2.4% 1.4%
Physical disabilities 2,626 588 236 89 44 28
Physical disabilities72.7% 16.3% 6.5% 2.5% 1.2% 0.8%
Learning or psychological disabilities 2,578 604 256 89 53 35
Learning or psychological disabilities71.3% 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
Races or ethnicities15.5% 24.7% 35.6% 13.0% 6.9% 4.2%
Genders 758 947 1,086 454 249 130
Genders20.9% 26.1% 30.0% 12.5% 6.9% 3.6%
Sexual orientations 841 1,056 1,008 382 212 124
Sexual orientations23.2% 29.1% 27.8% 10.5% 5.9% 3.4%
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs 483 661 1,048 648 447 344
Political affiliation, opinions, or beliefs13.3% 18.2% 28.9% 17.8% 12.3% 9.5%
Religions 875 941 963 432 241 172
Religions24.1% 26.0% 26.6% 11.9% 6.7% 4.7%
Social classes 1,021 975 906 354 218 153
Social classes28.1% 26.9% 25.0% 9.8% 6.0% 4.2%
Immigrant backgrounds 1,197 945 852 311 191 134
Immigrant backgrounds33.0% 26.0% 23.5% 8.6% 5.3% 3.7%
Physical disabilities 1,831 865 555 184 106 80
Physical disabilities50.6% 23.9% 15.3% 5.1% 2.9% 2.2%
Learning or psychological disabilities 1,680 876 630 211 133 99
Learning or psychological disabilities46.3% 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
My own racial and ethnic identity (when you started here)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
My own racial and ethnic identity (now)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
Social class and economic (when you started here)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
Social class and economic (now)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
Racial and ethnic differences/issues (when you started here)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
Racial and ethnic differences/issues (now)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
Gender differences/issues (when you started here)3.7% 13.0% 33.2% 31.9% 11.8% 6.4%
Gender differences/issues (now) 24 47 424 1,144 1,271 682
Gender differences/issues (now)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
Sexual orientation (when you started here)3.8% 14.5% 33.1% 30.8% 11.6% 6.3%
Sexual orientation (now) 23 64 503 1,155 1,198 640
Sexual orientation (now)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
Issues relevant to physical disability (when you started here)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
Issues relevant to physical disability (now)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
Issues relevant to learning or psychological disability (when you started here)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
Issues relevant to learning or psychological disability (now)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
I am proud to be a student at this campus1.4% 2.0% 4.8% 23.0% 39.5% 29.4%
This campus values students' opinions 148 224 538 1,327 945 452
This campus values students' opinions4.1% 6.2% 14.8% 36.5% 26.0% 12.4%
This campus values diversity 91 142 400 1,116 1,233 646
This campus values diversity2.5% 3.9% 11.0% 30.8% 34.0% 17.8%
Diversity is important to me 60 65 167 702 1,191 1,441
Diversity is important to me1.7% 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
Opportunities to engage in community service while a UC Berkeley student are important to me.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
Opportunities to develop my leadership skills while a UC Berkeley student are important to me.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
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience are important to me.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
On campus61.6% 38.4%
Off campus 1,820 1,789
Off campus50.4% 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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