Point of Graduation Survey, 1992-93: Report of Findings.

Instead of relying on graduates' perceptions of their educational experiences a year or more after graduation, Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, decided to survey students applying for graduation about their recent experiences. Questionnaires were sent to all 1,450 graduating students in the 1992-93 academic year, with 872 returning completed surveys for a 60% response rate. Responses were received from the students in the academic divisions of allied health (29%), business technologies (26.9%), engineering technologies (13.8%), extended learning and human services (11.8%), liberal arts and sciences (7.6%), and fine and performing arts (6.9%). Study findings included the following: (1) in ratings of courses, quality of instruction received the best mean rating and course availability the least positive mean rating; (2) in general, students rated the courses in their divisions as somewhere between "excellent" and "good"; (3) compared to the previous year, services receiving more favorable ratings were veterans' services, disability services, tutoring, student activities, and the bookstore, while financial aid and registration received noticeably poorer ratings; (4) at the time of their initial enrollment, over 75% of the respondents reported being "very" or "somewhat certain" of their educational goals; (5) the average length of time that respondents took to complete their educational goals was 3.5 years; (6) 65.8% of the respondents reported being currently employed, of whom 67.5% indicated that their jobs were related to their majors; and (7) 49% of the respondents stated an intention to transfer to a four-year institution. Data tables and the survey instrument are included. (PAA)