The 4,062 students who responded to a spring 2009 online survey offered the University feedback on a variety of programs and services.
Amongst the best rated programs were Gelman Library’s electronic collections, staff members at Student Mail and Package Services and programs at Lerner Health and Wellness Center. Graduate students in particular responded positively to campus tours, Graduate Services Fair and the student resource, The Source.
University administrators insist GW is taking the findings of the study very seriously. “This new survey design will help us better monitor our operational efficiency and effectiveness as we continue to reach the academic and service goals set for the University,” says Donald R. Lehman, executive vice president for academic affairs.
Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert A. Chernak says operations and academic departments at GW are being encouraged to act upon the findings. A cross-divisional team, the Service Excellence Advisory Council, has been appointed by the University to examine the departments’ progress and to reassess the situation periodically, he adds.
The council will also be launching a Project Review Board, which will accept proposals of creative solutions to challenging service problems, says Louis Katz, executive vice president and treasurer. Proposals can be emailed to [email protected].
Some of the other positive areas students identified are classroom instructional technology, and the five “best services” at GW were those provided by Eckles Library, GWorld, Colonial Central, Disability Support Services and the Lerner Health and Wellness Center. Areas that students said needed improvement were the food choices at J Street and on the Mount Vernon campus.
Another student suggestion was to increase meeting and study spaces on campus. GW has already implemented a new system for reserving rooms at Gelman Library and has increased hours for study spaces at the Marvin Center.
The next survey will assess services provided for faculty and staff and will be conducted in 2010.