Survey reveals what Ontario university students want

TORONTO, Aug. 31 /CNW/ - Financial assistance, student services and teaching pedagogy are important priorities for undergraduate students at Ontario universities, according to the results of a survey released today by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). The report, entitled "What Students Want: Results of the Ontario Student Survey," highlights the results of a bilingual survey of over 10,000 Ontario university students that examined student priorities and satisfaction.

Results indicate that students remain principally concerned with the affordability and accessibility of university education. In one question, students were asked to prioritize how to direct institutional spending, and financial aid was selected over all other options by a large majority of students.

"Given that Ontario university tuition fees are the highest in the country, students are clearly concerned with the cost of their education," said OUSA President Meaghan Coker. "We urge the government to continue investing in improvements to the student financial assistance system to reduce barriers to accessing higher education."

Students also selected support services as the second highest spending priority for institutions, demonstrating their importance to student success. While satisfaction with most campus student services was high, students were significantly less satisfied with the quality of financial aid services, career counselling and services for students with disabilities.

The survey also identified factors that contribute to what students view as quality teaching. Available and helpful faculty, well-prepared lectures, an engaging presence in the classroom, and the ability to deliver material in multiple ways were considered to be characteristics of a high-quality learning experience. The integration of technology in the classroom and having a prominent researcher as a teacher were of lesser importance, particularly for those students who were less satisfied with the overall quality of teaching at their institution.

"When it comes to the quality of their education, students clearly put a high priority on teaching pedagogy," added Coker. "Initiatives should be undertaken to improve the quality of instruction, including more robust instructional support programs and formal training in teaching methods for PhD students."

OUSA represents the interests of over 140,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven Ontario institutions.

For a copy of OUSA's report, What Students Want: Results of the Ontario Student Survey, visit www.ousa.ca

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: [phone], cell: [phone], email: [email protected]