Freshmen voice CMU experience in survey, many say it could improve on academic conditions

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Central Michigan University could improve on its academic conditions, according to freshmen surveyed for a class service project.

Several students recently gave to the Academic Senate results of the MAP-Works survey first-year students took during their initial semester at CMU. The students were asked what they liked most, what they enjoyed least and what they would change.

Students said academic conditions, social adaptation, finances and homesickness were their least favorite things about their Central experience.

Academic conditions, as defined in the presentation, includes academic workload, difficulty, expectations, schedule, class size and lack of academic challenge.

“Students feel that faculty are over or underestimating their abilities and not explaining their expectations clearly,” said Texas junior Brettny Sample.

Sample, Marine City junior Lindsay Ostin and Milford senior Samantha Thorpe discussed the results. Thorpe said academic conditions are a two-way street for students.

“It’s part students, part teachers,” she said. “The students need to expect to be challenged.”

Other results

Many students enjoyed CMU for the independence, the people, social life, the environment, academics and new experiences.

“I didn’t expect them to be as reflective about their education.” Thorpe said. “I thought they didn’t care.”

More than 40 percent of students said they would change nothing about their academic experience at CMU, according to the survey.

“I think CMU is a great place to continue my education, and I’m pretty happy with the overall experience I have had so far, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the years to come!” said one student.

Students said they would like to make information about the university more accessible, particularly on the Internet. They would like faculty to more accurately estimate students’ level of preparedness.

University President George Ross said the presentation was consistent with other data he has seen about student experiences.

By improving student experiences, Ross said he hopes to increase retention.

“We lose a significant percentage from the first to the second year … We should examine the facts, examine the data and address any issues we find,” he said.