Students say Brock really rocks
Courtney Kaminski
Issue date: 10/19/04 Section: News
Once again, Brock University has received all-star grades in the third annual Globe and Mail University Report Card. The Globe's survey features ratings from the students who have first hand experience with their own school's performance.
This year, The Globe and Mail polled 27,811 students, asking them their opinion on more than 100 questions. Students were required to give a number grade from zero to five that was then translated to a letter rating ranging from A+ to D. This system was different from previous years when a ranking system was used.
For the survey, universities were also categorized as small, medium and large. Brock fell into the medium category of between 12,500-25,000 students.
Brock's overall score for student services was A-. Brock scored its highest marks in physical fitness, sports and recreational facilities, availability of up-to-date computer equipment on campus, personal safety/security, and faculty members' knowledge of subjects with all A-pluses. Brock's lowest grade was D in parking services.
"I am delighted that our students have recognized the excellence of our faculty, our facilities and our student services," said Brock University President David Atkinson in a recent press release and he added that "students, after all, are the primary users of the system and their opinion is very important to us. This is a real vote of confidence for the University and positively reflects Brock's growing reputation."
Essentially, what the survey says is that Brock students really like their school. However, the validity of the survey can be questioned.
Professor Jennifer Good, who teaches the research methods course here at Brock, evaluated the methods the Globe and Mail used for their survey.
"The survey, in terms of usefulness, provides an overview of universities in Canada," said Good. "It's helpful because you can go to the [Globe and Mail] website and it gives a whole bunch of categories of evaluation. The categories relate to student and parent interests."
This year, The Globe and Mail polled 27,811 students, asking them their opinion on more than 100 questions. Students were required to give a number grade from zero to five that was then translated to a letter rating ranging from A+ to D. This system was different from previous years when a ranking system was used.
For the survey, universities were also categorized as small, medium and large. Brock fell into the medium category of between 12,500-25,000 students.
Brock's overall score for student services was A-. Brock scored its highest marks in physical fitness, sports and recreational facilities, availability of up-to-date computer equipment on campus, personal safety/security, and faculty members' knowledge of subjects with all A-pluses. Brock's lowest grade was D in parking services.
"I am delighted that our students have recognized the excellence of our faculty, our facilities and our student services," said Brock University President David Atkinson in a recent press release and he added that "students, after all, are the primary users of the system and their opinion is very important to us. This is a real vote of confidence for the University and positively reflects Brock's growing reputation."
Essentially, what the survey says is that Brock students really like their school. However, the validity of the survey can be questioned.
Professor Jennifer Good, who teaches the research methods course here at Brock, evaluated the methods the Globe and Mail used for their survey.
"The survey, in terms of usefulness, provides an overview of universities in Canada," said Good. "It's helpful because you can go to the [Globe and Mail] website and it gives a whole bunch of categories of evaluation. The categories relate to student and parent interests."
