Existing policies and procedures have been uniformly applied to all undergraduate traditional and non-traditional students at Ball State University. The purpose of the study was to determine the judged effectiveness of existing policies and procedures when applied uniformly to undergraduate students over age twenty-three at Ball State University. The study was designed to reflect the judgments of three distinct sub-groups of nontraditional undergraduate students and personnel of four selected administrative offices at Ball State University.A questionnaire was developed and mailed to a random sample of undergraduate non-traditional students and to the personnel of four selected administrative offices: Admissions, Curricular Advising, Financial Aid, and Registration and Records. Student respondents accounted for a 46.3 percent return and administrative personnel had a 55.5 percent return. A Likert Scale with levels of agreement or disagreement as Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), or Strongly Disagree (SD) was used. A Chi Square Analysis at the .05 level of confidence with one degree of freedom and a p level of 3.84 was used to test the six null hypotheses of the study.Findings based upon the study were:1. Undergraduate enrollment in institutions of higher education is projected to decline.2. Enrollments of undergraduate non-traditional students in institutions of higher education are projected to increase.3. Needs and characteristics of non-traditional students differ from the traditional undergraduate student.4. Seven questionnaire items showed significant differences between undergraduate non-traditional students and administrative personnel regarding Office of Admissions services.5. Three questionnaire items showed significant differences between undergraduate non-traditional students and administrative personnel regarding Office of Financial Aid services.6. Six questionnaire items showed significant differences between undergraduate non-traditional students and administrative personnel regarding Office of Curricular Advising services.7. Two questionnaire items showed significant differences between undergraduate non-traditional

Thesis (M.A.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 08, 2010). Creative project (M.A.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. [29]-31).

Thesis (D. Ed.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 11, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. [115]-132).

This study was designed to collect data that would provide evidence as to what students' expectations of the environment were along with whether these expectations were actually being experienced by students living in the substance-free environment. A systematic sample of 139 students were surveyed who lived in the Students Uniting to Remain Free (SURF) substance-free living environment at Ball State University during the Fall semester of 2001 academic year. Data collection consisted of a survey instrument that had eight three-part questions, 10 demographic characteristic questions, and six student involvement questions.The data revealed that new and returning students living in the SURF hall were very satisfied with their residential experience. The majority of their expectations matched the majority of their experiences. Statistically significant differences between the expectations of new and returning students existed with the following variables: drinking and using drugs outside of the SURF hall, expecting that they would not have to deal with noise and disruptions caused by alcohol usage, living with students who had similar religious ideals and values, expecting the SURF hall to be a quiet study area and expecting and experiencing wellness and healthy lifestyle programs.The growing interest in substance-free housing environments is an area that many Chief Housing Officers and Student Affairs Administrators may want to consider investing more time researching in addition to allocating additional institutional resources in the creation of increased levels of this living environment option. Current expansion of this lifestyle option on campuses across the nation may dictate that for institutions to stay competitive and to meet the needs of the various populations living on their campuses the offering of this lifestyle option may need to increase. Additional research into the academic benefits and long-term retention benefits may be necessary for the development of new programs. / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the original objectives for the Carmichael Residential Instruction Project at Ball State University have been met through the mid-to-late seventies, the relative differences in effectiveness between the Carmichael Project and the larger university in meeting the objectives claimed for the Carmichael Project, and the extent to which Ball State students of the mid-to-late seventies reflect national trends in college student characteristics as described in the relevant literature.To achieve the purposes of the study a major null hypothesis and four null sub-hypotheses were developed concerning the Carmichael Project objectives. The objectives evaluated in the study concerned (1) promoting a "comfortable community of learning," (2) developing "close working relationships with faculty," (3) creating "a small, comfortable classroom environment," and (4) providing the opportunity for "shared educational experiences and a common identity."Two questionnaire instruments were developed to determine the extent to which Carmichael Project objectives have been met in the mid-to-late seventies and to determine whether the objectives of the Carmichael Project have been met more effectively by the Project thanby the larger university. The questionnaires were administered to two groups of students selected by a random process. One group was composed of present and former Carmichael Project participants divided into four sub-groups according to academic classification, i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. The second group, the control group, was composed of general university or non-Carmichael students also divided into four sub-groups according to academic classification.After the questionnaire data were subjected to an F ratio and t test, it was found that the mean scores of the Carmichael Project participant groups were significantly higher than the mean scores of the corresponding control groups for questionnaire items relating to the first three Carmichael Project objectives, but the mean scores of the control groups were significantly higher than the mean scores of the corresponding Carmichael groups for questionnaire items relating to the fourth Carmichael Project objective. The major null hypothesis and all four null sub-hypotheses were rejected.It was determined through the review of related literature that college student characteristics have changed since the late sixties and that Ball State students in the mid-to-late seventies have reflected the national trends in college student characteristics. Among other changes in college student characteristics since the sixties, it was determined, for example, that college students in the 1970's have been more "career-minded," more moderate or conservative in political views, and more "liberal" in social attitudes than were college students of the late 1960's. It was determined. that Ball State students have generally reflected the national college student characteristics but have been more politically moderate and less socially "liberal" than have college students nationally during the mid-to-late seventies.It was concluded that the Carmichael Project at Ball State University should be continued only if modifications are made. It was recommended that if the decision is made to continue the Carmichael Project, Ball State officials should, after appropriate study, develop a very clear set of goals and objectives for the Project, provide a program of studies which specifically meets the needs of students in the late 1970's and early 1980's, develop in-service programs for Carmichael faculty to insure understanding of and commitment to the goals and objectives of the Project, develop specific evaluative procedures and carry out a continuing program of evaluation, and make modifications in the Project as new or changed needs are determined as a result of evaluation procedures.

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze perceptions of Ball State University students, faculty, administrators, and trustees relative to student participation in university governance. The study was designed to: identify perceptions of each group; determine differences in stated perceptions among components within groups; ascertain the extent and nature of the differences identified; and make recommendations regarding student participation in university governance.A questionnaire, originally developed by Rowe, to examine general principles and specific procedures relating to student participation in university governance was modified and submitted to 723 individuals of the study croup. Useable responses were received from 496 individuals.The data were analyzed by applying a 3 x 2 analysis of variance with both factors considered to be fixed, for questionnaire items one through 16. Simple effects analyses and the Scheffe procedure were used on items one through 16 where appropriate. The chi-square test of independence was applied to questionnaire items 17 through 21. No inferential statistics were used to treat the trustee response data. Only the frequencies of trustee responses to the questionnaire items were reported.Major findings obtained from the study included:1. Students, faculty, administrators, and trustees agreed that:a. student participation in university governance is desirable.b. the present climate which provides opportunities for students to work within the system represents a positive development in higher education.c. the most valid reason for involving students in university governance was that it provides opportunity for students, as citizens of the campus community, to have input into the governance of the university.2. Students, faculty, and administrators agreed that:a. student participation in university governance will result in the emergence of a sense of academic community.b. student membership on the university board of trustees has been favorably received by students.d. the least valid reason for involving students in university governance was that it lessens the probability of student-administrative confrontation.Students, faculty, and administrators were undecided as to whether:a. it is more desirable to err in the direction of over-delegation of responsibility to students than in the direction of under-delegation.b. most of the student participation to date has been granted in response to student pressure.c. currently, students participation in the University Senate is adequate to elicit student input.4. Student, faculty, and administrator participants and non-participants in university governance were undecided as to whether most of the present student participation is little more than token indulgence.5. Student, faculty, and administrator participants in university governance were undecided as to whether collective bargaining would severely hinder the student influence in future academic governance.6. Student, faculty, and administrator non-participants in university governance tended to disagree with the statement that students are recognized as a significant force in influencing the governance of Ball State University.Major conclusions obtained from the study included:1. The extent of student participation in university governance supported by students, faculty, administrators, and trustees is related to the degree of decision-making power each group possesses.2. Persons holding power and decision-making positions are inclined to outwardly support expanding participation by students and faculty in governance while in reality controls and restraints on full participation are exercised through the number of participants involved, the selective withholding or providing of essential information, and strategic timing of issues presented for action.3. Students do not exert a significant force in influencing the governance of an institution.4. Open communication and cooperation among students, faculty, administrators, and trustees is essential for effective student participation in university governance.5. Students must be interested and willing to accept responsibility if student participation in university governance is to be effective.

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.