° ° . OFFICE of THE VICE CHANCELLOR
for DENT LIFE
East Carolina University or STUDENT LF

Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353 ot9-Fercats

June 27, 1988
HEMGRAWDUH

0: Those Interested

FRG: Elmer tieyer, Jr. z We
Vice Chancellor, Student Life

SUBJECT: Comparison Data About Our Entering Freshman Culled from the ACE-UCLA
Cooperative Institutional Research Programs for 1920, 1933, and 198

The attached information is taken from a more detailed print out of
information provided by our freshmen during the Summer Crientation Programs in
1980, 1983, and 1987. While male, female and total responses are given for
1987, only the total responses are included for 1980 and 1983. Wational
percentages for universities classified like ECU are provided for 1987 as
well. There are several notable shifts in response over the last eignt years.
Here are a few of them:

2ir average grades in high
81.4%, 1987 = 75.2%)

1, The number of freshmen who indicated th
school were 8- or above has diminished. (1980 =

2. liore freshmen nave met or exceeded recommended years of study in
English, mathematics, foreign languages, and art or music, while fewer freshmen
have met or exceeded standards in biological sciences and physical sciences
(between 1937 and 1983, question was not asked jin 1950). (See item number 2).

3. The estimated family income of students in the over $40,000 range has
increased from 18.2% in 1980 to 34.8% in 1983 to 53.6% in 1987. Those with
parental income below $10,000 has decreased from 37.3% in 1980 to 13.0 in 1987.

4. Fewer persons were reported to be currently dependent on parents for
support: Two or less = 29.8% in 1987 and 11.4% in 1980. Five or more = 19.4%
in 1987 and 33.4% in 1980,

F Fewer other dependents are currently enrolled in college: Wone =
71.0% in 1987 and 66.8% in 1980.

6. Almost 22% of the freshmen reported their parents were divorced or
Separated. (1937 only)

7. Of the several activities listed as having been engaged in by freshmen
during the past year, it is notable that "drank beer" decreased from 73.2% in
1983 to 68.8% in 1987. Also, only 12.9% indicated they had smoked cigarettes,
up 1.0% from 1983.

&. ECU was indicated as the first choice of 66.6% in 1987 and 71.5% in
1980.

East Carolina University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

 
9. A higher percentage of students applied for admission to two or more
colleges in 1987 (53.7%) than in 1980 (46.1%).

10. Of those items which 1987 freshmen indicated they can presently do
well, it is notable that only 28.8% know the freedoms in the Bill of Rights,
and 30.7% have no interest in learning them. (National average = 31.7%.and
28.1%) Only 8.8 % indicated they could identify classical compositions, while
66.6% were interested in learning to do so. (See questions 13 and 14 for
more.)

11, Probable career occupations show a slight increase in being a teacher
and a reduced interest in computer programming and nursing. (See item 15 for
41 other probable career occupations. )

12. The 1987 freshmen reported that over 60% of their fathers and 51.5% of
their mothers had some college, a college degree, some grad school, or a
graduate degree. In 1980, 42.9% of the fathers and 43.1% of the mothers had a
high school education or less. In 1987 the percent dropped to 33.1% of the
fathers and 38.0% of the mothers.

13. In the reasons noted as very important in deciding to go to college
more students wanted to "make more money (1987 = 76.3%, 1980 = 69.8%}, get away
from home (1987 = 17.2%, 1908 = 10.5%), and prepare for graduate school] (1987 =
90.0%, 1980 = 46.9%). Fewer students felt it important to gain @ general
education (1987 = 59,3%, 1980 = 70.2%), yo to college because parents wanted
them to go (1987 = 22.0%, 1980 = 37.8%) or to learn more about things (1987 =
72.3, 1980 = 76.1%).

14, In 1987, 35.9% indicated a very important reason for selecting ECU was
its good academic reputation. In 1980 it was 40.1%. ECU's good social
reputation was cited by 39.6% in 1987 and 27.6% in 1983. (See item 18 for
more).

15. The largest shifts in items under “Ubjectives considered to be
Essential or Very important" were:

[tem 1937 1980

Be well off financially a2 i
Help others in difficulty 59.

Raise a family DD

Develop a philosophy of life Shi

Promote racial understanding Ya
Be involved in environmental

cleanup be)
Participate in community action 22.

 
-3-

16, Freshmen were asked whether they agreed with twenty one social and
political issue items (see item 25). Of these issues, the following eight
showed the greatest change in percentage between 1980 and 1987:

Item 19% 980 Diff

a. Prohibit homosexual relations 62. 08. + 4,
b. Sex ok if people like each
other : 14, +11,
Marijuana should be legalized } j
Live together before marriage
Should abolish death penalty
Women's activities best in home
Increase federal military
spend ing
Gov't not protecting consumer

17, Uther items which are not included in the attached table but are in the
Survey materials available in this office are:

~--- Year Graduated from High School
~---'Age, Dec. 31, 1987
~--- Racial background
---- Twin status
~--- Highest degree planned at freshmen college
~--- Highest degree planned anywhere
~--- Student rated self above average or in highest 10%
---- Native English speaker
Hours per week in the last year spent on
Probable major field of study
---— U.S. Citizen
~--- Father's Occupation (iiote: 37.5% indicated businessman)
~--- Father's religious preference (36.8% Baptist, 18.6% iiethodist)
~--- tlother's Occupation (13.4% indicated full time homemaker )
---- fore detail on sources for educational expenses
~--- Student estimate chances are very good they will---(25 items)

In summary, freshmen in 1987 seem to show more self interest (being wel]
off financially, making more money, etc.) and less interest in community
service, helping others, or developing a philosophy of life. 1987 fresmen also
come from smaller families than earlier and the education level of parents is
higner than the freshmen of 1980. Incomes of parents are higher today and
there is somewhat less concern about financing a college education.

For those interested, breakdowns and further information is available in
this office. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

EM/bv