Perceptions of Student Affairs Services by Students and Student Affairs Personnel at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students and student affairs personnel of student affairs services at Andrews University's main campus in Berrien Springs, Michigan. A modified questionnaire, based on the work of Selgas and Blocker (1974) and Glenister (1977), was developed for this study. Eleven student services found in the Council for the Advancement of Standards for Student Services/Development Program's guidelines were included. A random sample of 280 students at Andrews University received surveys, with 165 (59%) responding. The 30 full-time student affairs personnel also received surveys, with 20 (67%) responding. Students and student affairs personnel rated their perceptions of student services, using 77 statements associated with these services. Services were rated on a 6-point scale in the categories of status of knowledge, relative importance, and effectiveness. Respondents were asked to include additional comments concerning the services and to provide biographical data. The following are some of the main findings: Significant differences between students' and student affairs personnel's status of knowledge of student services were found in career planning/employment, commuter programs/services, counseling services/substance abuse education, religious programs/services, student activities, and wellness/health. Significant differences between the two groups' perceptions of relative importance of student services were found in counseling services/substance abuse education, housing/residential life programs, international student/multicultural services, religious programs/services, student activities, and wellness/health. Significant differences between the two groups' perceptions of the effectiveness of student services were found in counseling services/substance abuse education, minority student programs/services, religious programs/services, services for students with disabilities, student activities, and wellness/health. Important information for the improvement of student services has resulted from this study, which provides student insights about student services that go beyond those of the current student affairs personnel. The study also provides a program-evaluation model unique to Andrews University for periodic assessment of the status and progress of student affairs services