October 10, 2005
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Garrett McGuire
(801) 863-8504
UVSC Announces Survey Results
Awareness of Utah Valley State College has increased significantly locally and across the state of Utah, according to a recent survey. Some of the research objectives were to investigate public awareness of UVSC, evaluate the impact of Michael Moore’s visit to UVSC and rate UVSC’s reputation, quality of education, college environment and program offerings.
During the month of July 2005, telephone surveys were conducted of a demographic cross-section of the Wasatch Front. The survey compiled opinions from 600 Utah residents with 189 of those from Utah County, ± 4.5 percent. When poll participants were asked what words came to mind when they thought of UVSC the most numerous responses were, “good school,” “growing/developing,” “progressive” and “smaller.” When participants were asked if they have ever heard of UVSC, 93 percent of Utah residents had heard of UVSC, a substantial increase compared to the 79 percent of Utah residents in 2003.
“A cursory look at the increase in the awareness of the perception statewide can be attributed to the Hannity and Moore speeches last year. However, employees campus-wide have been actively engaged in reaching out to our community and target audiences before the speeches and after,” said Derek Hall, associate vice president for marketing and communications. “UVSC is now the third largest institution in the state and this survey shows that our support and perceptions have increased over the past two years."
The public opinion poll also provides results from multiple questions from the awareness that UVSC offers bachelor degrees to the general reputation of UVSC. Despite recent marketing efforts only 49 percent of Utah resident interviewees knew that UVSC offers bachelor degrees, which is the same percentage of interviewees who knew in 2003. However, in Utah County, 74 percent of interviewees were aware of the four-year degrees offered.
“We were disappointed by the awareness of four-year degrees at the College,” Hall said. “We’ve offered bachelor degrees since 1993, and currently have nearly 50 four-year degree programs offered. These results will help us focus our marketing efforts in the future.”
Poll participants were asked if they were selecting or recommending a college or university, how likely they would be to choose UVSC. In 2003, 13 percent said somewhat likely and 14 percent said very likely. In the recent poll, 17 percent of Utah residents said likely and 23 percent said very likely while 28 percent of Utah county residents said likely and 46 percent said very likely to recommend UVSC.
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