MSU sends out state-wide survey to help in planning

Montana State University officials are asking for help from thousands of Montanans who will soon be receiving a survey in their mailboxes that ask their opinions about the university.

March 01, 2004 — by MSU News Service

http://www.montana.edu/commserv/csnews/nwview.php?article=1533

"We want to know what the people of Montana think about Montana State University so the university can better serve the state," said Jim Rimpau, executive director of the MSU Office of Planning and Analysis.

Rimpau said his office has designed a short survey that will be sent to 3,000 randomly selected households in the state. The university has also provided a self-addressed stamped envelope to facilitate the return of the survey, he said. Results from the survey will help university and state planners better address the needs and concerns of Montanans.

According to Chris Fastnow, who designed the survey, all responses are confidential and the survey is anonymous, "unless those surveyed share their name with us in their response." She estimates that the survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Surveys were sent out last week and should be returned by March 15.

Rimpau said the purpose of the survey is to help MSU provide better-targeted services to Montanans. It will also help the university understand how the public feels about MSU services

"We want to know the most important thing the university does, according to the people of the state," he said.

For instance, the first question on the survey is an open-ended question asking the respondent what the first thing that comes into his or her mind when they think of MSU-Bozeman. The second question asks the respondent to rate the quality of eight different categories of MSU programs and activities.

Rimpau said the results of the survey will be evaluated internally and will help the university develop new services and programs as well as refine programs that work.

Persons with questions about the survey may contact the MSU Office of Communications and Public Affairs at (406) 994-4571.

Contact: Cathy Conover, 994-4571, Jim Rimpau (406) 994-4390