Perceptions of Student Services among Traditional and CAPA Students
Denise Chacon

University of La Verne
Method
Participants This study of perception of student services at the University of La Verne consisted of a total of 20 participants. Ten traditional and ten Campus Accelerated Program for Adults (CAPA) students completed this perception survey. Participants included eleven female students and nine male students ages 18 to 49. Three University of La Verne psychology undergraduate students recruited participants on the university campus during day and evening hours in common areas and classroom settings. Some participants were recruited from the Hoover lounge areas and classrooms, Founders Hall classrooms and the athletic department. The selection process to obtain participants was based on a convenience sample. See Table 1 for demographic characteristics for the participants in the study.
Measures
Information was collected on the student’s gender, ethnic background (i.e., African American/Black, Asian, Euro-American/White, Native American, Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic American, Multi-Cultural/Ethnic, Multi/Bi Racial), student type (i.e., traditional and CAPA), and student level (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). The perception survey was created by the researchers to assess perceptions that students have for services given at the University of La Verne. The perception survey included statements about career services, health services, academic advisors, counseling center, and financial aid. For example, one question asked if the student was aware that there are career services or counseling center offered on campus. In addition, there were questions regarding how well the services were known, how helpful the services were, and how beneficial they thought the services were. Participants were asked to read and rate 26 statements dealing with their general perceptions on these student services. They were asked to rate them using a 5-point Likert scale (A=strongly agree, B=agree mildly, C=undecided, D=disagree, E=strongly disagree).
Procedure
Potential participants were chosen by the three researchers and were individually approached. The researcher asked the selected individual if they would be able to participate in a research study regarding their perception of student services offered at the University of La Verne. Informed written consents were obtained and signed from the participants. Then the participants completed the demographic and student services questionnaire. Participants took approximately 20 minutes to complete the survey. Upon completing the study, the researchers explained the purpose of the study and thanked participants for their participation.
Results
In this study the independent variable consisted of two student types (traditional and CAPA students). The dependent variable was self-reported student perceptions. Twenty participants were included in the analysis. Prior to analyses, the variables were screened for any missing values and outliers. The values of question number 21 on the survey were reversed coded to prevent a threat to internal validity. The researchers also ran an Independent Samples t-Test to determine significant perception differences. There were significant differences found between student types, such that CAPA students take advantage of career services (M=3.1, SD=1.66) more often than traditional students (M=2.8, SD= .92), t(-.50)=9.65, p=.006.
Table 1
Participant demographics
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Traditional (n=10) CAPA (n=10) Total (n=20)
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Age (M/SD) 20(1.17) 37(7.97) 29(10.68)
Gender
Female 5(50%) 6(60%) 11(55%) Male 5(50%) 4(40%) 9(45%)
Ethnicity
African- American/ Black 1(10%) 1(10%) 2(10%) Asian 0(0%) 3(30%) 3(15%)