Comparing the non-academic needs of the traditional and non-traditional students at the College of Saint Teresa -- Fall, 1987

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis research was to determine selected differences between the older undergraduate student population (25 years and above in age) and the younger undergraduate student population (17 to 24 years of age) enrolled at the College of Saint Teresa. These two groups were compared with respect to the usage of, satisfaction with and perceived need for student personnel and academic support services. The subjects consisted of the entire population, 376 students enrolled at the College of Saint Teresa during the fall semester, 1987. The Supportive Services Survey (Kasworm, 1976) was used to assess the perceptions of need, usage and level of satisfaction of student personnel and academic support services. The survey was mailed to each student. The scored answers for the Supportive Services Survey were recorded on a personal computer using Lotus 1-2-3 software. The data from the research study were evaluated using chi square. This non-parametric statistical procedure examined the association between younger and older students and their usage of, level of satisfaction with and level of need for supportive services. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. Because supportive services are a significant element in students' success in higher education, these research findings help pinpoint services which are presently inadequate or which should be created for the older student population. These findings also helped establish the knowledge base for potential planning in relation to the older student.