University of Washington Graduate School
2003 User Survey
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In January 2003, the Graduate School sent a survey to MyGradProgram (MGP) users regarding the Program's value in administering graduate education.  We appreciate your input and positive comments, and would like to extend our thanks to all participants for completing the survey.  The following responses are the results from this survey.

Number of responses (Approximately 110 departments represented):

103    Staff
  16    Faculty
 

How often do you refer to MGP?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Frequently, on a daily basis	33	27.73%
At least once a day	6	5.04%
Numerous times throughout a week	29	24.37%
Numerous time throughout a month	29	24.37%
Rarely	17	14.29%
Never	5	4.20%

Which features have you used in MGP? (Please check all that apply)
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Viewing applicant information	90	75.63%
Updating applicant information	36	30.25%
Viewing student information	93	78.15%
Viewing graduate appointment information	54	45.38%
Viewing students' current courses	32	26.89%
Viewing faculty information	47	39.50%
Viewing faculty members' doctoral committee appointments	53	44.54%
Establishing/Revising doctoral supervisory/reading committees	54	45.38%
Requesting GSFEI (Graduate School Fund for Excellence and Innovation) awards	49	41.18%
I have not used MGP	5	4.20%

Which resources within your department have been reduced with the use of MGP? (Please check all that apply)
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Staff/Faculty time	65	54.62%
Student help	6	5.04%
Paper	69	57.98%
None	26	21.85%

Is MGP a valuable resource for you?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, an extremely valuable resource	56	47.06%
Yes, a very valuable resource	28	23.53%
Yes, a moderately valuable resource	32	26.89%
No, it is not a valuable resource	3	2.52%

Has MGP enhanced the productivity within your department?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, it has greatly enhanced productivity	32	26.89%
Yes, it has moderately enhanced productivity	63	52.94%
No, it has not enhanced productivity	24	20.17%

Overall, do you find MGP easy to use?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, it is extremely easy to use	46	38.98%
Yes, it is very easy to use	50	42.37%
Yes, it is moderately easy to use	17	14.41%
No, it is not easy to use	5	4.24%

Is the applicant list and detail information useful?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, extremely useful	49	42.61%
Yes, very useful	32	27.83%
Yes, moderately useful	17	14.78%
Not applicable	17	14.78%
Did not respond	4	N/A

Is the student list and detail information useful?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, extremely useful	42	35.59%
Yes, very useful	38	32.20%
Yes, moderately useful	24	20.34%
Not applicable	14	11.86%
Did not respond	1	N/A

Is the faculty list and detail information useful
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, extremely useful	17	14.53%
Yes, very useful	38	32.48%
Yes, moderately useful	25	21.37%
No, it is not useful	3	2.56%
Not applicable	34	29.06%
Did not respond	2	N/A

Comparing the old process of establishing/revising doctoral supervisory/reading committees (letters mailed to the Graduate School, letters mailed back to the departments) to the new process on MGP, is the MGP process better?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, it is much better	59	50.00%
Yes, it is slightly better	4	3.39%
Can't compare because I didn't work with the old process	18	15.25%
Not applicable	37	31.36%
Did not respond	1	N/A

Do you think the e-mail message system used for doctoral supervisory/reading committees has improved communication between the students, committee members, Graduate School Representatives (GSRs) and the Graduate School?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, it has significantly improved communication	44	59.46%
Yes, it has slightly improved communication	22	29.73%
No, it has not improved communication	8	10.81%
Did not respond	45	N/A

Did you find it easy to submit and review GSFEI requests on MGP?
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes, it was extremely easy to use	24	33.80%
Yes, it was very easy to use	24	33.80%
Yes, it was moderately easy to use	11	15.49%
No, it was not easy to use	12	16.90%
Did not respond	48	N/A

Would you be interested in serving on the Graduate School's Graduate Process Advisory Committee to shape the continued development of MGP and, more generally, with process improvement in graduate education? This appointment would be a 1 - 2 year term with monthly meetings.
Answer	Responses	Percentages
Yes	28	25.69%
No	81	74.31%
Did not respond	10	N/A

Recommended future features (requested by 5 or more respondents)

• Provide easier downloading capabilities to department Access databases

• View student transcripts

• Better test score reporting

• Provide more admission decision options

• Early notification of master's degree request

General Comments (a sample of the 46 comments is listed below)

• I love it.  You've been extremely responsive to our needs.

• I still use SDB more than MGP.
   

• I'm very impressed with MGP, and I look forward to more developments in the future!

• Wasn't aware of the program.
   

• It is one of the best things ever developed to make administrative work easier and more efficient.  Communication about changes and the development process have been excellent.

• I think this survey was sent too soon.  Some lag time between the MGP 2.5 launch and this survey would have provided more useful feedback I suspect....at least with users such as myself with no doctoral committees or contact with the GSFEI requests.
   

• MGP is wonderful, it really has made me more efficient and better able to serve applicants (accessing information in a more timely way, cross-checking with my own records, etc.); eliminating extra steps, paperwork, and phone calls; I really appreciate all the effort that has gone into creating and improving it, and appreciate your getting GPA feedback.

• I don't know if it has improved communication, since I don't know if finding the colored sheets of paper in their mailboxes, listing the committee members, or an email is more effective in getting the attention of the students and faculty.  For myself, it is very nice just to get the email and not to have to copy and distribute it to the student and faculty.
   

• This system is the best thing since "sliced bread"!  I love it.

You may send comments or questions regarding the MGP survey to:

mgpinfo@u.washington.edu

© 2001 Graduate School, University of Washington mgpinfo@u.washington.edu