Students were asked about their satisfaction with R/O in general as well as their satisfaction with specific aspects of R/O. Slightly fewer than three-fifths (57%) were satisfied with R/O, and 16 percent said they were dissatisfied. (1)(2) Dorm residents tended to indicate satisfaction with R/O more frequently than fraternity and ILG residents (60% compared with 49%, p<.05). Responses to individual items were mixed. (See Figure 2-1.)Residence
While over two-thirds of students thought R/O did a good job answering questions about the way residence selection functions, 50 percent or fewer thought R/O provided a good introduction to MIT living groups or gave them sufficient time to make housing decisions. (3) Almost a third had negative responses to these two items. Dorm residents were significantly more likely than fraternity and ILG residents to say R/O provided a good introduction to living groups and provided sufficient time to make a living group decision. (See figure 2-2.)
Women were more likely than men to say R/O provided a good introduction to living groups (60% vs. 42%, p<.001) and answered their questions about how residence selection works (76% vs. 64%, p<.01). Both men and women, however, claimed to be equally satisfied with R/O. Even when living group was held constant and only dormitory residents were compared, there were no differences between men and women in relation to attitudes about R/O or satisfaction with R/O.
Academics
Students thought academic orientation was weak. Only a third felt they had talked enough with their advisor about their first semester program, and only a quarter thought R/O answered their questions about academics (the freshman curriculum, academic opportunities, etc.). Few believed R/O provided adequate opportunities to talk to faculty, other than their advisor, about academic programs.
Adjustment
Although responses indicated that R/O fulfills an important social function because many friendships are made during that time, only two-fifths said that R/O helped ease their anxieties about being in a new environment.
Correlates of R/O Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with R/O 1994 was correlated most highly with attitudes about the degree to which R/O helped them adjust to a new environment, make friends, and provided sufficient information and time to make a living group decision. The academic aspects of R/O were less highly correlated with R/O satisfaction.
(1) Other R/O surveys conducted on Registration Day showed higher levels of satisfaction. In 1992, 71 percent were satisfied with R/O, and in 1993, 73 percent were satisfied. It is reasonable to expect that satisfaction levels might change after students have had a chance to reflect on R/O and how it may have helped them acclimate to MIT.
(2) In the Class of 1994 Senior Survey, 63 percent of the seniors said that R/O week had a positive effect on their freshman year experience, while 17 percent said it had a negative effect. 20 percent were neutral.
(3) In the Class of 1994 Senior Survey, 63 percent of the seniors said selecting a living group during the first week had a positive impact on their freshman year experience, whereas almost one-fifth (22%) said it had a negative impact.
