BASiC Mid-Year Survey 2012-2013

54, 37%

16, 11%

49, 34%

4, 3% 21, 14%

1, 1%

Responses by program

Cognitive Science

Environment

Multi-track

Sustainability,Science andSocietyUndeclared

24, 16%

43, 30%

33, 23%

44, 30%

1, 1%

Responses by year

U0

U1

U2

U3+

(blank)

BASiC Mid-Year Survey: January 2013

General 145 responses (24% of BA&Sc enrolment)

Do you know where the BASiC office is?

Yes – 90 (62.5%)

No – 54 (37.5%)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

U0 U1 U2 U3+ U1 U2 U3+ U0 U1 U2 U3+ U1 U2 U0 U1 (blank)

Cognitive Science Environment Multi-track Sustainability,Science and

Society

Undeclared (blank)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

U0 U1 U2 U3+ U0 U1 U2 U3+ (blank)

No Yes (blank)

11%

40%

13%

26%

10%

I am satisfied with the accessibility of academic advising for Arts & Science students.

143 responses

14%

37%

13%

23%

13%

I am satisfied with the quality of academic advising for Arts & Science students.

139 responses

12%

29%

40%

12%

7%

I am satisfied with the level of peer/student support for academic matters.

140 responses

16%

33%39%

8%4%

I am satisfied with the performance of the BASiC Academic Committee.

142 responses

Academics Advising and Student Support

strongly agree

somewhat agree

somewhat disagree

strongly disagree

neither agree nor disagree

BASC 201 Have you taken BASC 201?

Yes – 7 (5%)

No – 136 (95%)

Comments on BASC 201:

I think it's a great course, I wish there was a better structure to it.

Interesting class and good prof.

It was awesome, although probably too easy.

BASC 201 is a pretty good class. Since it's cross-listed, we didn't go as in depth into the science as I

would have liked. However, the perspective gained through the different topics made the class

much more interesting. More writing/creative projects would improve understanding and allow the

class to move faster.

I answered no, but I actually sat in on some of the classes. One of the major reasons I dropped it was

because it was cross listed with a comms course. Please don't do this. I was originally drawn to the

class because I thought it would be a small ArtSci which would allow me to meet other ArtScis.

Instead it was mostly Comm students (nothing against them of course). Material seems mildly

interesting IMO but I'm probably not qualified to evaluate that.

I don’t know what that is!

I really liked the course. I learned a lot about many different things and there was no textbook which

was great. Having a lot of guest lecturers who knew about a variety of subjects was also interesting.

Professor Lefebvre was a fair grader.

Program Changes I would support…

Expanding the list of freshman science courses – 103 (72%)

Creation of new interfaculty programs – 105 (73%)

Other – 3 (2%):

Being able to complete more than one minor with an interfaculty major

Allowing multitrack people to stay an extra year to complete a full B. Sc. in science

The faculty of science and faculty of arts should be merged entirely

Comments Administration and advisors

Advisors don’t know the programs and options well enough, not very helpful

Advisors should be more accessible to Arts Sci students

Specific Arts Sci advisors

Admission process should have a more comprehensive explanation of the Arts Sci program

Courses

Limited freshman science requirement list should be expanded

Limited science major options

Relevant courses overlooked, review and expand requirement lists

Mostly just the courses should be expanded to include more. (commented under “Representation”)

Limited and science-heavy freshman year

It would be cool if there was a 1 credit course each year for Art Sci students, in areas like

epistemology, collaborative research, source analysis, and presentation skills (perhaps reading

articles and then presenting them to the class). These courses would teach valuable skills and

increase a sense of unity!

Program-related

Five year program where you get two full degrees

More interfaculty programs

Interfaculty programs (new and old) should provide direction and stability

More interdisciplinary-based programs, otherwise just parallels single faculty + minor

Interfaculty programs should allow the option to minor in any discipline

More flexibility

Community

Difficult to meet arts sci students, especially in science courses

Mentorship would have been helpful

More academic and student support

Cognitive Science

Courses are restricted or not offered

PHIL 210 should be removed as a requirement

No dedicated professors or departments

Many prereqs for complementary courses

Restrictive

Too stringent. Not enough courses offered and you're only allowed to take 2 courses outside of the

ones that are offered. Requirements made it hard to complete my degree on time.

Events Orientation/Frosh Attended – 100 (70%)

Did not attend – 42 (30%)

Interuniversity Conference on Education Attended – 7 (5%)


Town Hall Attended – 25 (18%)


Semi-Formal (Gotham City Gala) Attended – 24 (17%)


Cognitive Science Research Day Attended – 35 (25%)


Comments General

Most of those who commented seemed like they wanted more events.

Overwhelming response that BASiC events should be more publicized and publicized earlier to

increase turn-out and reach more students.

Mixed feedback on Frosh. One person said it was a lot of fun and that the organizers for BASiC did a

great job, while another said they did not enjoy frosh because of the big party atmosphere.

Suggestions

Movie nights

Informal Gerts nights

Events for mature students

Seminar for Arts&Sci students for choosing their major

Casual forums where Arts&Sci students could come together and talk about their majors, academic

careers, experiences, future goals, etc.

Arts&Sci intramural teams.

Excellent57%

Good39%

Neutral4%

If you attended, Please rate Semi-Formal [Gotham City Gala]

Excellent57%

Good43%

If you attended, Rate Cognitive Science Research Day

First-Year Outreach 45 out of 145 survey participants were first years (31%)

BASiC Buddies Are you a participant in the BASiC Buddies Program?

12 out of 45 first years are participants (27%)

24 out of 100 older students are Buddies (24%)

A total of 32 participants in the 145 responses (22%)

If yes, have you attended any of the BASiC Buddies events?

5 out of 12 first-year participants in the Buddies program have attended events (42%)

10 out of 24 older Buddies have attended (42%)

FASC Are you aware that the Freshman Arts & Science Committee (FASC) exists to provide support and

organise events for first-year ArtScis?

33 of 45 are aware of the resources FASC offers (73%)

Have you attended any events organised by FASC?

10 first years have attended FASC events (22%)

What topics would you like to see covered at an academic info session for first-years?

35 interested in research opportunities (78%)

33 interested in career opportunities (73%)

30 interested in choosing majors (67%)

26 interested in advising/where to ask for help (58%)

All the options seemed fairly popular, with more than half of the first-years requesting every single one.

Some other suggestions were sessions on summer, volunteer, travel, and internship opportunities, while

another student indicated that they would appreciate “any info,” as most of their decisions felt

uninformed and “shaky.”

Comments 4 out of 45 students commented, 3 responded positively, thinking that the BASiC committees are

working hard and doing great, feeling welcomed into the Arts & Science Program, and enjoying the

events

Future events could be done in residences, as that might increase turnout

A member of FASC commented that although they are working hard to unite the first-years through

starting study groups, it is difficult due to everyone taking different courses. Develop unity at the

very start, during Frosh, or even over the summer

Letters from Arts & Science sent to the first-years should be delivered properly this time, to ensure

that all the incoming students will be aware of BASiC and all the resources we offer

Multiple people commented under “Events” that the BASiC Buddies program should be more

publicized, begin earlier in the semester (maybe even August), and have more events throughout

the year.

52%

29%

10%

5%

4% 0%

I am satisfied with Arts & Science student representation to... [AUS Council]

113 responses

52%

30%

8%

6%

4% 0%

I am satisfied with Arts & Science student representation to... [SUS Council]

112 responses

48%

25%

19%

4%4% 0%

I am satisfied with Arts & Science student representation to... [University administration]

113 responses

60%21%

13%

4%

2% 0%

I am satisfied with Arts & Science student representation to... [Organisations external to McGill]

110 responses

48%

17%

15%

14%

6%

I feel informed about issues relevant to Arts & Science students.

115 responses

34%

31%

25%

7%

3% 0%

I feel Arts & Science student representatives are accessible if I wish to voice my opinions.

114 responses

Representation Summary

strongly agree

somewhat agree

somewhat disagree

strongly disagree

neither agree nor disagree

Would you support the allocation of an Arts & Science student seat on University Senate?

Yes – 131 (94%)

No – 8 (6%)

Note: Based on this response, BASiC and the Arts & Science Representative to SSMU worked to pass a

motion amending the SSMU By-Laws to re-allocate vacant Senator seats to smaller programs, including

Arts & Science. This motion was passed by SSMU Legislative Council on February 7, 2013.

Comments General

Connecting students of the same program

I don't feel enough unity to seek representation.

More visibility towards Arts and Science students- many people don't know about BASiC at all.

Communication

It's hard to evaluate BASiC's representation on AUS/ SUS/ admin - we have no information that

could help us evaluate?

It'll be beneficial for the execs to include updates in listservs/ on the site so we know what

everyone's up to/ what's going on. While not everyone cares about BASiC, it'll be very helpful for

those who do, especially those who want to run for something but don't have a good idea of what

each position does. (And not everyone can make Assembly!) It'll also hold the execs accountable for

them to provide an update to the program. (E.g. such as "what's the VP Academic working on?")

Senate

Not sure what other responsibilities come with having a seat on university senate that may affect

others negatively. If there are none, then it's a fine idea.

We need a seat on University Senate!

Independence General

Services

140 responses for access to FACL, AUS essay centre/peer tutoring, AUS/SUS employment and

volunteering

139 responses for access to the AUS lounge

137 responses for SUS peer tutoring

111 responses for priority in Leacock locker rentals

Are there any services not listed above that you would like to see BASiC provide?

An overwhelming majority, 19 of 28 who commented, were concerned with maintaining 24-hour access

to Burnside basement and CTF printing credits.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

Never Rarely Occasionally Frequently

I have used or would use the following...

[Priority in Leacock locker rentals]

[Access to the AUS Lounge]

[24-hour access to the Faculty ofArts Computer Lab]

[AUS essay centre/peer tutoring]

[SUS peer tutoring]

[been employed by the AUS/SUS]

[volunteered for the AUS/SUS]

33%

30%

15%

14%

8%

0%

I support BASiC continuing to pursue the option of becoming a faculty association independent of AUS and SUS.

111 responses

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Strongly disagree

Somewhat disagree

Other suggestions included:

24-hour access to McConnell Engineering building

Dedicated student space/study space

Faculty-specific BA&Sc advisors

Wine and cheeses, research days

One respondent indicated they were “not really aware of too many services”.

Comments A few commenters were highly in support and a few were strongly against the proposal. Many were

more hesitant and commonly expressed concerns about :

ArtSci views getting lost in the shuffle, loss of ability to communicate opinions about important

issues, such as the potential Arts strike last year. Concerns that independence should not entail

“isolating ourselves”

Some felt more connected to departmental associations rather than a strong sense of connection to

Arts & Science

Limiting ArtScis’ options as a student or involvement in Arts or Science faculty events. Some

respondents expressed appreciation for the fact that ArtScis have access to both faculties.

BASiC’s ability to provide a similar level of services at comparable costs, if ArtScis were to lose access

to AUS/SUS services

Need to fully inform students of the repercussions of independence before making the switch, and

minimize negative repercussions of the transition on students

Comments are appendiced on the following pages.

Comments on independence:

Access to benefits that are offered via AUS and SUS make being an ArtsSci student so appealing, and I

feel as though having BASiC offer these same services would only increase costs or make things harder

for us. For example, access to a faculty lounge is amazing, but with the lack of space on campus, we'd

have to fight with other organizations to find a space of our own. Autonomy has it's benefits, but the

downsides outweigh them in my mind, unfortunately.

Again, I think we need to continue to pay some science and arts fees to get access to printing in

Burnside basement and the Arts lounge!

Good idea, but obviously there are big concerns like financing and legitimacy. AUS and SUS have

thousands of students but we don't have those numbers... I guess the question is whether we should

wait to get those numbers before doing this, or do this in hopes of getting more numbers. In any case,

I think it's a cause worth fighting for.

Having access to the same services/buildings/etc. as AUS and SUS is very convenient and a great

resource to have, but it gets very overwhelming to receive emails daily/weekly from BASIC, AUS, SUS

and then from my major and minor departments (Biology and Geography). Perhaps if the BASIC

emails could contain the information that the AUS and SUS emails do, it would be more convenient

and organized.

I do not think arts and science should become independent. Part of the excellence of being an arts

and science student is access to both faculties, becoming independent only limits me as a student and

I would strongly consider leaving the program in order to be part of the science faculty and just

continue my arts minors since currently I have a science major and 2 arts minors.

I feel much more connected to the student associations affiliated with my majors than with Arts Sci. I

think distancing Arts/Sci students from these groups by becoming independent from AUS and SUS

would be detrimental. All of our classes are either Arts or Science classes, not Arts/Sci; it is therefore

important to maintain some kind of integration in both of these faculties.

I like being an Arts and Science student. I was one in CEGEP too. And I respect the notion of A&S as

something unique, different from the just-science and just-arts groups. But I need to know, before I

consider placing my support behind this proposal, exactly what will be affected by such a change.

BASiC may punch above its weight, but it's still a small entity in a university dominated by science,

arts, engineering, medicine, management…and I question whether it would be able to provide the

same services as the faculty associations do. Maybe that isn't fair, and maybe I just don't know

enough about the proposal and the committee behind it (which has been awesome in all my dealings

with it). But the driving ideal behind A&S, as I see it, is to avoid limiting oneself, and this should be the

first question we address before making major changes to the way BASiC is run.

I like the idea of having more legitimacy, but I would be most worried about the possibility of reduced

services and access.

I think that a document with more details on the wins and loss of BASiC independence and publish it

to all Arts & Science students might get us more informed and make a better decision. It might be

better to include the possible bargains with AUS and SUS on some of the services.

I think that we benefit from being in Arts and in Science US's. I don't know much about it, but BASiC is

small in comparison and probably would not have enough money to provide as many services as we

currently get. In my opinion it's also nice to be more integrated rather than isolating ourselves,

although I can imagine that on council one might like the freedom that would come with being our

own department.

I think this is a horrible idea. I love being part of both faculties, as it gives me access to almost

everything at McGill. Additionally, I feel better represented by my department associations

(psychology student association, and sociology student association) - I do not need basic to represent

my "unique arts&science views", because I do not have any!

I'm glad that we have our own faculty but at the same time am not very opinionated about being our

own association.

Looks good, I am excited to see where this goes! :)

Make sure you don't lose our free printing in Burnside!!

Since we are so small I like being associated with the two bigger programs: AUS and SUS. I feel like I

am getting the best of 3 worlds (getting all 3 listservs, being able to participate in either frosh). If Basic

were to become independent I would not want to lose those benefits.

This is not pertaining to the proposal but what I would really like is to have after hours access to

Mcconnell Engineering building after hours (as BSc students do). We pay the same fees/ have the

same requirements as BSc students so I don't understand why our ID cards don't get access to the

building?

You guys are doing a great job with this survey, keep advocating and hopefully our program will

progress!

Although I see the merits of having additional ArtsSci representation as opposed to AUS and SUS

representing us, I'm concerned about us getting lost in the shuffle. Specifically, if AUS had gone on

strike last year, from what I know of the situation ArtSci students would have been affected by class

cancellations without having a voice on the matter, had student representation existed in the manner

that it does now- that loss of ability to communicate opinions about important issues worries me.

Independence would be nice I guess. A pretty strong argument for independence was made during

the first town hall, and as a member of BASiC of course I'd love to see the committee truly become

independent. I think the only thing we really need to worry about is making sure everyone is

informed before we make this switch, and also making sure that there aren't too many negative

repercussions to students in ArtSci. Currently I feel that a lot of ArtSci students view themselves as

both Arts and Science (which is how it should be IMO), and it would be really weird if one day we

were suddenly cut off from Arts services and Sciences services because BASiC independence means

we're "neither." It seems as though a lot of consideration has already gone into this though and I'm

sure the execs know what they're doing :P

would prevent arts and science students from running for arts or science seats. does this also affect

arts and sci students ability to participate in or art faculty or science faculty events?

As a faculty we have fewer opportunities for the wide range of things the students focus in, and if say

someone double majoring in neuro and english lit can no longer attend or participate in science neuro

or arts english lit events, it is not worth seeking our own representation

BASiC Mid-Year Survey 2012-2013

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Transcript of BASiC Mid-Year Survey 2012-2013