A recent study indicated that almost 30 percent of UNA students named the faculty as being the most satisfying part of their UNA experience. The study was conducted as part of a marketing research report presented by the UNA Office of Research, Planning and Assessment.

“A majority of students cited that their most satisfying experience while attending UNA was related to the instructional experience, whether that be due to the quality of faculty or their appreciation of small class sizes,” according to the report. “Furthermore, a large percentage of those surveyed could recall no outstanding negative experience associated with their time as a UNA student.”

For this particular survey, a total of 44 non-returning students or their parents were contacted and asked what they considered to be the most and least satisfying aspects of UNA. The survey indicated that faculty was most satisfying, followed by general social reasons and class size.

“I think it’s a very accurate statement,” said Bailey Witt, UNA senior. “Because UNA is a smaller university, faculty and students are able to interact with each other on a more personal level. Most professors are very understanding and willing to help students any way they can.”

Witt said she has enjoyed taking classes from most of the faculty at UNA that have taught her.

“If I didn’t like the professors, I would not have encouraged my younger sister to attend this great school in the fall,” she said.

Lavonda Cruse, UNA junior, came to the university after sustaining injuries that led her to pursue a different career and cites the faculty as having a positive impact on her readjustment to college life.

“I came because UNA had everything I needed,” she said. “I wasn’t familiar with UNA at all but I’ve been here for a year and have not had a teacher who was not helpful. Everyone here is willing to help you, everybody is really good.”

Cruse said she agrees with the other statistics and finds the class size and fellow students especially helpful.

“The teachers here seem to go out of their way to help,” Cruse said. “It’s like (students and faculty) want you to pass and want you to know things and be educated. They just want you to get a good grade.”

The study indicated that 36 percent of those surveyed did not state a significant negative experience while attending UNA.

“Most of these students indicated that there were personal reasons why they chose not to enroll in the fall 2012 semester,” according to the report. “The highest category of negative experience was ‘dorm life,’ as 15.9 percent of respondents indicated such.”

Josh Smith, UNA junior, said he did not believe the statistics fairly represented the student body.

“While UNA does provide excellent faculty members, it has been my personal experience that some are lacking greatly,” Smith said. “However, what I do believe is drawing in more students and keeping current students is the slightly greater than mediocre faculty, combined with lower tuition and location convenience. These seem to be more attractive for UNA than students’ opinions of the faculty.”

Stephanie Simmons, UNA student, also said the study may not accurately represent the entire student body’s experiences, although she believes UNA’s faculty are unique in many ways.

“I think it’s that most of them have a unique way of teaching classes,” Simmons said. “I think it’s just the way they handle the students and the classroom— they are real down to earth. They don’t talk to students like they’re children.”