Methodology
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This project compiles a variety of data, statistical findings and public records relating to on-campus living at the 14 Southeastern Conference campuses. Each member of this project took two to three campuses to investigate, and the entire group conducted a blanket investigation into the University of Florida.
Most of the information was found through searches using the Google search engine and its Advanced Search option to narrow results. Search terms used include the names of the schools and the specific fields being researched. The fields the group wanted to research, to determine what the numbers had to say about living on campus, fell under the umbrella of well-being. As such, the group searched for campus statistics on health, safety inspections, amenities, costs and safety incidents, such as fire and crime reports.
To obtain a detailed overview of each university, each group member began a search to locate basic factual information about each campus they were assigned. This information included such details as the demographic breakdown, total enrollment figures and student retention rates. Search terms included in this part of the investigation were “tuition rates”, “demographics for X University”, “factbook for X University.” This information proved highly useful because it provided excellent context into the schools being researched.
This information also allowed the group to see if there were any major differences between schools that may potentially affect the issues of wellness being investigated. To locate this information, the group primarily used search functions on the universities’ websites. The specific sources used include reports and other material published by the universities.
No formal, paper public records requests were necessary because data was available online. Those who made requests were told to find the information on relevant websites and databases by a university official.
Furthermore, the group began the investigation in the well-being of students living on campus at each institution by searching information related to residential services provided at each university. The starting point for this research began primarily through Google. After locating institutional websites, most information related to residential services was found on the school’s housing portal.
For example, when investigating UF, research was conducted on the Department of Residence Education website. The group also researched individual universities’ policies and large-scale plans regarding residential matters. This information was obtained from searching topics such as “residence hall regulations,” “residence hall master plan” and “building department for X University.” Located documents regarding residential services include website information, brochures, official housing audits and official university housing plans published by the housing department for each university.
Research was also conducted into the dining services available on each campus. The group obtained brochures and other material published by each university to analyze the quality of each dining program’s policies and options. After compiling research into these services for each university, the group was able to analyze whether there were major discrepancies between available services at each school, or whether some schools clearly provided more for students living on campus.
The next section of research into the well-being of students living on campus comprised health-related issues and services. To begin this broad investigation, the group began by researching the health services available on campus for each university. The start of this investigation primarily took place on each university’s main website.
After locating each institution’s health services website, the group obtained information and documents that revealed the university’s efforts to address such issues as illness prevention, sexual health and wellness, mental health, etc. Information gathered during this part of the research process included student health survey reports, brochures and material on the institution’s website regarding health services. The group collectively compared each university’s services to determine whether there were any differences between the services offered and to discuss the quality of institution’s programs.
Environmental issues were another aspect of the group’s research into health and well-being concerns for students living on campus. For this area of research, the group investigated topics such as the presence of asbestos and lead paint in residence halls, the university’s policies regarding potentially hazardous materials on campus, and policies and statistics regarding emergency environmental and health-related disasters.
After searching on each university’s website, the group located official reports and documents including safety inspection results, university policies and health-related plans. The group was also able to locate campus-specific health concerns on the federal Environmental Protection Agency website. Using a specialized feature, the group mapped out hazardous materials and other environmental safety concerns that the EPA deemed noteworthy within .7 miles of each campus.
This area of research proved highly significant because the group was able to analyze the findings in order to compare these concerns that may pose a threat to the health of students living on campus at each university.
Another issue the group investigated related to the health and well-being of students is fire safety on each campus. For each institution, annual fire safety reports for four years were obtained that stated the instances of fires in residence halls and also detailed the university's policies and facilities (number of fire drills conducted each semester, sprinkler system installations, etc.) regarding fire safety.
The group located these reports both from the county fire marshal’s office and on the university’s website. The group also located newspaper articles and other documents related to fire safety by conducting Google searches such as “residence hall fire for X University,” “fire safety procedures for X University,” “on-campus fires for X University.” The group then analyzed these findings.
Lastly, the group conducted extensive searches into crime information for each university. By searching on the police department websites terms such as “crime reports”, “crime statistics” and “safety reports” for each university, each group member was able to locate official crime reports for several years as mandated by the Clery Act.
These reports were highly detailed and included statistics based on location and type of crime. The group also conducted research into the each university’s policies regarding crime management through the universities’ police department websites. After obtaining these documents, the group was then able to analyze the instances of crime on each university’s campus and also compare the quality of each university's crime management services.
Through these keys areas of research, the group was able to uncover revealing information related to the quality of life for students living on campus at each of the 14 universities in the SEC.
Most of the information was found through searches using the Google search engine and its Advanced Search option to narrow results. Search terms used include the names of the schools and the specific fields being researched. The fields the group wanted to research, to determine what the numbers had to say about living on campus, fell under the umbrella of well-being. As such, the group searched for campus statistics on health, safety inspections, amenities, costs and safety incidents, such as fire and crime reports.
To obtain a detailed overview of each university, each group member began a search to locate basic factual information about each campus they were assigned. This information included such details as the demographic breakdown, total enrollment figures and student retention rates. Search terms included in this part of the investigation were “tuition rates”, “demographics for X University”, “factbook for X University.” This information proved highly useful because it provided excellent context into the schools being researched.
This information also allowed the group to see if there were any major differences between schools that may potentially affect the issues of wellness being investigated. To locate this information, the group primarily used search functions on the universities’ websites. The specific sources used include reports and other material published by the universities.
No formal, paper public records requests were necessary because data was available online. Those who made requests were told to find the information on relevant websites and databases by a university official.
Furthermore, the group began the investigation in the well-being of students living on campus at each institution by searching information related to residential services provided at each university. The starting point for this research began primarily through Google. After locating institutional websites, most information related to residential services was found on the school’s housing portal.
For example, when investigating UF, research was conducted on the Department of Residence Education website. The group also researched individual universities’ policies and large-scale plans regarding residential matters. This information was obtained from searching topics such as “residence hall regulations,” “residence hall master plan” and “building department for X University.” Located documents regarding residential services include website information, brochures, official housing audits and official university housing plans published by the housing department for each university.
Research was also conducted into the dining services available on each campus. The group obtained brochures and other material published by each university to analyze the quality of each dining program’s policies and options. After compiling research into these services for each university, the group was able to analyze whether there were major discrepancies between available services at each school, or whether some schools clearly provided more for students living on campus.
The next section of research into the well-being of students living on campus comprised health-related issues and services. To begin this broad investigation, the group began by researching the health services available on campus for each university. The start of this investigation primarily took place on each university’s main website.
After locating each institution’s health services website, the group obtained information and documents that revealed the university’s efforts to address such issues as illness prevention, sexual health and wellness, mental health, etc. Information gathered during this part of the research process included student health survey reports, brochures and material on the institution’s website regarding health services. The group collectively compared each university’s services to determine whether there were any differences between the services offered and to discuss the quality of institution’s programs.
Environmental issues were another aspect of the group’s research into health and well-being concerns for students living on campus. For this area of research, the group investigated topics such as the presence of asbestos and lead paint in residence halls, the university’s policies regarding potentially hazardous materials on campus, and policies and statistics regarding emergency environmental and health-related disasters.
After searching on each university’s website, the group located official reports and documents including safety inspection results, university policies and health-related plans. The group was also able to locate campus-specific health concerns on the federal Environmental Protection Agency website. Using a specialized feature, the group mapped out hazardous materials and other environmental safety concerns that the EPA deemed noteworthy within .7 miles of each campus.
This area of research proved highly significant because the group was able to analyze the findings in order to compare these concerns that may pose a threat to the health of students living on campus at each university.
Another issue the group investigated related to the health and well-being of students is fire safety on each campus. For each institution, annual fire safety reports for four years were obtained that stated the instances of fires in residence halls and also detailed the university's policies and facilities (number of fire drills conducted each semester, sprinkler system installations, etc.) regarding fire safety.
The group located these reports both from the county fire marshal’s office and on the university’s website. The group also located newspaper articles and other documents related to fire safety by conducting Google searches such as “residence hall fire for X University,” “fire safety procedures for X University,” “on-campus fires for X University.” The group then analyzed these findings.
Lastly, the group conducted extensive searches into crime information for each university. By searching on the police department websites terms such as “crime reports”, “crime statistics” and “safety reports” for each university, each group member was able to locate official crime reports for several years as mandated by the Clery Act.
These reports were highly detailed and included statistics based on location and type of crime. The group also conducted research into the each university’s policies regarding crime management through the universities’ police department websites. After obtaining these documents, the group was then able to analyze the instances of crime on each university’s campus and also compare the quality of each university's crime management services.
Through these keys areas of research, the group was able to uncover revealing information related to the quality of life for students living on campus at each of the 14 universities in the SEC.