UTC NEWS RELEASE Wednesday, April 29, 1998 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. A Community Surveyed Hamilton County Residents Give UTC High Marks Some 84 percent of Hamilton County residents would be interested in attending UTC themselves or having their child attend the university. That's according to a scientific poll of county residents, conducted late last year as part of the university's information gathering leading to a new strategic planning effort. Of the 84 percent, 41 percent said they would be "very interested" in their own or a child's attendance at UTC, while 43 percent said they would be "somewhat interested" in that opportunity. The poll of 446 Hamilton County residents was conducted by the Center for Applied Social Research at UTC, under the direction of Dr. James Fraser of the UTC sociology faculty. "UTC values its identity as a metropolitan university," said Chancellor Bill Stacy. "Knowing what community residents think of UTC, and finding out what their goals are for the university, will be an important part of our planning in coming months." In addition to the poll of community residents, UTC earlier this year surveyed currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff about their perceptions of UTC and their goals for the university's future. Chancellor Stacy presented the findings of the various research projects in a public forum at the university on Wednesday. Other findings of community perceptions and knowledge about UTC included the following: Some 77 percent rated academic quality at UTC at UTC as "excellent (24 percent), or "good (53 percent). Only one percent of respondents rated academic quality as "poor." Sixty-six percent rated UTC's faculty as "excellent" (18 percent), or "good" (48 percent) The quality of fine arts events at UTC earned favorable ratings from 58 percent of those polled, with 15 percent rating the "excellent" and 43 percent "good." Thirteen percent rated fine arts events unfavorably, while 29 percent couldn't rate them. Sixty-three percent rated UTC's general community service as "excellent" (16 percent), or "good" (47 percent). Arena events earned a favorable evaluation from 67 percent of those polled, with 23 percent calling them "excellent" and 44 percent "good." Sporting events at UTC were considered "excellent" by 16 percent of those polled, while 40 percent said they were "good," for a combined favorable rating of 56 percent. Respondents had well-developed and generally favorable opinions of UTC "competitor" institutions Chattanooga State and UT-Knoxville, while having considerable fewer impressions of other state schools such as MTSU or Tennessee Tech. CSTCC rated well for student service, while UTK was well regarded for its diversity of academic programs. The report indicates that we have work to do on letting people know more about UTC, its opportunities, and its service to Chattanooga," said Chancellor Stacy. "But generally, it's a very good report card. Those who know us think very well of UTC." Community Survey ### Chuck Cantrell University Relations 425-4363

Last updated: April 30, 1998.
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