Survey reveals new attitudes of freshmen
ACADEMICS:First-year students want higher degrees, but lack
interest in learning, politics
By J. Sharon Yee
Daily Bruin Contributor
College students’ attitudes and actions seem to be contradicting
themselves, according to a UCLA survey.
Students are increasingly becoming detached from academics,
politics and their own personal health, but they are involved in
more volunteerism.
According to the 32nd annual report titled "The American
Freshmen: National Norms for Fall 1997," the survey is
representative of the attitudes of over 1.6 million college
students across the nation.
A record 39.4 percent of entering freshmen aspire to earn
master’s degrees, and 15.3 percent want to pursue doctorate
degrees, reported this year’s survey conducted by the Higher
Education Research Institute (HERI) at the Graduate School of
Education (GSE&IS.)
Yet, they do not look forward to attending classes: a record
high 36 percent of the same students report being frequently bored
in class.
Another 34.5 percent report oversleeping or missing an
appointment, contrasted with 18.5 percent nearly 30 years ago.
"What we’ve concluded is that students are simply not as
interested in learning for learning’s sake as they are in earning a
degree," said Linda Sax, director of the survey, which was
sponsored by the American Council on Education and conducted at the
GSE&IS.
"Sadly enough, I think students are putting themselves through
college not because they want to learn, but simply to get a
degree," reflected Debra Wong, a first-year biology student.
The findings also reveal that students are not only disengaging
academically, but politically as well.
A record low 26.7 percent of today’s freshmen do not feel that
political affairs affect them, and even fewer students discuss
politics with others.
This political apathy has led few students to become politically
active, as an all-time low of 22.8 percent find it important to
"participate in a community action program."
"Students may be less politically active, but they aren’t any
more apathetic," said Stacey Lee, USAC undergraduate internal vice
president. "They aren’t exposed to enough information to be
apathetic."
Sax attributed students’ lack of political interest to the
numerous scandals and corruption constantly being reported in the
media.
"These trends are part of a larger pattern of disengagement of
the American people from political and civic life in general," said
Alexander W. Astin, founding director of the survey and current
director of HERI.
Despite the declining interest in politics and social activism,
freshmen indicate a record high 73.1 percent volunteer.
Less than 20 percent, though, believe there is a "very good
chance" that they will continue with their community service in
college.
Sax speculated that the reason for the sharp decline in
volunteerism is due to high school graduation requirements or
college applications.
In terms of political views, students seem to be increasingly
conservative, especially on issues such as abortion and
homosexuality.
Support for abortion decreased to 53.4 percent for the fifth
straight year, which is the lowest support for legal abortion since
1979.
Support for laws prohibiting homosexual relationships has also
increased (33.9 percent), even though almost half of the freshmen
surveyed agreed to allow same-sex marriages.
However, students remain issue-specific in terms of political
views, as their views have grown more liberal in support of
marijuana legalization.
The survey also reported a decrease in alcohol consumption, but
an all-time high in cigarette smoking, particularly in women.
"Apparently, recent tobacco industry admission of
smoking-related health risks have no immediate effect on deterring
students from smoking cigarettes, " Sax said.