Queen's University Athletics

Background:
During the AMS Winter Referendum in January, Athletics & Recreation asked students two plebiscite questions regarding programs and services. Students were also asked to complete a survey to indicate which programs and services they valued, and whether they would support a fee increase to maintain these programs and services.

Results from the plebiscite and survey indicated that students strongly value A&R programs and service and that they support increasing the fee to maintain these programs and services:

1. Do you believe that the programs and services offered by Athletics & Recreation are an important part of the overall Queen’s experience? 
   
   Yes: 89% No: 9% 
   
2. In order to sustain and augment existing Athletics & Recreation programs and services, would you support a fee increase that would be phased in over 4 years? 
   
   Yes: 72% No: 26%

Following the AMS Winter Referendum, we presented these results, along with the proposed fee to maintain programs and services, to a number of student groups (AMS Assembly, ASUS, EngSoc, CommSoc, PHESKA) and student leaders for discussion and feedback.

At that time, we indicated that we would be surveying students to determine whether they would support a proposed 4 year phased-in fee increase (Yr 1 $35, Yr 2 $40, Yr 3 $45, Yr 4+ COL).

Survey Summary
On February 25/26 the student survey was conducted on campus to determine whether students would support the fee increase. An independent Student Voice survey was developed and implemented by the Assessment Coordinator of Student Affairs, using 15 Research Assistants to conduct the surveys.

Surveys were conducted in the following locations over February 25 – 26: 

• John Deutsch University Centre
• Ban Righ Dining Hall 
• Mackintosh-Corry Hall 
• Biosciences Complex
• Beamish-Munro Hall 
• Stauffer Library 
• Physical Education Centre 
• Goodes Hall 
• Victoria Hall

The Research Assistants conducted 878 surveys over 56 hours (see attached results).

Survey Results:
The survey results (on the following page) demonstrate clear support for the fee increase. Based on this information and the results of the Winter Referendum, we would respectfully ask the AMS Assembly to consider and approve our question for voting at the AMS AGM on March 16, 2009. 

February 25/26 Student Survey Results