Mobility of MSUM Students
It is not possible with an electronic on-line survey to ensure equal participation from all students. However, there was proportionate representation from all undergraduate and graduate class levels (Table 1). The senior class had the highest representation while the sophomore and graduate student classes had the lowest representation.
Table 6.1 Survey Response Distribution Compared to Actual class Distribution
| Classification | Acutal Class Distribution (Fall 00') | Class Number | Response from Class | Survey Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshmen | 19.88% | 1475 | 19.33% | 92 |
| Sophomores | 18.05% | 1339 | 18.07% | 86 |
| Juniors | 17.83% | 1323 | 25.21% | 120 |
| Seniors | 28.55% | 2118 | 33.19% | 158 |
| Graduate | 3.07% | 228 | 3.57% | 17 |
| Non-degree | 12.60% | 935 | 0.63% | 3 |
| Total | 100.00% | 7418 | 100.00% | 476 |
Student employment status has a vital impact on student responses regarding public transportation. Nearly 22 percent of the student respondents indicated they were unemployed (Figure 6.1). Almost 60 percent of the students who do work, work off-campus. Transit preferences are evident in the differing behaviors among employed and unemployed students.
Figure 6.1 Student Work Status (n=476)
Whether students live on or off campus was also evaluated. Nearly three-fourths of students surveyed indicated they live off campus. A good distribution was received across these categories as both the class and students living on and off campus distributions were within 7 percentage points. We were unable to get off-campus employment numbers for that comparison.
Movement Demands of Campus Students
This section will show movement patterns of MSUM students, to, from, and around campus. This information is helpful in determining what services can be offered that will fit into the normal travel activity of the student body.
Students live at various distances from campus (Figure 6.2). Less than 30 percent of students live within one mile of campus, and almost one-third of MSUM respondents live five miles or further from campus. This shows a diverse student body location wise, demanding different transportation modes at various times. With nearly 60 percent of students living more than two miles from campus, public transportation can play a prominent role in transporting students from their residence to campus.
Figure 6.2 Distance Students Live from Campus (n=476)
More than 90 percent of respondents indicated they travel to campus from home (Figure 6.3). Less than 8 percent travel to school from work and the remaining 2 percent travel to campus from other various locations. This shows that most MSUM students follow a traditional college schedule with classes in the morning and early afternoon and work in the evening as almost 60 percent of respondents indicated they work off-campus, but very few come from work to school.
Figure 6.3 Students Depart From to Arrive on Campus (n=354)
The majority of student respondents indicated they are on campus between 8 a.m. and 4 pm, following the normal semester class schedule (Figure 6.4). Between 10 a.m. and noon represents the highest concentration of students on campus. Sixty percent of respondents indicated they are on campus between 10 a.m. and noon.
Figure 6.4 Times When Students are on Campus (n=354)
More than 94 percent of respondents indicated they have access to motor vehicles. MSUM is well above the national average according to Independent Insurance Agents of America and College Parents of America who have indicated that nearly 70 percent of college students have either their own or use of their parents' car at school.
The majority of student respondents travel to campus once (two one-way trips) a day (Figure 6.5). Many students also travel to campus twice a day (four one-way trips). The distance that many students live from campus does not allow them to make frequent trips on average.
Figure 6.5 Number of One-Way Trips (n=354)
Convenience, time, and parking availability are the three top influences on student modes of travel (Figure 6.6). Convenience as an influence on travel mode received the highest rating as 68.91 percent of respondents consider convenience very important when choosing their mode of transportation. Fifty five percent of respondents indicated that time and parking availability were very important in choosing their mode of transportation. To make public transportation a viable option at MSUM, all influences on student modes of travel must be taken into consideration.
Figure 6.6 What Influences Mode of Travel (n=476)
Students who live on-campus were asked why they most often leave campus. To get to and from campus, going to another campus, and shopping were the main reasons students indicated they leave campus (Figure 6.7).
Figure 6.7 Why On-Campus Students Leave Campus (n=476)
The majority of student respondents either walk or drive to campus (Figure 6.8). Less than 7 percent of students carpool and roughly 5 percent ride bicycle. Students previously indicated that convenience, time and parking availability were main factors in choosing their means of getting to and from campus. Therefore, a relationship exists between respondents who indicated walking, driving, and carpooling as transportation modes, all which provide convenience, short travel times, or a relief from parking congestion.
Figure 6.8 Student Mode of Travel to Campus (n=476)
If a student has a car, he/she can travel any time of the year regardless of the outdoor temperature. Results show that more than 17 percent of students choose their mode of travel because of weather (Figure 6.9).
Figure 6.9 Weather Influence Mode of Travel in Winter (n=476)
Students were asked how far is too far to walk to campus in differing temperatures. Weather had a large influence on walking distance (Figure 6.10).
Figure 6.10 Reasonalbe Walking Distance by Temperature (n=476)