Event Title
Exploring Perceptions of Pandemic Preparedness Among University Stakeholders
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Since the first cases of COVID-19 were contracted in the United States, Grand Valley State University has instituted a task force of experts to oversee the university’s response to the virus, and has also utilized remote course delivery, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masking and quarantine, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and other methods to mitigate the pandemic’s effects. This study explored the perceptions, knowledge, and opinions of the emergency response to COVID-19 among a sample of key university stakeholders at GVSU. SUBJECTS: The population for this study included students, faculty/staff, and administrators at Grand Valley State University. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Stratified sampling was used to obtain a representative mix of students, faculty/staff, and administrators. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey administered via Qualtrics. A total of 653 participants completed the survey. ANALYSES: SPSS was utilized to conduct bivariate analyses of quantitative data while MAXQDA was utilized to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: 74.6% of survey respondents identified as students while 25.4% identified as faculty or staff. Initial analysis suggests that both students and faculty reported an improvement in preparedness for remote operations. While numerous barriers to preparedness and specific challenges were noted, respondents also reported increased focus on health and relationships, improved organizational skills, and healthier work-life balance as a result of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: While the university response to COVID-19 was effective and comprehensive, soliciting feedback from students, faculty, and staff at regular intervals could provide opportunity to ease tensions and build trust across the GVSU community and at other institutions of similar makeup.
Exploring Perceptions of Pandemic Preparedness Among University Stakeholders
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Since the first cases of COVID-19 were contracted in the United States, Grand Valley State University has instituted a task force of experts to oversee the university’s response to the virus, and has also utilized remote course delivery, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masking and quarantine, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and other methods to mitigate the pandemic’s effects. This study explored the perceptions, knowledge, and opinions of the emergency response to COVID-19 among a sample of key university stakeholders at GVSU. SUBJECTS: The population for this study included students, faculty/staff, and administrators at Grand Valley State University. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Stratified sampling was used to obtain a representative mix of students, faculty/staff, and administrators. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey administered via Qualtrics. A total of 653 participants completed the survey. ANALYSES: SPSS was utilized to conduct bivariate analyses of quantitative data while MAXQDA was utilized to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: 74.6% of survey respondents identified as students while 25.4% identified as faculty or staff. Initial analysis suggests that both students and faculty reported an improvement in preparedness for remote operations. While numerous barriers to preparedness and specific challenges were noted, respondents also reported increased focus on health and relationships, improved organizational skills, and healthier work-life balance as a result of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: While the university response to COVID-19 was effective and comprehensive, soliciting feedback from students, faculty, and staff at regular intervals could provide opportunity to ease tensions and build trust across the GVSU community and at other institutions of similar makeup.