It’s a sad truth, but students across all age levels have been given numerous reasons in recent years to feel a sense of discomfort at school.

Before COVID-19 swept across campuses and students pursuing higher education took part in classes remotely or quarantined in their dorms, school safety has been a persistent topic in the news, from bullying to school shootings.

But aside from actual safety issues, college students have a number of other issues that could determine whether their on-campus experience is a good one. Are the classes they’re taking valuable for the degree they are pursuing? Are there campus activities that engage them? Is the school they are attending the right fit?

During a board of trustees meeting at Butler County Community College this week, the results of the Ruffalo Nowel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory survey that evaluated students’ experience at the college were unveiled.

The good news is that the survey — consisting of 95 questions across 12 scales that evaluate student experience — came back with positive metrics. The categories involved in the survey included instructional effectiveness, the campus climate and campus safety.

The data from the survey showed improvement in all 12 categories. While college leaders were concerned whether data collection during COVID-19 possibly skewed it, they compared the metrics to the national average, and found that BC3 had higher results in every category.

Although meeting the needs of a diverse student body on a college campus is likely a challenging task, it sounds like BC3 is doing a good job of it. And we’re not the only ones who think so. “To move the needle on all 12 scales to the extent that Butler has done here — all focused around making students feel cared for and supported — requires alignment and leadership at all levels,” said Randall VanWagoner, president of Mohawk Valley Community College.

College students are expected to be mature since they, unlike students in high school and below, are often venturing out on their own for the first time away from their families. Even ones who remain at home during their college experience often have a new sense of freedom. This doesn’t mean, however, that they don’t need support or to feel safe or comfortable in their surroundings.

In fact, those away from family for the first time might find it challenging to not have people who are unconditionally supportive around them. So, it’s important that they feel safe and in a good climate at the school they’re attending.

It sounds like BC3 has been doing a good job of providing this atmosphere — and even improving upon previous years. Keep up the good work, BC3.

— NCD