COVID-19 mitigation behavior survey results
As part of K-State’s Every Wildcat a Wellcat initiative, the Office of the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students surveyed students in early August 2020 to assess their likelihood to engage in COVID-19 disease mitigation behaviors. 1,366 voluntary survey responses were received and recorded.
Executive summary
- Students responding to the survey reported they planned to comply with requirements for wearing face coverings and social distancing.
- Students also indicated they would participate in COVID-19 testing.
- However, students responses also suggested what many institutions around the country have found: Student behavior off campus is less aligned with practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Resulting actions to be taken
K-State plans to increase its focus on creatively and consistently educating students about the risks involved with certain off-campus behavioral choices in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Survey data
Demographics
Data summary
- Campus representation
- Of the 1,366 total survey participants, 98% of respondents were from the Manhattan campus, while the remaining 2% represented the Global, Olathe and Polytechnic campuses.
- Housing status
- 68% of respondents reported living off campus, with 32% reporting living on campus.
- Undergraduate/graduate student representation
- 88% of respondents were undergraduate students; 12% graduate students.
Key question #1: How likely are you to engage in the following behaviors within the residence halls?
Data summary
- Likelihood of wearing a mask in the common areas:
- 54.57% definitely will | 31.86% possibly will | 10.73% probably will not | 2.84% definitely will not
- Likelihood of wearing a mask outside my room while inside my residence hall:
- 46.69% definitely will | 35.33% possibly will | 13.88% probably will not | 4.1% definitely will not
- Likelihood of wearing a mask in the dining centers:
- 58.68% definitely will | 28.08% possibly will | 9.46% probably will not | 3.79% definitely will not
- Likelihood of physically distancing from others in shared community spaces:
- 48.42% definitely will | 38.29% possibly will | 11.71% probably will not | 1.58% definitely will not
- Likelihood of spending time with other residents in large groups:
- 10.13% definitely will | 31.33% possibly will | 39.24% probably will not | 19.3% definitely will not
Key question #2: How would you prefer to interact with K-State offices (i.e. advising, student life, registrar, financial aid, etc.)?
Data summary
In descending order:
- Mix of in-person and remote: 42.64%
- In-person by appointment: 23.39%
- Remote advising and support: 20.79%
- In-person with walk-in hours: 13.19%
Key question #3: Please share how likely you will be to engage in the following behaviors:
Wear face coverings
Data summary
- In public spaces:
- 70.06% definitely will | 20.82% possibly will | 6.27% probably will not | 2.85% definitely will not
- In the classroom:
- 78.2% definitely will | 16.3% probably will | 3.13% probably will not | 2.37% definitely will not
Maintain 6 feet of physical distancing
Data summary
- In public spaces:
- 48.95% definitely will | 38.86% possibly will | 9.9% probably will not | 2.29% definitely will not
- In the classroom:
- 47.39% definitely will | 41.22% probably will | 8.93% probably will not | 2.47% definitely will not
- To following traffic guidance:
- 50.38% definitely will | 37.07% possibly will | 9.41% probably will not | 3.14% definitely will not
Related to sanitation
Data summary
- Assist in cleaning personal desk space in classroom at end of class:
- 52.09% definitely will | 34.13% possibly will | 9.6% probably will not | 4.18% definitely will not
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer regularly:
- 84.9% definitely will | 12.35% possibly will | 1.71% probably will not | 1.04% definitely will not
- Have close contact with friends other than roommates:
- 22.43% definitely will | 36.22% possibly will | 24.33% probably will not | 17.02% definitely will not
- Share drinks with others:
- 4.28% definitely will | 10.75% possibly will | 22.84% probably will not | 62.13% definitely will not
Related to socializing
Data summary
- Go to apartment, fraternity or house parties:
- 13.78% definitely will | 23.67% possibly will | 28.23% probably will not | 34.32% definitely will not
- Go to bars:
- 11.61% definitely will | 17.79% possibly will | 25.12% probably will not | 45.48% definitely will not
- Reduce or avoid travel during the fall semester:
- 45.53% definitely will | 34.98% possibly will | 13.4% probably will not | 6.08% definitely will not
- Spend time with friends in smaller groups:
- 59.01% definitely will | 29.31% possibly will | 7.8% probably will not | 3.81% definitely will not
COVID-19 testing and processing
Data summary
- Participate in contact tracing as necessary:
- 54.37% definitely will | 29.94% possibly will | 10.08% probably will not | 5.61% definitely will not
- Participate in isolation and quarantine as necessary:
- 68.64% definitely will | 24.12% possibly will | 4.19% probably will not | 3.05% definitely will not
- Report experiencing COVID-like symptoms to Lafene or medical provider:
- 73.24% definitely will | 19.14% possibly will | 4.57% probably will not | 3.05% definitely will not
- Undergo COVID-19 testing as may be necessary:
- 59.54% definitely will | 27.73% possibly will | 8.17% probably will not | 4.65% definitely will not
Key question #4: I am concerned about the impact of COVID-19:
Data summary
- On myself: 34.04% strongly agree | 29.79% agree | 13.83% undecided | 14.99% disagree | 7.35% strongly disagree
- On family members: 56.01% strongly agree | 29.07% agree | 5.91% undecided | 5.81% disagree | 3.2% strongly disagree
- On my friends: 42.4% strongly agree | 35.62% agree | 10.65% undecided | 7.28% disagree | 4.07% strongly disagree
- On the K-State campus and surrounding community: 50.19% strongly agree | 34.85% agree | 8.25% undecided | 3.79% disagree | 2.91% strongly disagree
- Spread: 47.91% strongly agree | 27.35% agree | 12.03% undecided | 8.83% disagree | 3.88 strongly disagree