Student pharmacists’ perceptions of access to student organization opportunities at colleges/schools of pharmacy with satellite campuses

Abstract

BackgroundAn increasing number of schools of pharmacy offer part or entire doctor of pharmacy programs at satellite campuses. Co-curricular offerings such as student organization and student government facilitate professional and personal development of a student pharmacist. Multi-campus schools strive to ensure that the professional experiences at main and satellite campuses are equivalent. ObjectivesTo compare perceptions of and satisfaction with access to student organization opportunities between students at main versus satellite campuses among four schools of pharmacy. MethodsUsing an 18-item online survey instrument, second- and third-year student pharmacists at main and satellite campuses rated their level of agreement and satisfaction regarding access to student organizations. ResultsOf 1013 total students, 314 completed the survey (31.0% response rate); 22.9% of respondents were on a satellite campus. Many respondents were members of a student organization (93.0% main campus and 92.2% satellite campus). There were similar responses between campuses for students who were interested but felt that they had no access to opportunities to be members. A higher proportion of the main campus students were satisfied with access to faculty advisors (93% versus 80%). ConclusionRegardless of campus site, student organizations were available to students, and lack of access was not perceived as a barrier to participation in student organizations. Access to faculty advisors for student organizations should be an area of focus for schools with satellite campuses.