Student Satisfaction: Importance of Civility and University Identification Predictors

Abstract

Uncivil behavior has recently been a topic of concern within university campuses. Administration, faculty, and students are all subject to engage or experience uncivil conduct. Academic civility is a fundamental variable to establish a positive university environment and teaching-learning outcomes. Objective: The present paper analyzes the concept of civility and incivility within an academic context, offers a dimension perspective of the problem, reviews contributing factors associated with incivility, explores preventative measures for incivility, investigates academic strategies that promote civility, and makes recommendations for intervention strategies. A study that examines relationships between civility, university identification and satisfaction with the university was conducted. Methods: undergraduate students (N=588) from a state university answered a survey that evaluated three variables: civility, university identification, and university satisfaction. Results: Civility was positively related to university identification (r = .11, p = .009) and satisfaction (r = .16, p < .001), and identification was related to greater satisfaction with the university (r = .75, p < .001). Conclusion: Greater levels of civility are correlated with university identification and satisfaction. In order to improve teaching-learning environments, academic institutions are encouraged to promote an environment that is conducive to civility, as well as establish civil behaviors as part of their instruction.