In a survey conducted in the spring of 2009 that queried more than 4,000 students, respondents voted Eckles Library, the GWorld program, Colonial Central, Disability Support Services, and the Lerner Health and Wellness Center as the five best University services.

The study, titled the Service Excellence Survey, also showed that perception of the University’s mail and package services had improved, said Cheryl Beil, assistant vice president for academic planning and institutional research.

“About three or four years ago, the GW Mail and Package Service was making headlines in The Hatchet for long lines, unhelpful staff and poor service,” Beil said. “The ratings show that the office has really worked to improve its services.”

Survey results also emphasized areas that need improvement. Students ranked the variety of food choices at J Street and on the Mount Vernon campus as needing the most improvement.

The results showed that more than three-quarters of the students surveyed have eaten at J Street in the past year. Of these students, more than half called the variety and quality of the food being served as below their expectations.

About half of the students who responded to the survey rated the quality of food and variety of food choices at Mount Vernon as below their expectations.

The entire questionnaire had 320 questions, but the actual survey sent to students was much shorter. Questions about programs and services for specific audiences were sent only to students they serve. For example, only international students were asked to complete questions about international services, and school-specific advising questions were directed to the appropriate students.

One hundred prizes ranging from gift cards to Starbucks to iPods and free travel were offered as incentives for completing the survey.

In an attempt to generate ideas for correcting listed problems, students who rated a service as below their expectations were asked a follow-up question: “How would you improve this service?”

“This question is critical for providing useful information to departments about students’ concerns and what they are looking for in terms of service. All comments were shared with the departments,” Beil said.

Another survey will be conducted this year, and it will focus on services used by faculty and staff.