Tennesseans' Opinions Toward Higher Education and the University of Tennessee. 1974 Statewide Opinion Survey. Preliminary Report Number 1.

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Attitudes; Educational Finance; Extramural Athletics; Higher Education; Public Opinion; Questionnaires; Research; Rural Extension; State Colleges; State Surveys; State Universities; Tables (Data); Values; Vocational Education

The opinions of 533 Tennesseans were gathered in a survey conducted in late 1974. It was found that Tennesseans have somewhat more confidence in higher education than do Americans generally, with 43.7 percent saying they have great confidence, 46.5 percent saying they have some confidence, and 4.5 percent saying they have no confidence. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville received a "great confidence" response of 42.6 percent, colleges and universities in the state received 37 percent, and the UT system of five campuses received 33.6 percent. Most Tennesseans believe strongly in the value of education, and almost two-thirds want a college education for their own children. State funding for education receives a high priority compared to funding for other services; vocational training gets highest priority in the general category of education. When extra money is needed to pay for state-supported colleges and universities, 41 percent think the money should come from state taxes, 19 percent from student fees, and 27 percent from both. About three-fourths of Tennesseans say someone in their immediate family has had direct contact with the UT system; among those, experiences have been satisfactory to 92 percent and unsatisfactory to only 3 percent, Qualities of UT units in Knoxville rated highest are intercollegiate sports teams, Agricultural Extension Service, and research. Response tables and the questionnaire are included. (Editor/MSE)

1977

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