The 2003 Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac issue contains the findings of their annual poll of incoming freshmen from the previous school year.  This year, the Chronicle of Higher Education published their poll of 282,549 incoming freshmen at 437 four-year colleges and universities in the Fall 2002 semester.  Here are a few tidbits of information:

Activities in Past Year:

• Voted in a student election: 22.3%
• Performed Volunteer work: 82.6%
• Bored in class: 40.3%
• Socialized with someone from another racial/ethnic group: 69.9%
• Visited a gallery or museum:  58.1%

Agree Strongly or Somewhat that:

• Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America:  21.8% (almost 80% feel it is still a major problem!)
• College should prohibit racist or sexist speech on campus: 60%
• It is important to have laws prohibiting homosexual relationships: 24.8%

Objectives considered to be essential or very important (the TOP TEN):

1. Raising a family (73.6%)
2. Being very well off financially (73.2%)
3. Helping others who are in difficulty (63.2%)
4. Becoming an authority in my field (60.2%)
5. Obtaining recognition from colleagues for contributions to my special field (56.2%)
6. Improving my understanding of other countries and cultures (43.2%)
7. Integrating spirituality into my life (41.5%)
8. Developing a meaningful philosophy of life (40.6%)
9. Becoming successful in a business of my own (39.5%)
10. Influencing social values (38.8%)

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