NDU Term Paper | Technical English For Business Communication Report by Naja Faysal

1. INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONERS
AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
Prepared for
Zeina Hojeij
ENL 230/D Instructor
Notre Dame University
Prepared by
Marina E.Checri, Naja M.Faysal
ENL 230/D Students
Notre Dame University
August 4, 2004

2. MEMO TO: Zeina Hojeij, ENL 230/D Instructor
FROM: Marina E.Checri, Naja M.Faysal, ENL 230/D Students
DATE: August 4, 2004
SUBJECT: Installation of Air Conditioners at Notre Dame University.
Here is the report about the installation of Air Conditioners in Notre Dame
University classrooms that you requested on July 28, 2004.
The report shows that late spring and summer session students feel more at
ease when studying in cool temperature classrooms. At the end of the report, we
made several recommendations regarding the possibilities of using Air
Conditioners as air heaters during fall and early spring semesters.
We enjoyed working on this assignment, Miss Hojeij, and learned quite a bit from
our analysis of the situation that will help us understand students’ motivation and
commitment to attend courses. Please let us know if we can provide further
information.
Attachment
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................…...1

3. Purpose and Scope of the Study……………………………………………………...1
Procedures……………………………………………………………………....2
FINDINGS..............................................................................................................3
Table 1.Air conditioners benefits………………………………………………3
Figure 1.Evaluation of surveyors………………………………………………4
Figure 2.Actual commitment to university…………………………………….5
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………6
APPENDIX
Questionnaire…………………………………………………………………....7
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………...9

4. EVALUATION OF THE INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONNERS IN
CLASS ROOMS AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
Marina E. Checri
Naja M.Faysal
INTRODUCTION
Air conditioners are tools that boost physical well-being by freshening the atmosphere (or
environment). According to the survey we conducted on August 2, 2004, qualitative
benefits, derived from their use, are multiple. However they are diverse, they have been
found to all aim at one purpose: a higher quality of education. Thus, installing these
machines would not just increase the university’s number of assets, but would also
increase students’ and teachers’ motivation to make class hours valuable time.
Notre Dame University- Louaize campus encloses hundred of class rooms. Given its
moderate altitude’s location, its prominent position, and since it faces coming winds,
climate temperatures tend to be “extreme” 1 throughout the year. As a result, students
and teachers complain from the lack of commodities that could balance the environment
heat or cold, and request better equipment to eliminate, or at least make acceptable these
last two factors, rendering thus more even the gaps between temperatures.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
To help ensure that students and teachers are motivated to come to class, Zeina Hojeij,
ENL 230/D teacher, authorized this report on July 28, 2004. Specifically, the following
problem was addressed: What are the advantages of installing Air Conditioners at Notre
Dame University regarding students’ commitment to attend classes? To answer this
question, the following subproblems were addressed:
1. How critical is a pleasant environment on students’ and teachers’ motivation?
2. How would the amelioration of classrooms’ temperature affect concentration?
3. Why students and teachers require the installation of Air Conditioners?
1
This study explored the attitudes of students at Notre Dame University. Although
motivation and concentration are known to be keys for a good educational level, no
attempt has been made to create factors to reach this goal. In addition, this study
attempted to determine students’ and teachers’ preferences only. The question of
whether the installation of air conditioners is economically feasible to Notre Dame
University is not within the scope of this study.
1
. At a level that causes body changes: sweat, shivering…

5. PROCEDURES
A list of 30 students who spent more than six hours per day at Notre Dame University,
were asked to fill the questionnaire on August 2nd, 2004. Using the sample opinion,
inferences were made about the 4000 students. On that same date, the sample elements
were asked to hand back the survey forms. A total of 28 students completed usable
questionnaires for a response rate of 93%.
In addition, the primary data provided by the survey was then analyzed and compared
with findings from secondary sources to determine the effect a pleasant environment
could have on motivation.

6. FINDINGS
For a university administration to gain its students constancy and commitment to get high-
level degrees, it must be aware of their needs and suggestions. Thus, the first section that
follows, discusses the students’ needs, as well as, the theoretical impact of environmental
conditions on students’ concentration and motivation.
STUDENTS MOTIVATION
Several studies 2 have shown that group members’ motivation is directly related with a
pleasant working environment. Since students can be compared to workers, and
classrooms to a work environment, theories and explanations can apply as easily to the
former as to the latter. Thus, an indication of the students’ level of satisfaction with their
studying area, and suggestions for improving studying conditions were solicited.
Students’ needs. Few initiatives from the university administration have been
taken so far to have feedback from students. Whether it was about their needs, opinions
or suggestions, a bulky “We-know-what-we-are-doing” attitude have sometimes been
predominant and have discouraged students to talk about their resentment. With no
intend to put someone at fault; the following statements are just propositions to
modernize, reorganize and ameliorate Notre Dame University classrooms.
Since all students have a tendency to miss classes, given that young years always
require movements, it is almost normal that students prefer staying out of classrooms.
What is needed to appeal them back was one of our research topics. As shown in Table
1, most students who complained from uncomfortable studying rooms, agreed that
making classrooms temperatures more agreeable could bring them back to class, and
whether consciously or not, could motivate them to attend lectures.
Students were asked to rate their beliefs that air conditioners could affect positively their
motivation and commitment to classes. The output is shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1.AIR CONDITIONERS BENEFITS
Installation of ACs Strength of beliefs
benefits Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Indifferent Total
More attendances 64% 16% 12% _ 8% 100%
Teachers better mood 67% 25% 4% _ 4% 100%
Attraction of potential students 61% 32% 4% _ 3% 100%
Students commitment 50% 46% 3% _ _ 100%
2
Chap.7 Motivation; Organizational Behavior book, Prentice Hall, International 10th/ edition.

7. 80% of students believe that they would be more motivated to attend classes if
classrooms temperatures were to be more moderate. They agree that physical well being
boosts energy and concentration.
FIGURE 1.EVALUATION OF SURVEYORS
64% of students stated that installing air conditioners in classrooms would encourage
them to attend more classes. They agreed that it would boost energy and concentration.
However, these figures are numerically significant; let’s see if they still are in reality. To
solve this problem, some assessment should be made about surveyors. Who did answer
the questionnaire? Is the installation of air conditioners a simple caprice? Or is it
everyone, i.e. students whether permanently exposed to air coolers or those deprived
from these commodities, that required the classrooms to be equipped in that fashion?
Do habits influence points of view?
All day All day
6 to 12 6 to 12
Students habits
1 to 6 1 to 6
Not one Not one
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Daily hours of exposure
As Figure 1 shows, students who answered the survey have different habits. So, it can be
assumed that they judged the installation of air conditioners, independently of their
lifestyle.
FIGURE 2.ACTUAL COMMITMENT TO UNIVERSITY
50% of students believe that their commitment to Notre Dame University would
increase (cf. Table 1.) if they were to feel that the administration was taking into
consideration their requests. Furthermore, we can assess that this improvement
in loyalty is greatly needed nowadays, since 14% of the students answered “Not
at all” and 7% said to be indifferent, when asked whether they felt or not
committed to their university.

8. Commitment towards university
Indifferent
7% Strongly
Not at all 21%
14%
Strongly
Fairly
Not at all
Indifferent
Fairly
58%

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
These findings show that students at Notre Dame University are aware of the
benefits of a more pleasant environment. However, a majority prefers not to
make its complaints official, fearing that increasing the costs the university incurs,
would lead to an increase in tuition fees.
The following recommendations are based on these conclusions:
1. Install heating and cooling equipment in classrooms.
2. Provide healthy environmental conditions.
3. Reevaluate techniques to collect students’ feedback.
These recommendations and the findings of the study should help the
university ensure that students are motivated to attend classes and that it has
a high quality image.

10. INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONERS IN NDU CLASS ROOMS
This survey is being conducted as part of a class research project. Please
complete this questionnaire only if (a) you are an NDU student and (b) you have
declared a major.
1. Grade level
‫ ם‬Sophomore
‫ ם‬Junior
‫ ם‬Senior
2. Please specify your major: _____________________
3. Gender
‫ ם‬Female
‫ ם‬Male
4. Age
‫ 02 ם‬or younger
‫42-12 ם‬
‫ 52 ם‬or older
5. Please indicate your GPA range:
‫ ם‬Less than 2
‫5.2 – 2 ם‬
‫3 – 5.2 ם‬
‫ ם‬More than 3
6. How committed do you feel towards the university?
‫ ם‬Strongly
‫ ם‬Fairly
‫ ם‬Not at all
‫ ם‬Indifferent
7. How many hours do you spend exposed to Air Conditioners (per day)?
‫ ם‬Not one
‫6-1 ם‬
‫21-6 ם‬
‫ ם‬All day
If “not one”, please specify the reason: ______________________________
8. Where are you, usually, exposed to Air Conditioners?
‫ ם‬House
‫ ם‬Car
‫ ם‬Office
‫ ם‬Nowhere

11. 9. Do you think fans and occasional breeze are sufficient for a good studying
area?
‫ ם‬Yes ‫ ם‬No
10. Does the temperature of the classroom affect your level of concentration?
‫ ם‬Yes ‫ ם‬No
11. Do you think that the summer temperature in NDU classrooms is
acceptable?
‫ ם‬Yes ‫ ם‬No
Please rank the following assumptions:
Installing Air Conditioners would lead…:
12. …students to prefer sitting in cool temperature class rooms rather than
sitting in hot weather places (like the cafeteria, for example…).
‫ ם‬Strongly agree
‫ ם‬Agree
‫ ם‬Disagree
‫ ם‬Strongly disagree
‫ ם‬Indifferent
13. …instructors to be in a better mood, and therefore provide higher quality
teaching?
‫ ם‬Strongly agree
‫ ם‬Agree
‫ ם‬Disagree
‫ ם‬Strongly disagree
‫ ם‬Indifferent
14. …to an external higher quality image of NDU and consequently to attract
potential students.
‫ ם‬Strongly agree
‫ ם‬Agree
‫ ם‬Disagree
‫ ם‬Strongly disagree
‫ ם‬Indifferent
15…. to an internal, higher students’ satisfaction, and therefore commitment
and better cooperation with the administration.
‫ ם‬Strongly agree
‫ ם‬Agree
‫ ם‬Disagree
‫ ם‬Strongly disagree
‫ ם‬Indifferent
Thanks for your help

12. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Organizational Behavior, Prentice Hall, International/ 10thedition.
Fundamentals of Management, Prentice Hall/ 4th edition