SDSU Student Affairs
Aztec Nights Evaluation Data
To: Dr. James Kitchen, Vice President for Student Affairs
From: Dr. Timothy Quinnan, Associate Vice President for Campus Life 
Via: Randy Timm, Director of Student Life & Leadership
Dr. Robyn Adams, Assistant Director of Student Life & Leadership
Date: November 30, 2011
Fall 2011 Aztec Nights Summary Evaluation
This memorandum and the following two tables serve as the evaluation of the Fall 2011 Aztec Nights program.
During 2008 and 2009 it was important to articulate program origins, aims, funding sources, and scope and to raise awareness of Aztec Nights throughout San Diego State University. As the program is now well-established, and the University is familiar with the initiative and aware of its beneficial effects on students new to campus, this evaluation will be in a summary format.
Table 1 offers comparative data across seven key variables for the period 2008-2011. These variables were utilized in previous annual assessments and continue to have value. They were chosen as indicators of a) success, and b) continuous quality improvement. Table 2 contrasts the roster of events between 2009 and 2011, along with attendance rates for each activity. While the number of Judicial Violations for 2011 compared to the previous year appears to have greatly increased, upon further investigation of the data, the month of September in 2010 had very few violations. Therefore, the data for 2011 appears to be much higher, but actually is more in line with the average from 2007 to 2009, and is about half of the number of total violations from the 2007 benchmark year.
Structured and casual conversations among program stakeholders in the aftermath of Aztec Nights, not documented here, also occurred. To summarize, they reiterated opinions from prior assessments. First, that Aztec Nights is delivering on its promise to offer freshmen and transfers a safe and alcohol-free introduction to student life. Second, Aztec Nights is becoming a recognized fall "tradition" that continuing students celebrate and promote to peers newly arrived. Third, Aztec Nights has emerged as a shining example of a University partnership that puts the developmental needs of new students above all other considerations.
A survey sent to all first time freshmen, all new transfers, and a sample of continuing sophomores, juniors and seniors yielded results from over 1,000 students. More than half of the students surveyed attended at least one Aztec Nights event, with the most popular events being the Campus Carnival, the Red & Black Welcome Back Dance and Templo Del Sol. Students strongly believe that Aztec Nights events provide them with an opportunity to meet new people and make friends and give them an overall sense of belonging at SDSU. When asked about being homesick, over 90% indicated that they like SDSU and are glad they selected SDSU as their university.
Table 1 - Fall Aztec Nights Comparative Data 2008-2011
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Events | N/A | 17 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| Total Number of Students Attending | N/A | 16,000 | 19,010 | 17,088 | 18,368 |
| Annual Total Budget Allocated | N/A | $400,000 | $350,000 | $315,000 | $325,000 |
| Total Budget Spent for Fall | N/A | $290,000 | $230,000 | $221,043 | $239,895 |
| Total Number of Judicial Violations | 277 (Aug) 686 (Sept) |
64 (Aug) 451 (Sept) |
82 (Aug) 452 (Sept) |
25 (Aug) 472 (Sept) |
146 (Aug)* 463 (Sept) |
| % Change in Number of Judicial Cases Involving Alcohol/Drugs (Compared to 2007 Benchmark Year) | N/A | -77% (Aug) -35% (Sept) |
-71% (Aug) -35% (Sept) |
-99% (Aug) -32% (Sept) |
-48% (Aug) -33% (Sept) |
| Number of Medical Transports (Compared to 2007 Benchmark Year) |
25 | 19 (-24%) | 19 (-24%) | 7 (-72%) | 13 (-48%) |
* While the number of Judicial Violations for 2011 compared to the previous year appears to have greatly increased, upon further investigation of the data, the month of August in 2010 had very few violations. Therefore, the data for 2011 appears to be much higher, but actually is more in line with the average from 2007 to 2009, and is about half of the number of total violations from the 2007 benchmark year.
Table 2 - 2011 Aztec Nights Status Report
| Date | 2009 Event | Estimated Attendance | 2010 Event | Estimated Attendance | 2011 Event | Estimated Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
||||||
| Day 1 | Templo Del Sol | 2,800 | Templo Del Sol | 1,500 | Templo Del Sol | 2,500 |
| Day 2 | Red & Black Dance | 4,000 | Red & Black Dance | 3,500 | Red & Black Dance | 3,500 |
| Day 3 | Screen on the Green | 1,000 | Screen on the Green | 1,000 | Screen on the Green | 1,200 |
| Week 2 (Labor Day Weekend) | ||||||
| Day 1 | Campus Carnival | 3,000 | Campus Carnival | 3,500 | Campus Carnival | 4,000 |
| Day 2 | The Race is On | 1,500 | No Event | 0 | Comedy Explosion | 1,268 |
| Day 3 | Break the World Record Night (Dodgeball Tournament) |
450 | Comedy Explosion | 538 | Block Party | 1200 |
| Day 4 | SDSU's Got Game | 285 | No Event | 0 | ||
| Week 3 | ||||||
| Day 1 | Comedy Explosion | 500 | Monte Carlo Night | 1,500 | Late Night Recess | 800 |
| Day 2 | Las Vegas Block Party | 1,200 | Break A World Record | 450 | Monte Carlo Night | 1,500 |
| Day 3 | No Event | 0 | One Love-Reggae Fest | 1,000 | ||
| Week 4 | ||||||
| Day 1 | No Event | 0 | No Event | 0 | Battle of the Bands | 400 |
| Day 2 | Aztec PhonomeTHON | 562 | Campus Movie Night | 800 | ||
| Day 3 | No Event | 0 | No Event | 0 | ||
| Week 5 | ||||||
| Day 1 | No Event | 0 | No Event | 0 | Concert: "Slightly Stoopid" |
2,000 |
| Day 2 | Hilarious Hypnosis & Late Night Bowling |
388 | Concert: "Gym Class Heroes" |
3,300 | ||
| Week 6 | ||||||
| Day 1 | Concert: "Pepper" | 3,325 | No Event | 0 | ||
| Total Number of Events for 2009: |
11 | Total Number of Events for 2010: |
10 | Total Number of Events for 2011: |
10 | |
| Total Estimated Attendance for 2009: |
19,010 | Total Estimated Attendance for 2010: |
17,088 | Total Estimated Attendance for 2011: |
18,368 | |
