June 1-June 4, 2011

English

This research tested the effects of celebrity endorsements on the intention to purchase of young adults ages 18-35. The study utilized Ohanian’s multi-dimensional scale to examine three prominent attributes of celebrity endorsers: attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise. It was hypothesized that attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise would affect the intent to purchase of the young adults surveyed. Data was collected from a nonrandom convenience sample of 110 individuals from five undergraduate classes at a university in central Texas. Findings indicated attractiveness and expertise to be influential, while trustworthiness was not. The implications for this model lay on advertiser dollars for celebrity advertisements aimed at the college-aged population. 

A recent research survey relayed by a Texas State University Research Methods Class, over the turbulent issue of concealed hand guns on campus, has resulted in what seems to be the majority view of Texas State University community. Data was obtained from surveys disbursed throughout campus- related venues and events, in an effort to demonstrate the overall opinion of the student body on this topic. The demographics (race, age, marital status, etc.) of the participants surveyed correlate and parallel that of the actual campus.

With the intent to analyze overall student satisfaction with campus provided food, meal plans, and overall dining services, this study serves to voice the opinion of students and be utilized in the decision of staying with Chartwell’s as Texas State’s food and food service provider. The investigation immediately demonstrates majority dissatisfaction with current dining methods, and a desire for change. In the areas of food quality, meal plan methods, and food options, the majority of participants voiced dissatisfaction. 

“Ridership among Texas State students is high, but lacking in overall student satisfaction,” according to recent research by a research methods class in the School of Journalism and Mass communication, under supervision of Dr. Sindy Chapa. The majority demographic of riders are white females between the ages of 17 and 22, classified as a junior, with an income of less than $10,000. Investigation concludes the main weaknesses being that: current bus loops are too crowded since there are not enough loops or buses targeting key locations, for students commuting from Austin and San Antonio it can be expensive, and the wait at night for these same students can be too long. These issues need to be resolved in order for Texas State to decrease bus congestion and more importantly reduce exceeding demands for parking spaces. Overall 37% of riders where dissatisfied with the current transportation system. The Tram system is however adding four buses to its system to aid in these issues. Measures like adding more buses, creating more routes, and making route information more easily available and evident, are necessary to satisfy Texas State’s desire to decrease student driving to campus and increase commuting in order to benefit the campus as a whole. It seems thought that these issues instead discourage students to utilize the tram system, and instead drive.