Survey finds vast majority of Waco residents rate Baylor favorably

As a student at Baylor, there were often questions about the relationship between the university community and the rest of Waco; anecdotal evidence seemed to indicate that local residents sometimes didn’t care much for the college crowd. But a new survey puts those doubts to rest, finding that a whopping 89% of Waco residents rate Baylor favorably!

Some of the other numbers that jumped out to me… 95% think a world-class university is important to the community. 94% say university research that improves the local community is important, and 92% valued the opportunity to attend world-class music and cultural events and major collegiate athletic events.

84% valued Baylor’s role in providing arts and cultural opportunities for citizens. 83% found Baylor to be a provider of educational opportunities for top students from the area. 82% found value in the community pride created by Baylor’s athletic success.

As both a Baylor graduate and a Waco resident, I’m always glad to see the University and the City of Waco working to improve relations with one another, and this survey (which is slated to be repeated every two years going forward) should be able to track that progress.

Sic ’em, Baylor-Waco collaborators!