Terms of Use

All graphics, content, data and layout on this site are (C) Copyright 2009 by Marist College and the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, or Marist College and The Marist Institute for Public Opinion has been granted the use of copyrighted material from a third party.  All rights are reserved.  Still images are not to be reproduced or used unless prior written permission has been issued by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.  Permission to reproduce, redistribute and/or refer to our copyrighted property is granted on the condition that all such use gives proper attribution to the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  No email address, phone/fax numbers or mailing addresses listed on this site may be used for unsolicited bulk marketing purposes.

State Polls

The polling community is one that crisscrosses the country.  If there are any additional polls you’ve heard of, please, let us know!

Elon University
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/elonpoll/
The Field Poll
http://www.field.com/fieldpoll/
Market Shares
http://marketsharescorp.com/
Monmouth University
http://www.monmouth.edu/polling/
Public Mind
http://publicmind.fdu.edu/index.html
Public Policy Polling
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pppmain.asp?@spdT=B6B42829136845A69B19
Quinnipiac University Poll
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml
Suffolk University Poll
http://www.suffolk.edu/research/1450.html
Siena College Poll
http://www.siena.edu/level2bcol.aspx?menu_id=562&id=15577&linkidentifier=id&itemid=15577

MIPO’s Shining Stars

Throughout the 30 years of the Marist Poll, countless students have connected with us. From all majors, these undergraduates have developed their knowledge of surveys while sharing with us their professionalism, talent, and energy.  In so doing, these all stars have established a reputation par-excellence for the Marist Poll. Here is grab bag of photos of these students over time.

Debt Consolidation

2009 ushered in an increase in consumer debt after three consecutive months of decline in the fourth quarter of last year.  But, for many families struggling with job loss, declining wages or housing values, there is a need to find options to relieve the pressures of mounting debt.

In a Marist Poll conducted in March 2009, 21% of Americans report they have looked into consolidating or refinancing their debt or outstanding loans.  Interestingly, nearly three in ten households with a family income of $100,000 or more have explored this avenue for cutting costs.  This includes 28% of men under the age of 45 and approximately one-quarter of families with children. About one in seven (15%) Americans have tried to negotiate with their credit card company to lower their monthly interest rates or finance charges.  Americans with a family income of less than $50,000 a year are more likely than their higher earning counterparts to make an attempt to lower their credit card costs in this way.  This personal finance tactic knows few age bounds although Americans 60 years of age or older are less likely to do so.

Looked Into Refinancing Debt Table

Negotiated with Credit Company Table

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Links:

http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/hist/cc_hist_sa.html

http://www.bls.gov/

http://geofred.stlouisfed.org/ http://www.nfcc.org/

The Marist Poll’s Barbara Carvalho explains how to simplify debt while cutting costs:

Feasting for Less

These tough economic times require cost-conscious measures, but when it comes to the dinner table, a majority of Americans try not to end up being penny-wise and pound foolish.  In a March 2009 Marist Poll, 54% of Americans tell us they look for healthy alternatives in their everyday dinner recipes.  26% say their top recipe priority is its affordability, followed by 13% who want it to be fast, and 7% who need it to be kid-friendly.

However, money does matter.  Households with a family income of less than $50,000 divide: 45% look for a recipe that is healthy but 40% say their top priority is affordability.  This compares with 60% of families with an income of $100,000 or more who weigh healthy options highest.

And, as we age, concern with cost and speed declines and the value of healthy choices in the recipes we choose increases.

Everyday Recipe Table

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Links:

Nutrition Data:  Know What You Eathttp://www.nutritiondata.com/

http://www.nutritiondata.com/topics/recipes

Dietary Guidelines for Americanshttp://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/

http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Healthy and affordable:  Recipeshttp://healthyrecipes.oregonstate.edu

Healthy and affordable:  Money saving tipshttp://healthyrecipes.oregonstate.edu/stretching-food-dollars

Healthy dinner ideas from the Food Networkhttp://www.foodnetwork.com/ellies-healthy-dinner-ideas/video/index.html

Pricey Pair?

Look up “blue jeans” on MerriamWebster.com, and the term is simply defined as, “Pants usually made of blue denim.”  Ah, if it were only that simple!

On average, Americans say they’ve spent, at most, $44.50 on a pair of jeans.  That’s according to the latest Marist Poll.  That number jumps when looking at younger Americans and those who make more money.  U.S. residents under the age of 45 say the most they’ve spent on a pair of jeans is $52.51, and Americans in households with an annual income of $50,000 or more say they’ve purchased jeans for $52.88.

Wear Jeans Table

Average Dollar Amount Spent on Jeans Table

Marist Poll Methodology

Privacy

This is the Privacy Policy of the website of www.maristpoll.marist.edu. This policy does not cover privacy for the use of Marist College owned equipment or other information resources. Use of Marist College equipment and other information resources are covered in the Information Security Policy, found at http://www.marist.edu/it/infosecurity/

Our postal address is:

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion
Marist College
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Marist College may be reached via email at web.services@marist.edu or by telephone at 845-575-3252.  Please, go to the contact page on this website to contact The Marist Poll.

Privacy Policy

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion and Marist College are committed to respecting your privacy as a customer. Our privacy policy is clear: We collect no information about you, other than information automatically collected and stored, when you visit our Web site unless you choose to provide that information to us.

Information Automatically Collected

When you browse through any Web site, certain information about you can be collected. We automatically collect and temporarily store the following information about your visit:
- the date and time of your visit;
- IP address;
- browser type, operating system and language;
- the pages you visited; and
- the address of the Web site from which you came.

We use this information for statistical purposes and to help us make our site more useful to visitors. Unless it is specifically stated otherwise, no additional information is collected about you.

Portions of the The Marist Poll Web site use Google Analytics, which uses cookies to collect anonymous traffic data. By using this web site, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above. You may review Google’s full privacy policy at: http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.

Personally Provided Information

The Marist Poll and Marist College does not require you provide personal information to visit our Web site; however, you may choose to provide us with personal information through an email message, form, survey, etc. This information is used only to fulfill the stated purpose of your communication and/or participation.

Disclosure

The Marist Poll does not disclose, give, sell or transfer any personal information about our online visitors to third parties except as required by law.

Endorsement Disclaimer

Our Web site has links to many other non-profit, educational, and governmental institutions, and in a few cases, private organizations. You are subject to that site’s Privacy Policy when you leave this site. Reference in this Web site to any specific service, company, or organization does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by The Marist Poll. The Marist Poll is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” Web page referenced from this server.

Changes to the policy

If our information practices change at some time in the future, we will post the policy changes to our website to notify you of these changes.

Sites We Like

Life today can be complicated.  Where can you turn to help you juggle work, family, and finances while trying to have a good time?  Check out these additional resources.

Travel
http://www.state.gov/travel/
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dynsrch/realdeals/realdeals.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29838768/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/03/26/four.travel.rules/

Health & Family
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ProtectTheOnesYouLove/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/marriage-counseling/MH00104
http://womenshealth.gov/topics.cfm
http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=542

Automotive
http://www.epa.gov/OMS/consumer/17-tips.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1netxNJG-ng
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut05.shtm

Kudos for Michelle Obama

A majority of U.S. residents give Michelle Obama high marks for her performance as first lady. 52% say that Mrs. Obama is doing either an excellent or good job in the position while just 9% believe she is handling herself poorly. 24% are unsure.

But, the first lady is not immune from party politics. 75% of Democrats report Mrs. Obama is performing well in the position. That’s compared with just 30% of Republicans. However, a notable proportion of the GOP — 36% — is unsure how to rate her.

Women give First Lady Michelle Obama higher marks than do men. 57% of women compared with 47% of men believe Mrs. Obama is doing an above average job.  There is little difference between younger and older Americans.  When it comes to U.S. residents under the age of 45, half report that Mrs. Obama is doing either an excellent or good job while 52% of those 45 or older feel the same.

Michelle Obama Approval Table

Marist Poll Methodology

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) is a survey research center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Founded in 1978, MIPO is home to the Marist Poll and regularly measures public opinion at the local, state, and national level. The Marist Poll is highly respected and is often cited by journalists and analysts around the globe.

Marist isn’t your grandfather’s polling institute. Surveys run the gamut. Topics include politics, money, family, spirituality, mind and body, sports, entertainment, and much more!

The Marist Poll is unique. It was the first college-based survey center in the nation to involve undergraduates in conducting survey research. It’s been 31 years and still counting. Students participate in each and every survey conducted. Their experiences allow them to weave political science, computing, communications, marketing, and psychology into an interdisciplinary learning experience. Student employment, internships, conferences, and seminars with leading journalists, pollsters and government officials can all be found at MIPO!

Next Page »