Division of Management Information

Institutional Student Surveys

What is an institutional survey?

Institutional surveys are used to guide institutional decision making, accreditation efforts, and strategic planning, and thus take priority over other campus survey initiatives. These surveys are conducted on a regular basis and administered to students in various colleges, programs, and units. The results are shared campus-wide, and the findings are used by various campus commitees, colleges, and units.

What surveys are designated as institutional surveys at the University of Illinois?

The University of Illinois currently designates nine surveys as institutional surveys. Below is information about the surveys.

Institutional Survey Calendar: The calendar will be updated annually to allow researchers to plan around institutional survey projects.

Survey Mapping: list of variables and constructs mapped across the institutional surveys.

Chancellor's Senior Survey (CSS)

The Chancellor's Senior Survey captures the experiences of graduating seniors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through feedback on participation in university-sponsored and other campus-related activities, perceived gains on campus-wide learning outcomes, perceptions of campus climate and disability support services, and overall satisfaction with the educational experience at Illinois. Data from the CSS are used to help various university stakeholders improve programs and practices.

Survey Population: Graduating seniors
Administration Timeframe: Annually, in October and March
Administering Office: The Office of the Provost
How do I access the results? Key Constructs Measured:
  • Student participation in various campus activities
  • Achievement of learning outcomes
  • Perception of campus climate and disability support services
  • Overall satisfaction with educational experience
Survey Contact: Linell Edwards, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Office of the Provost, lde2018@illinois.edu

Illini Success

This survey gathers career-related information about the next steps of degree recipients, including employment, continuing education, and volunteer service.

Survey Population: Graduating seniors and some graduate programs
Administration Timeframe: End of each term in August, December, and April
Administering Office: The Career Center
How do I access the results? University Faculty and Staff access here: https://illinisuccess.illinois.edu/
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Students' first destination after college (e.g., work, graduate school, military, volunteer, still seeking)
  • Type of employment/program
  • Salary
  • Experiential Learning
Survey Contact: Contact Illini Success at illinisuccess@illinois.edu, Un Yeong Park, Associate Director for Professional Connections, The Career Center park351@illinois.edu

Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL)

The Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL) is an international study to enhance knowledge regarding college student experiences and their influences on educational outcomes. The survey provides a comprehensive picture of student co-curricular engagement and measures a variety of student leadership and educational outcomes.

Survey Population: Random Sample of 4,000 Undergraduates
Administration Timeframe: Every 3-4 years, the last iteration was in 2021 and the next administration is planned for 2025
Administering Office: Student Affairs
How do I access the results? Custom reports and analysis available upon request
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Pre-college information
  • Collegiate Experiences and Co-Curricular involvement
  • High Impact Practices
  • Campus Climate
  • Leadership Programs Impact
  • Various Educational Outcomes (e.g., social perspective taking, resiliency, innovation)
Survey Contact: Beth Hoag, Ph.D., Director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs bhoag2@illinois.edu

National College Health Assessment

The ACHA-National College Health Assessment (NCHA) is a nationally recognized research survey that collects precise data on students' health habits, behaviors, and perceptions.

Survey Population: Random sample of 8,000 students
Administration Timeframe: Administered every 3-4 years in February
Administering Office: Student Affairs, McKinley Health Center
How do I access the results? Custom reports and analysis available upon request
Key Constructs Measured:
  • General Health and Campus Climate
  • Nutrition, BMI, Physical Activity, and Food Security
  • Health Care Utilization
  • Impediments to Academic Performance
  • Violence Abusive Relationships, and Personal Safety
  • Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Acute Conditions
  • Ongoing or Chronic Conditions
  • Sleep
Survey Contact: Nick Chancellor, Associate Director for Program Support Services & Student Health Insurance, npc26@illinois.edu

Campus Sexual Misconduct Survey/Campus Climate

The purpose of the survey is to provide the University with important information on campus sexual misconduct prevalence and responses to enhance prevention and response.

Survey Population: 2024 and beyond- All students, 2019 - Random sample of 12,000 students
Administration Timeframe: February, Last administered in 2019, administration schedule for 2024 and annually
Administering Office: Student Affairs, supported by Chancellor
How do I access the results? https://wecare.illinois.edu/reports/
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Experiences with Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Stalking, Domestic and Dating Violence
  • Perceived Institutional Response
  • Disclosure and Peer Response
  • Consent and Bystander Behaviors
Additional Information: Beginning in FY2024 a new State of Illinois survey instrument will be used.
Survey Contact: Beth Hoag, Ph.D., Director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs bhoag2@illinois.edu

Campus Climate Assessment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The University of Illinois DEI Campus Climate Survey is designed to help us learn about our community's perspectives and experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The data collected will be used to understand the present climate at the university and to inform current and future decisions about supporting a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant campus community.

Survey Population: All students, faculty and staff
Administration Timeframe: October - November 2023, approximately every 3 years
Administering Office: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
How do I access the results? Public report will be available at https://diversity.illinois.edu/ when analysis is complete.
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Campus climate
  • Participation in DEI related activities
  • Differences based on various identities (e.g., ability status, racial/ethnic identity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression)
  • Experiences in academic college
Survey Contact: Gioconda Guerra Perez, Ph.D., Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, gguerra@illinois.edu

Student Experience Surveys

Student Experience Surveys were conducted during COVID-19 to better understand students' experiences and ascertain student preferences for future operations and events. Student Affairs is considering revising the survey for use in future semesters.

Survey Population: Random sample of 5,000 students (who were not graduating)
Administration Timeframe: Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Administering Office: Student Affairs
How do I access the results? University Faculty and Staff access here: https://covid19.illinois.edu/student-survey-results/
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Course delivery and preference
  • Faculty support
  • Participation in Campus Engagement in Events, Activities, Services
  • Barriers and Recommendation for Engagement
  • Communication Options
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Outcomes: Sense of Belonging, Connection to University, Health and Wellbeing Climate, Climate for Success
Survey Contact: Beth Hoag, Ph.D., Director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs bhoag2@illinois.edu

Doctoral Exit Surveys

The Doctoral Exit Surveys allows Illinois to compare students' experiences in its doctoral programs with those of students from peer institutions. Data from this survey helps improve doctoral programs on our campus.

Survey Population: All graduating Doctoral Students
Administration Timeframe: Each semester
Administering Office: Graduate College
How do I access the results? Custom reports and analysis available upon request
Key Constructs Measured:
  • Academic Experience
  • Campus Climate
  • Research Experience
  • Professional Development
Survey Contact: Alexis Thompson, Associate Dean of Student Success, athmpsn1@illinois.edu

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was created in the early 2000s to better understand undergraduate students' perception of institutional support for behaviors that lead to student success and to gauge students' participation in these activities.

Survey Population: Freshman and Seniors
Administration Timeframe: Varies
Administering Office: Division of Management Information and Office of the Provost
How do I access the results? https://secure.dmi.illinois.edu/NSSESurvey/
Key Constructs Measured:
  • High Impact Practices
  • Student Satisfaction
  • Perceived Gains Among Seniors
  • Student Engagement
Additional Information: 2016 data is the most recent results, future iteration is unknown
Survey Contact: Linell Edwards, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Office of the Provost, lde2018@illinois.edu