Surveys
The goal of assessment is to improve the quality of University of Idaho programs, services and campus climate. The U of I uses assessment results to make determinations of quality, effectiveness, accomplishments and mission fulfillment. One method for collecting this data are surveys administered by Assessment and Accreditation. All of these surveys are confidential and the data is used in the aggregate.
See surveys below for more information on each one. Requests for reports, data or information beyond what is available here should be sent to assessment@uidaho.edu.
During Spring 2020, the University of Idaho administered three surveys – one each to students, faculty, and staff. The survey was used with permission from the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS), with some slight adaption. The purpose of the survey was to better understand the impact of the UI’s response to COVID-19 and the transition to online learning. To view the HEDS questionnaires (© 2020 Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium) or learn more about the surveys, see the HEDS website.
Reports
- Student Survey – COVID-19 Institutional Response
- Faculty Survey – COVID-19 Institutional Response
- Staff Survey – COVID-19 Institutional Response
Additional reports may be available upon request. For more information, email the Associate Director, Assessment and Accreditation at assessment@uidaho.edu.
The CIRP Freshmen Survey (TFS) is offered by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA since 1973. U of I students enrolled in English 101 or 102 are asked to complete the paper survey sometime within their first three weeks of class. The purpose of this survey is to better understand what our incoming students are like before they experience college. U of I has administered this survey annually since 1992. The survey yields information on student demographics, study patterns, and social activities in the senior year of high school, academic self-assessment, career goals, ways of financing college education, and objectives of college study. In addition, we are able to evaluate how our students compare to students nationwide, and also with previous classes of U of I students.
Reports
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) has been administered by the Center for Postsecondary Research in the Indiana University School of Education since 1998. U of I freshmen and senior students are asked to complete an online survey administered directly by NSSE. The purpose of this survey is to better understand student engagement, and how our undergraduates spend and benefit from their time in college. U of I first participated in this study in 2000 and currently aims to participate every other year. Survey items reflect behaviors (of both students and institutions) associated with good practices in undergraduate education. According to NSSE, “Institutions use their data to identify aspects of the undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom that can be improved.”
Data from the NSSE is available biennially and is administered at U of I during the Spring in even years. Data is available online to self-service users in Anthology (formerly Campus Labs) Baseline, where users can look at cross-tabulations, print customized reports and download data. To request access to the NSSE in Anthology, please complete this form. If you require a prior year report, or a report other than what is available here, send your request to assessment@uidaho.edu. Additionally, NSSE offers an interactive report builder tool populated with data from 2009-current. The NSSE Report Builder can be used to generate tables of engagement indicators, benchmarks and/or individual item frequencies that compare student subgroups, within our institution and/or between institutions. Access to the NSSE Report Builder requires an access code that can be requested by emailing assessment@uidaho.edu.
Reports
- NSSE 2022 Overview
- NSSE 2022 Snapshot (U of I)
- NSSE 2022 Administrative Summary
- NSSE 2022 Engagement Indicators
- NSSE 2022 Frequencies and Statistical Comparisons (U of I)
- NSSE 2022 High Impact Practices (U of I)
- NSSE 2022 Multi-Year Report
- NSSE 2022 Pocket Guide Report
- NSSE 2022 Respondent Profile
- NSSE 2022 Selected Comparison Groups (Peers)
- NSSE 2022 Topical Module Report: Inclusiveness & Engagement with Diversity
- NSSE 2022 Topical Module Report: High Impact Practices (Idaho)
Additional Resources
The Graduating Senior Survey has been administered by U of I since 1992. U of I seniors planning to graduate are expected to complete the online survey when they are logged into VandalWeb, and before they complete the Application for Degree. The content of the survey is based on goals and objectives relative to academic programs and campus-wide student services. Student opinions, satisfaction with their experiences, and reflections on their learning are dimensions of this exit survey, as are students’ perspectives on the five Institutional Learning Outcomes. Demographic data is gathered from Banner and retained along the survey responses.
The survey questions elicit satisfaction ratings regarding: experiences and learning in the general education programs and in the major; student services and resources for students; library and learning resources; academic computing; financial support for education; research experience and study patterns; career advising resources; semesters spent earning a degree and reasons for extended programs; and, living and employment patterns. A section of this survey is devoted to the department, and its teaching and learning environment, and another section to advising.
Data from the Graduating Senior Survey is available annually, for each academic year and generally contains data collected from July to July. For example, for 2019-2020, the snapshot contains data from July 2019 to July 2020. Data is also available online to self-service users in Anthology (formerly Campus Labs) Baseline, where users can filter the data by college/department, look at cross-tabulations, print customized reports and download data. To request access to the GSS in Anthology, please complete this form. If you require a prior year report or a report other than what is available here, send your request to assessment@uidaho.edu.
The NASPA Assessment & Knowledge Consortium is a collection of assessment instruments focused on key areas within Student Affairs. Participating campuses can select assessments to administer during an academic year based on campus priorities. Consortium studies are designed to provide colleges and universities with actionable campus-specific and benchmarking data to shape and enhance programming inside and outside the classroom.
The rotation schedule for the next three years of NASPA Consortium Studies is here.
The Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark is an online assessment that is administered in early fall to newly enrolled first-year and transfer students. The assessment provides actionable data on:
- Outcomes of orientation programming
- Students' ease of transition to college
- Students' relationships with faculty, staff, and peers
- Students' knowledge and utilization of campus resources and co-curricular activities
- Suggestions for improving orientation
Participating campuses have access to:
- Real-time data through a secure, online reporting site
- Sophisticated data analysis tools for creating institution-specific reports
- Benchmarking tools for peer and national comparison reports
- Data exports into Excel or SPSS for more advanced analysis
For 2019-2020, the University of Idaho results are benchmarked with the following segments:
- Clarion University - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- Eastern Connecticut State University - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- Fordham University - Lincoln Center - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- Fordham University - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- University of Idaho - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- West Chester University - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
- West Texas A&M University - NASPA Consortium: Orientation and New Student Programs Benchmark 2019-2020
For a step-by-step tour of the benchmarking report and capabilities, see this recorded webinar.
To access additional report formats or tools, login to uidaho.campuslabs.com or email assessment@uidaho.edu with your request.
Reports
The Survey of Undergraduate Alumni was designed to study the alumni's perception of the quality of the U of I undergraduate degree programs and curricula. The content of the survey reflects the goals of enhancing undergraduate education, expanding the outreach service mission of the university and providing quality preparation in various potential outcomes of college study (i.e. leadership, creative thinking, communications, ethical principles and work habits). The survey assesses general education and the major, student satisfaction with departmental offerings and advising, preparation for advanced studies or employment and employment experiences.
Reports
The U of I Staff Survey was designed in response to a variety of comments and concerns expressed during the 1995 and 1996 President's Forums for Staff, and was first administered in 1996. The survey was intended to: help identify issues of concern across a broad spectrum of staff members; generate discussions to determine and meet the needs of staff; expand the university's insight into staff perceptions, attitudes and opinions in a variety of areas; and develop an information base to help the university set some goals and priorities for staff development. The survey includes questions on job satisfaction, working environment and conditions, organizational communications, and campus climate. The Staff Survey is administered online by IEA every three to four years.
Reports
The HERI Faculty Survey has been offered since 1989 by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA. The survey covers topics including pedagogical practices, faculty goals and expectations for students, research and service activities, sources of stress and satisfaction and the connection between learning in the classroom and practices in the local and global community. The survey is web administered to all U of I faculty. The University of Idaho participated in every administration between 1989 and 2013, which was only offered every three years.
Reports
The U of I Freshman and Sophomore survey was designed in response to a variety of comments and concerns across campus regarding the need for more information about the issues which were prompting successful undergraduate students to leave. The focus is on the first two years as this is where the largest attrition occurs. It was designed around a literature review and a specific theoretical model of retention. The survey is intended to: help identify issues during the early college stage; generate discussions to determine and ways to better meet the needs of students; expand the university's insight into student perceptions, attitudes and opinions in a variety of areas; and develop an information base to help inform the university as it develops interventions. It was begun in the fall of 2018 as a pilot and refined in the spring of 2018. It is planned as a tool to be administered early each fall and spring semester.
Freshman Sophomore Satisfaction Survey Fall 2018-19
Freshman Sophomore Satisfaction Survey Spring 2018-19
Project CEO (Co-Curricular Experience Outcomes) is an important national benchmarking study highlighting the most desirable soft skills for college students to possess, as identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The data gathered in Project CEO showcases key learning and job competencies gained through co-curriculars and off-campus employment opportunities, including teamwork, workflow planning, decision-making, verbal communication and problem solving. This survey is administered by Anthology (formerly Campus Labs). The first administration was Spring 2020, with annual administration. UI undergraduate students are invited to participate in this study via email.
More Information about Project CEO
Reports
Additional Surveys
Surveys are administered by many departments and programs that might be relevant to audiences across campus. A list of surveys not administered through Assessment and Accreditation is provided below, with information about each. If you have a survey that should be added to this list, please email assessment@uidaho.edu.
Website
National College Health Assessment
Population
More than 1.4 million students at 960+ institutions of higher education have taken the survey, as of 2021. In Fall 2020, UI had 727 student responses.
Frequency
Most recent administration was 2020. Survey previously administered every odd year.
About the Survey
The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) offered by the American College Health Association (ACHA), is a nationally recognized survey of college students covering a range of health issues, including alcohol and drug use, sexual health, mental health, food security, and safety. The survey is confidential (names and emails are not attached to responses) and takes students approximately 30 minutes to complete. Data about our student’s health is used to improve the student’s experience with health and prevention services. The survey has been offered nationally since Spring 2000. The Fall 2020 survey included questions about COVID-19.
Data Availability
Requests for historical reports or additional information should be sent to Vandal Health at vandalhealthed@uidaho.edu.
Population
Education Abroad student participants
Frequency
Administered each semester
About the Survey
Education Abroad students receive the survey before and after their education abroad experience. Data is collected about the student’s program selection, preparation, global awareness (using cultural frames of reference), appreciation of other cultures and preparedness to interact and work with others from diverse backgrounds.
Data Availability
Contact Kate Wray Chettri, Director of Education Abroad, at kwraychettri@uidaho.edu.
Website
Overview of survey (NACE membership required to view national reports)
Handshake platform (requires student or staff access through U of I)
Population
Graduating seniors
Frequency
Three times per year (August, December and May grad cohorts)
About the Survey
Graduates are surveyed for employment and graduate school information, using national demands and standards. Examples of information that may be collected from graduating students includes: first job or graduate school admissions, job search activities, satisfaction with first job, and motivation for pursing degree and/or occupation. The average response rate nationwide is 52%. The First Destination Survey gathers data only on the student’s first six months after graduating.
Data Availability
- First Destinations Survey 2019-2020, UI Summary Results
- The Outcomes Survey Executive Summary 2017-2018
- The Outcomes Survey Executive Summary 2016-2017
Requests for historical reports or additional information should be sent to Career Services at careerservices@uidaho.edu or 208-885-6121.
Population
Current residence hall students are invited to participate.
Frequency
Annually; Each November
About the Survey
This survey measures satisfaction (hall staff, room assignments & room change process, safety & security, facilities, roommates), as well as whether living in a residence hall has an impact on learning (personal interactions, sense of community, diverse interactions, etc.).
Data Availability
Requests for data or additional information should be sent to Deedee Kanikkeberg at deedeek@uidaho.edu.
Population
U of I students, faculty, and staff
Frequency
Annually; Each February
About the Survey
This online survey asks dining questions tailored to the respondent’s role (student or faculty/staff) and dining habits (resident dining and/or retail locations).
Data Availability
Requests for data or additional information should be sent to Michael Thomsen at Michael.Thomsen@sodexo.com.
Population
U of I graduate students, after graduation
Frequency
Twice a year
About the Survey
This survey asks recent graduates about their experience at U of I as a grad student.
Data Availability
Requests for data or additional information should be sent to College of Graduate Studies at cogs@uidaho.edu.
Population
Voting records of 10 million students at more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Frequency
Every 2 years (following every election – presidential and midterm)
About the survey
This report is based on the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), conducted by IDHE, which is the only national study of college-student voting. It is based on the voting records of more than 10 million students at more than 1,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; IDHE does not receive any information that could individually identify students or how they voted. The study provides reports to participating colleges and universities, like the University of Idaho, which use them to support political learning and civic engagement, as well as to identify and address gaps in political and civic participation.
The IDHE website contains many resources, such as FAQs about NSLVE, and reports and guides for campus discussions.
U of I Reports
- Student Voting Rates for the University of Idaho (Updated September 2022)
- National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) – UI Report (2020)
- National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) – UI Report (2014/2018)