Institutional surveys guide decision-making, accreditation efforts, and strategic planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Because of their central role, they take priority over other campus survey initiatives. These surveys are regularly administered to students, faculty, and staff in various colleges, programs, and units. The results are shared campuswide and used by committees, colleges, and units to inform planning, program improvement, and policy.
Below is information about surveys designated as institutional surveys at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Chancellor’s Senior Survey (CSS)
The CSS captures the experiences of graduating seniors, and the results help various university stakeholders improve programs and practices.
The survey covers:
- Student participation in various campus activities
- Achievement of learning outcomes
- Perception of campus climate and disability support services
- Overall satisfaction with educational experience
Population: Graduating seniors
Timeframe: Annually in October and March
Administering Office: Office of the Provost
Custom reports are available upon request.
Contact: Linell Edwards, assistant director, Office of the Provost
Illini Success
Access Results:
- Annual Reports
- Faculty/Staff Data Portal – Access restricted to Illinois employees.
This survey gathers career-related information about the next steps for degree recipients.
The survey covers:
- First destination after college (e.g., work, graduate school, military, etc.)
- Employment/program type
- Salary
- Experiential learning experiences
Population: Graduating seniors and students in select graduate programs
Timeframe: End of each term (August, December, and April)
Administering Office: The Career Center
Contact: Un Yeong Park, associate director for Professional Connections, The Career Center
Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL)
The MSL is an international study that enhances knowledge regarding college student experiences and their influence on educational outcomes. It measures a variety of student leadership and educational outcomes.
The survey covers:
- Precollege information
- Collegiate experiences and co-curricular engagement
- High impact practices
- Campus climate
- Leadership programs impact
- Educational outcomes
Population: Random sample of 4,000 undergraduates
Timeframe: Every 3–4 years
Administering Office: Student Affairs
Custom reports are available upon request.
Contact: Beth Hoag, director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs
National College Health Assessment (NCHA)
The NCHA is a nationally recognized research survey that collects precise data on students’ health habits, behaviors, and perceptions.
The survey covers:
- Overall health and community
- Weight, nutrition, and exercise
- Food security
- Health care
- Academic performance impediments
- Safety
- Substance use
- Sexual health
- Mental health
- Sleep
- Chronic and acute conditions
Population: Random sample of 8,000 students
Timeframe: Every 3–4 years in February
Administering Offices: Student Affairs and McKinley Health Center
Custom reports are available upon request.
Contact: Nick Chancellor, associate director for Program Support Services and Student Health Insurance, McKinley Health Center
Campus Sexual Misconduct/Climate Survey
Access Campus Sexual Misconduct/Climate Survey Results
The survey provides the university with important information on campus sexual misconduct prevalence and responses to enhance prevention and response.
The survey covers:
- Experiences with sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and domestic and dating violence
- Perceived institutional response
- Disclosure and peer response
- Consent and bystander behaviors
Population: All students
Timeframe: Annually in February
Administering Office: Student Affairs
Contact: Beth Hoag, director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs
Campus Climate Assessment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Access Results:
- Interactive Dashboard – Access restricted to Illinois employees and students.
- Report
The Campus Climate Assessment Survey provides information about the community’s perspectives and experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The data collected is 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.
The survey covers:
- Campus climate
- Participation in DEI-related activities
- Identity-based differences
- Experiences in colleges
Population: All students, faculty, staff
Timeframe: Approximately every 3 years
Administering Office: Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights and Community
Contact: Gioconda Guerra Perez, interim vice chancellor for Access, Civil Rights, and Community
Student Experience Surveys
Access restricted to Illinois employees.
Access Student Experience Surveys Results
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.
The survey covers:
- Course delivery
- Faculty support
- Participation in campus events, activities, and services
- Communication
- Mental health and well-being
- Outcomes
Population: Random sample of 5,000 (nongraduating) students
Timeframe: Spring and Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Administering Office: Student Affairs
Contact: Beth Hoag, director for Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs
Doctoral Exit Survey
The survey covers:
- Academic experience
- Research experience
- Campus climate
- Professional development
Population: All graduating doctoral students
Timeframe: Each semester
Administering Office: Graduate College
Contact: Alexis Thompson, associate dean of Student Success, Graduate College
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
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.
The survey covers:
- High-impact practices
- Student satisfaction
- Perceived gains among seniors
- Student engagement
Population: Freshmen and seniors
Timeframe: Varies
Administering Offices: Data, Analytics, and Institutional Research and the Office of the Provost
Contact: Staci Provezis, associate provost for Planning and Assessment, Office of the Provost