The Office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Policy Studies at UC Santa Cruz is actively engaged in conducting a strategic survey research program that includes participation in nationally-developed survey projects and the development and administration of locally-developed survey instruments. These survey activities are part of the university’s commitment to institutional effectiveness and improvement.
Calendar of Surveys
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The UCSC Campus Surveys Calendar shows a schedule of campus-wide student surveys for each quarter. |
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In Spring quarter 2021, the major survey is the Graduate Student Survey. This important survey is conducted only once every two years, and provides graduate students an opportunity to share opinions and experiences about academic training, funding, support, and the overall climate at UCSC. |
Student Surveys at UCSC
Regular large campus-wide student surveys at UCSC include the surveys shown below. For information about these surveys, including survey results, please see each of the linked pages below.
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UC Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES) A survey of all enrolled undergraduates, conducted every two years during spring quarter. It is a comprehensive survey about the undergraduate experience including academics, student life, and future plans. |
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A survey of all enrolled graduate students, conducted every two years. It is a comprehensive survey about the graduate student experience including teaching, research, campus climate, and professional development. |
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An ongoing survey of recent UCSC undergraduate degree recipients, about graduate school or career plans and outcomes. |
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A periodic survey of first-year and transfer students admitted to UCSC, about students' college choice and experience with the admissions process. |
Recent Additional Surveys
Additional surveys are conducted to address issues of current interest on campus. These recently have included:
- Environmental Sustainability Survey - a survey of undergraduate students with one round in 2016 and another round in 2019.
- Family Support Survey - a survey designed to understand the child care and dependent adult care needs of students, faculty, and staff. This survey was conducted in 2020, in collaboration with the UCSC Child Care and Family Services Advisory Committee.
Previous Student Surveys
- Class Availability Student Survey (CLASS) - a survey of all enrolled undergraduates about class availability. The surveys were designed in collaboration with UCSC's Student Union Assembly (2010-2017).
- Queer Students of Color: Experiences and Engagement - a report based on survey research findings and recommendations for the improvement of visibility, inclusivity, and retention of Queer Students of Color at UCSC (2015).
- UC-wide Campus Climate Survey - UCSC report with research findings is available at UCOP (2014).
- Diverse Learning Environments Survey (DLE) - a survey of undergraduates that was part of the 2011 Diversity and Community Building Study at UCSC. This survey was designed by the Higher Education Research Institute (2011).
- Freshman Survey (CIRP) - a survey every other year of the incoming first-year cohort, designed by the Higher Education Research Institute (1993-2010).
For More Information
- For support on survey question development or assistance with survey administration, please use the IRAPS Survey Team's Consultation Request Form.
- For general information, including survey results and access to older reports, contact the IRAPS Survey Team at surveys@ucsc.edu.