Surveys at UC Santa Cruz

IRAPS Surveys in blue with yellow banana slugs

Institutional Research, Analytics, and Planning Support (IRAPS) 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.


What's New in 2024?

Regular Student Surveys

Regular student surveys at UC Santa Cruz include:

Survey Population/Topic Frequency Results include:

UC Undergraduate Experience SurveyUniversity of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES)

 

A survey for all enrolled undergraduates, about a comprehensive set of topics including academics, student life, and future plans.

Every 2 years in Spring quarter (next in 2024)

  • Data tables for the 2022 survey
  • Program specific reports - students in the program
  • Remote learning
  • Advising
  • Campus climate for diversity
  • Student participation in research
First Destination Survey confetti and banana slug with graduation capFirst Destination Survey

A survey for recent UC Santa Cruz undergraduate degree recipients, about employment, graduate school plans, and career plans.

Every quarter

(Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer quarters)

 

UCSC 2023 Graduate Student Survey with outline of five studentsGraduate Student Survey

A survey for all enrolled graduate students about a comprehensive set of topics including academic training, research, teaching preparation, financial support, basic needs, well-being, and campus services. Part of the University of California Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES).

Every 2 years in Spring quarter (next in 2025)

  • Program specific reports - students in the program
  • Financial security and support
  • Teaching preparation
  • Campus services

 

UCSC Doctoral Placement Survey in yellow speech bubble with banana slugDoctoral Placement Survey

The UC Santa Cruz Doctoral Placement Survey is for doctoral students during the quarter of program completion.

Ongoing

People of Color Sustainability Collective with blue circle with yellow sunEnvironmental Sustainability Survey

A series of surveys focusing on undergraduates' perceptions and attitudes of the environmental sustainbility movement on campus, sponsored by the People of Color Sustainability Collective.

Periodic (2016, 2019, 2022)

  • Infographics of environmental concerns, community health, environmental justice, and definitions of sustainability

 

College Choice Survey with banana slug and blue bookCollege Choice Survey

A survey of first-year and transfer students admitted to UC Santa Cruz, about students' college choice and experience with the admissions process.

Periodic (most recent 2023)

Previous Surveys

Additional surveys that have addressed issues of interest on campus include:

StayConnected2UCSC SurveyStayConnected2UCSC Surveys

A series of surveys that focused on students' experiences during remote learning (2020-2021).

Results include:

Family Support Survey

A survey of students, faculty, and staff about child care and dependent adult care needs, conducted in collaboration with the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate's Child Care and Family Services Advisory Committee (2020).

Class Availability Student Survey (CLASS)

A survey of all enrolled undergraduates about class availability, designed in collaboration with the UC Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz (2015).

UC-Wide Campus Climate Survey

A survey with research findings available at UC Office of the President's webpage (2014).

Diverse Learning Environments Survey

A survey of undergraduates, designed by the Higher Education Research Institute, that was part of the Diversity and Community Building Study at UC Santa Cruz (2011).

 

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.
  • To request access to a collection of materials on survey development (a Canvas-based course), send a request to surveys@ucsc.edu.