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Surveys

Institutional Research, Assessment, and Policy Studies (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.

Surveys in 2023

See the UC Santa Cruz Campus Surveys Calendar for a schedule of campus-wide student surveys for each quarter.

Regular Student Surveys

The UC Undergraduate Experience Survey and Graduate Student Survey are large surveys held every two years. The First Destination Survey is for each quarter's undergraduates who have applied for graduation. The Doctoral Placement Survey is for doctoral students who are about to graduate. The Environmental Sustainability Survey for current undergraduates, and the College Choice Survey for undergraduate applicants, are conducted periodically.

	UC Undergraduate Experience Survey A survey for all enrolled undergraduates, about a comprehensive set of topics including academics, student life, and future plans. The survey is conducted every other Spring quarter (most recently in Spring 2022). Recent results include: 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 A survey for recent UC Santa Cruz undergraduate degree recipients, about employment, graduate school plans, and career plans. The survey is held each quarter for students who have applied for graduation. Recent results include: 2016-2021 Dashboard of Results which current students and recent graduates can use to help with major selection and career preparation
	Graduate Student Survey A survey for all enrolled graduate students, about a comprehensive set of topics including academic training, financial support, research, teaching preparation, professional development, basic needs, well-being, and campus services. The survey is conducted every other Spring quarter, including currently in Spring 2023. Recent results include: Program specific reports - students in the program Financial security and support Teaching preparation Campus services
	Doctoral Placement Survey The UC Santa Cruz Doctoral Placement Survey has recently been updated and is for doctoral students during the quarter of program completion.
	Environmental 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 and conducted in 2016, 2019, and 2022. Results include: Infographics of environmental concerns, community health, environmental justice, and definitions of sustainability
	College Choice Survey A periodic survey of first-year and transfer students admitted to UC Santa Cruz, about students' college choice and experience with the admissions process. The survey is conducted periodically (next in Spring 2023).

Previous Surveys

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

	StayConnected2UCSC Surveys A series of surveys that focused on students' experiences during remote learning (2020-2021). Results include: Special reports and infographics on each topic
	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.