It seems everyone is swamped this time of year, what with finals and last-minute paper-writing and all-nighters and saying goodbye to your friends for the summer. Still, the fine folks at the college’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning are hoping you can take a few minutes to fill out a survey—a survey that has the potential not only to evaluate the college, but help plan for its future.
“This year we asked first year students to complete the “Your First College Year” survey, seniors to complete the “College Senior Survey,” and sophomores and juniors to complete the “Diverse Learning Environment” survey,” says Cynthia Gray, director of IRAP. “All three are national surveys that not only give us feedback about ourselves, but allow us to compare ourselves to other institutions like ours.”
Right now, the survey most lacking in response has been the one sent to sophomores and juniors—the “Diverse Learning Environment” survey. Conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, this survey asks students’ opinions on many items relevant to examining the impact of college: academic work, interaction with faculty and peers, participation in campus activities, and perceptions of the climate on campus.
“The theme and focus of the survey is diversity, and we are hoping to use your input and perspective to help shape the way we address issues of diversity – diversity of people, experiences, and structures – in the future,” says Gray.
Regardless of your graduating year, to find the survey in your inbox, simply do a search for Gray’s email address – graycb@beloit.edu – and follow the link to the survey site.
More about the surveys:
- First-years: Conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles, the “Your First College Year” survey asks your opinion on many items relevant to examining the impact of college. The survey is done every three years, which makes your input vital.
- Sophomores and juniors: Beloit College is participating in a national survey about diverse learning environments in college. Also conducted by HERI at UCLA, the “Diverse Learning Environments” survey asks your opinion on many items relevant to examining the impact of college. The theme and focus of the survey is diversity, and we are hoping to use your input and perspective to help shape the way we address issues of diversity – diversity of people, experiences, and structures – in the future.
- Seniors: The “College Senior Survey” asks your opinion on many items relevant to examining the impact of college, including your satisfaction with your college experience, and your post-college plans and aspirations. This survey is done every three years.