Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness

UAlbany Survey Descriptions

This list includes all large-scale surveys coordinated with UAlbany's Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness (IRPE) in compliance with UAlbany's survey coordination policy. A number of smaller surveys have also coordinated with IRPE, but are not included on this list, as they will not have a large impact on the campus due to their sample sizes or recruitment methods.


• The surveys described below are in descending order.


• Please use this link to view UAlbany Research Reports.

Survey Schedule, 2017-2018

Office of Communications and Marketing - Administered to previous respondents of the Maguire Survey. Currently enrolled students, sample of 1,088..

Student Affairs Assessment and IRPE - administered to all undergraduate degree recipients from the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016.

Student Affairs Assessment and IRPE - administered to all undergraduate degree recipients from the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017.

IRPE and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion - Sample of Undergraduate and Graduate students.

Counseling and Psychological Services.

Counseling and Psychological Services – targeted 1000 randomly selected undergraduate student respondents. In class with faculty permission.

Counseling and Psychological Services.

IRPE and UPD Independent Review Committee - Sample of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty/staff.

Office of Institutional Research Planning and Effectiveness – Sent to all matriculated undergraduate students.

Counseling and Psychological Services and IRPE - Samples of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty/staff. Survey instrument developed by American Cancer Society.

NCAA Faculty Survey
Dr. Fogarty (as NCAA faculty representative) - All full-time faculty.

Survey Schedule, 2016-2017

This survey is intended to gather information about incidents of sexual violence and knowledge of related policies and resources. The survey is intended to help ensure a safe, healthy, and nondiscriminatory environment for our students, faculty, and staff. Run dates: March 2017.

The University at Albany is participating in NSSE for the fourth time this year (the previous times wer Spring, 2008, 2011 and 2014), along with every other four-year SUNY campus, and hundreds of other colleges and universities around the United States and Canada. For more information on NSSE at UAlbany, go to our NSSE information Run dates: February 22 - March 31.

This survey seeks input on a comprehensive set of issues related to the graduate student experience and graduate student life at the University at Albany, including class experience, advisement, campus climate, and numerous other issues. Run dates: February 21 - March 31.

This is a web survey of UAlbany tenured, tenure-track, and full-time non-tenure-track teaching faculty. It asks about a wide variety of topics related to work environment and quality of life issues. Run dates: February-March, 2017.

• Counseling Center Survey (February-March; classroom sample of undergraduates);

• Greek Life Survey (February; fraternity and sorority members);

• New Student Programs Survey (February; sample of new undergraduates);

• SUNY Campus Climate Survey (March-April; samples of students, faculty and staff);

• Student Community Engagement Survey (April; samples of students);

Web survey of all UAlbany employees, and a sample of UAlbany students.

Web survey of all UAlbany employees, and a sample of UAlbany students.

Web survey of all UAlbany employees, and a sample of UAlbany students.

Web survey of all UAlbany employees, and a sample of UAlbany students. For additional information about this survey, please click here.

This is a web survey of all UAlbany employees and a sample of UAlbany students.

This is a Web survey of all new UAlbany undergraduates conducted annually by the Division of Student Affairs.

Survey Schedule, 2015-2016

This is a Web survey of all UAlbany Libraries employees, including librarians, professional faculty and classified staff to provide feedback to interim Dean Mugridge.

This is a Web survey of all professional staff, non-tenure track teaching faculty, and matriculated graduate students to give them an opportunity to log information about their publicly engaged work of the type that tenured and tenure-track faculty already log in the Faculty Activity Report (FAR).

This is a web survey of all teaching faculty and professional staff and a random sample of students on knowledge and opinions about shared governance at UAlbany. This survey is conducted by the Office of Institutional Research on behalf of the Senate Governance Council.

This is a web survey of all faculty and staff and a random sample of students about experiences and satisfaction with the UAlbany Police Department. This survey is conducted by the Office of Institutional Research on behalf of the UAlbany's UPD Independent Review Committee.

This is a web survey of a sample of students at UAlbany, asking about their experiences and satisfaction with campus recreational activities. This survey is conducted by Campus Labs on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs.

This is a very brief web survey of all tenured and tenure-track faculty at UAlbany, asking about the extent to which their research activities include opportunities for collaboration with undergraduate students. This survey is conducted by the Office of Undergraduate Education.

This is a very brief web survey of all tenured and tenure-track faculty at UAlbany, asking about the extent to which their research activities include opportunities for collaboration with undergraduate students. This survey is conducted by the Office of Undergraduate Education.

This is a web survey of a sample of UAlbany undergraduates conducted by UAlbany's Division of Student Affairs.

This is a web survey of all entering students -- first-year and transfer -- conducted by UAlbany's Division of Student Affairs.

This is a web survey of UAlbany's faculty and professional staff, conducted by the UAlbany's branch of United University Professions, the union that represents UAlbany's teaching faculty and professional staff.

Survey Schedule, 2014-2015

This Spring, the University at Albany again invited all our undergraduate students to participate in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey (SOS). The SOS has been given to undergraduate students at all of SUNY's colleges and universities every third year since 1985. This survey helps UAlbany assess various areas of the academic experience, highlighting the areas where we are doing well, but more importantly, identifying the areas where we need to improve. We take the results of the survey very seriously, so participation is important but voluntary. More information on the SOS can be found here. Run dates: March 21- April 13th 2015.

This is a multi-mode survey -- partially done as a paper survey at point-of-contact at UAlbany's dining halls, and partly as a web survey of UAlbany students with meal plans.

This is a web-based survey of a sample of UAlbany students, on the prevalence of non-medical prescription drug (NMPD) use, motives for use, and student perceptions of the positive and negative consequences of NMPD use at three large State University of New York (SUNY) campuses (Buffalo, Binghamton, and Albany).

This Spring, the University at Albany is again inviting all our undergraduate students to participate in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey (SOS). The SOS has been given to undergraduate students at all of SUNY's colleges and universities every third year since 1985. This survey helps UAlbany assess various areas of the academic experience, highlighting the areas where we are doing well, but more importantly, identifying the areas where we need to improve. We take the results of the survey very seriously, so participation is important but voluntary. More information on the SOS can be found here. Run dates: March- April 2015.

Survey Schedule, 2013-2014

Conducted by Institutional Research on behalf of Department of Athletics, these are two surveys -- one of graduating seniors who have completed their athletic eligibility, and one of freshmen completing their first year as student/athletes. This survey seeks input from UAlbany's student/athletes on a broad variety of issues related to their experiences as both students and athletes at UAlbany. Run dates: May 1- May 18, 2014.

Conducted by Institutional Research on behalf of University at Albany Senate Governance Council, this survey seeks input by voting faculty (teaching faculty, including librarians and professional staff) on their familiarity with, participation in, and views about the University Senate, its councils and its committees, and issues of governance at UAlbany in general.. Run dates: May 1 - May 18, 2014.

Conducted by Institutional Research on behalf of University at Albany Senate Governance Council, this survey seeks input by undergraduate and graduate students on their familiarity with, participation in, and views about the University Senate, its councils and its committees, and issues of governance at UAlbany in general. Run dates: April 16- April 18, 2014.

This survey seeks input on a comprehensive set of issues related to the graduate student experience and graduate student life at the University at Albany, including class experience, advisement, campus climate, and numerous other issues. Run dates: March 11 - April 18, 2014.

The University at Albany is participating in NSSE for the third time this year (the first time was Spring, 2008 and the second time was Spring, 2011), along with every other four-year SUNY campus, and hundreds of other colleges and universities around the United States and Canada. For more information on NSSE at UAlbany, go to our NSSE information home page. Run dates: February 24 - April 11.

Given the dominant role "smart" mobile devices play, the University would like to gauge how much of its academic and administrative work is dependent on employees' ownership and use of these devices. Run dates: March 3 - 24, 2014.

This survey asked faculty members about resources available to them to support their research, scholarship, and/or creative endeavors. Run dates: February 3 - March 20, 2014.

This Fall, the University at Albany followed up on the Fall 2009 transporation surveys by inviting a sample of undergraduate and graduate students over the age of 18, and all faculty and staff, to participate in the UAlbany Transportation Surveys. The results of these important surveys will be used to inform administration policies on transportation issues and improve service to all UAlbany populations in this area. Run dates: November 14 - December 20, 2013..

Survey Schedule, 2012-2013

Administered to a sample of UAlbany graduating seniors by the Division of Student Success, May 2013.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany undergraduates by the Division of Student Success, Spring 2013.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany undergraduate and graduate students by the Division of Student Success, Spring 2013.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany undergraduates by the Division of Student Success, Spring 2013.

Administered by paper form in class to a sample of UAlbany undergraduate students, by the Counseling Center, Spring 2013.

Administered to all UAlbany teaching faculty, Spring 2013.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany graduate and undergraduate students, by IRPE, Spring 2013.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany undergraduates by Student Voice for UAlbany's Division of Student Success, Spring, 2013.

Administered to a sample of incoming UAlbany first-year students. Run dates: July-August, 2012.

Survey Schedule, Spring 2012

This Spring, the University at Albany is again inviting all our undergraduate students to participate in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey (SOS). The SOS has been given to undergraduate students at all of SUNY's colleges and universities every third year since 1985. This survey helps UAlbany assess various areas of the academic experience, highlighting the areas where we are doing well, but more importantly, identifying the areas where we need to improve. We take the results of the survey very seriously, so participation is important but voluntary. More information on the SOS can be found here. Run dates: March 21- April 13th 2012.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany graduate and undergraduate students. Run dates: March 12 -20, 2012.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany undergraduates by Student Voice for UAlbany's Division of Student Success. Run dates: February 24 - March 9, 2012.

Administered to a sample of UAlbany graduate and undergraduate students by Student Voice for UAlbany's Division of Student Success. Run dates: February 20 - March 9, 2012.

Survey Schedule, Spring 2011

This survey seeks input on a comprehensive set of issues related to the graduate student experience and graduate student life at the University at Albany, including class experience, advisement, campus climate, and numerous other issues. Run dates: March 15 - April 15, 2011.

The University at Albany is participating in NSSE for the second time (the first time was Spring, 2008), along with every other four-year SUNY campus, and hundreds of other colleges and universities around the United States and Canada. NSSE obtains, on an annual basis, information from hundreds of four-year colleges and universities nationwide about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. Survey items on The National Survey of Student Engagement represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education. That is, they reflect behaviors by students and institutions that are associated with desired outcomes of college.More information is available at UAlbany's NSSE information page. Run dates: February 15-April 1, 2011.

Survey Schedule, Fall 2010

This survey seeks input on the types of information about courses and instructors students would like to have available from the online course evaluations when you are planning your class schedules. Run dates: December 21, 2010-January 14, 2011.

This survey seeks information from our December 2009 and May 2010 graduates on their post-graduation activities. Run dates: December 1, 2010-January 31, 2011.

Survey Schedule, Spring 2010

All staff, non-teaching faculty, and samples of students, alumni and teaching faculty were invited to evaluate UAlbany's strengths and weaknesses in a number of areas. This anonymous survey is conducted on behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee and will be used to inform the strategic planning process. Run dates: February 12th-17th.

All UAlbany employees and a sample of students were invited to comment on UAlbany's priorities, and share their ideas for UAlbany's future in an open-ended question format. This anonymous survey was conducted on behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee and will be used to inform the strategic planning process. Run dates: January 25th-February 8th.

Other surveys of faculty and students are being conducted by other units, in coordination with IRPE. Specifics will be added shortly.

Survey Schedule, Fall 2009

This fall, the SIRF system, previously administered on paper during class time, has been moved online. The new system, created through the DigitalMeasures corporation, continues to be administered by UAlbany's Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness, and utilizes UAlbany's secure, password-protected MyUAlbany portal. Students will be sent e-mail invitations and reminders to their UAlbany e-mail addresses starting Monday, November 23rd. The system will be available through Reading Day, which is Tuesday, December 8th for the Fall Semester. For more detailed information on the new Online SIRF system, please check out our FAQ (Frequently-Asked Question) Page.

This Fall, the University at Albany is inviting a sample of undergraduate and graduate students over the age of 18, and all faculty and staff who work more than half-time, to participate in the UAlbany Transportation Surveys. The results of these important surveys will be used to inform administration policies on transportation issues and improve service to all UAlbany populations in this area. The student survey began on Wednesday, November 4th and the Faculty/Staff survey began on Thursday, November 5th; both will close before Thanksgiving Break.

Surveys Conducted, Spring 2009

This Spring, the University at Albany is inviting all our undergraduate students over the age of 18 to participate in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey (SOS). The SOS has been given to undergraduate students at all of SUNY's colleges and universities every third year since 1985. This survey helps UAlbany assess various areas of the academic experience, highlighting the areas where we are doing well, but more importantly, identifying the areas where we need to improve. We take the results of the survey very seriously, so participation is important but voluntary. More information on the SOS can be found here.

UAlbany's Campus Health Center conducted a survey of all students who have used the Health Center in the current academic year. The survey ran from February 25th through the end of March.

UAlbany's Office of Student Success, in cooperation with Student Voice, conducted a survey of student activities at UAlbany. A sample of UAlbany undergraduates was invited to participate in this survey which ran from February 10th through the 28th.

UAlbany's Office of Student Success, in cooperation with Student Voice, conducted a survey of campus security and student conduct at UAlbany. A sample of UAlbany undergraduates was invited to participate in this survey which ran from February 10th through the 28th.

UAlbany's Information Technology Services (ITS), in cooperation with Educause, conducted a survey of information technology behavior and satisfaction at UAlbany. A sample of UAlbany undergraduates was invited to participate in this survey which ran from February 24th through the middle of March.

Surveys Conducted, Fall 2008

Every ten years, UAlbany undergoes a comprehensive self-study as part of our re-accreditation process with our accrediting agency, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). UAlbany undergraduates, teaching faculty and voting faculty and staff are being asked to provide feedback on several critical issues that the Middle States Self-Study Subcommittees on Administration and Governance, Educational Offerings and General Education, Faculty, and Student Support Services are now considering. This is an important opportunity to inform the analyses and recommendations that are at the heart of our re-accreditation efforts. The aggregated survey responses will be made publicly available with the final report. The undergraduate survey ran from December 3 through December 19; the faculty/staff survey ran from December 3 through December 23.

For more information about the re-accreditation process, you may go to UAlbany's Middle States "wiki" here.

Every 2-3 years UAlbany participates in this national survey of university dining services, sponsored by the National Association of College and University Food Services. This provides both over-time comparisons of how our various dining venues are performing, and benchmarks comparisons with other similar campuses. This survey will be going out to all faculty and staff and half of UAlbany students starting November 12th.

These comprehensive surveys are an important part of our ongoing campus diversity audit, and what we learn through the process will help us improve the UAlbany experience of all UAlbany students, faculty and staff. The survey results help assess UAlbany's campus climate regarding diversity. All students are being sent survey invitations and reminders on their UAlbany e-mail accounts on October 28th and November 3rd or 5th. Faculty and staff will be sent invitations on November 5th and reminders on November 12th. If these e-mails are not in your inbox, you might be able to find them in your junk mail or spam folders. If you can't find the e-mails and still would like to take the survey, you can access it by going here and clicking on either the graduate or undergraduate survey link. A copy of the IRB approval is available here. The IRB approval for the Faculty and staff campus climate surveys can be found here.

UAlbany conducted a complete test of the new emergency NY-Alert system on Thursday, October 9th, 2008. Immediately after the alert was conducted, a link to an e-mail survey was sent to all UAlbany students, faculty and staff, asking them to take a quick survey evaluating the Alert. Administered by IRPE using "SNAP Online" survey software and hosting. Start date: October 9th, 2008; Closing date: October 17th, 2008.

Surveys Conducted, Spring 2008

This is a comprehensive assessment survey in which all matriculated graduate students are invited to participate. Administered by IRPE using "SNAP Online" survey software and hosting. Start date: April 16, 2008; Closing date: May 6, 2008. A non-interactive draft of the survey is available here. A copy of the IRB approval is available here.

This survey is an assessment tool for the Disability Services Center; all UAlbany students with a documented disability will be invited to participate. Administered by IRPE using "SNAP Online" survey software and hosting.Start date: April 8, 2008; Closing date: April 25, 2008.

This is a survey which examines influences on how well first-year students acclimatize to college life at UAlbany. It is being administered to a sample of around 800 first-year students. Administered by IRPE using PsychData. Start date: April 1, 2008; Closing date: April 11, 2008.

As part of the Campus Center's assessment plan, two simultaneous surveys are being conducted. The first, conducted by EBI, will establish benchmarks against peer institutions; a sample of 3,500 undergraduates and graduate students were invited to participate. The second, designed by the Office of Student Success and administered by Student Voice, goes to a sample of 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as all UAlbany faculty and staff. Start date: March 17, 2008; Closing date: April 11, 2008.

UAlbany conducted a test of some components of the new emergeny NY-Alert system on Friday, March 14th, 2008. Immediately after the alert was conducted, a link to an e-mail survey was sent to all UAlbany students, faculty and staff, asking them to take a quick survey evaluating the Alert. Administered by IRPE using "SNAP Online" survey software and hosting. Start date: March 17, 2008; Closing date: April 11, 2008.

The University at Albany is participating in NSSE for the first time this year, along with every other four-year SUNY campus, and hundreds of other colleges and universities around the United States and Canada. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) obtains information about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. Survey items on The National Survey of Student Engagement represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education. That is, they reflect behaviors by students and institutions that are associated with desired outcomes of college. Administered to a sample of 5,000 UAlbany first-year students and seniors by the Indiana University at Bloomington. Start date: February 13, 2008; close date: June 2, 2008.

The University at Albany is participating in PACS for the first time this year. This survey supplements NSSE with additional data on student characteristics. Like NSSE, it will enable comparisons to a group of peer institutions. Administered to a sample of 7,400 UAlbany students who were not included in the NSSE sample (therefore largely consisting of sophomores and juniors) by Student Voice. Start date: February 13, 2008; close date: April 15, 2008.

The University at Albany Counseling Center is conducting its annual survey related to student health issues. Administered in-class to a sample of 1,000-2,000 UAlbany undergraduate and graduate students by the Counseling Center. Start date: February 25, 2008; close date: March 20, 2008.

Apogee, the company that provides internet service in UAlbany's residence halls, conducted a survey to assess satisfaction with their service. Administered by Apogee by web to a sample of 2,000 Apogee customers. Start date: January 15, 2008; close date: February 8, 2008.

If you have any questions about Surveys at UAlbany, please contact Eric Walsh, UAlbany's Director of Assessment and Survey Research.