Research & Assessment: Analysis and Reports
Student Affairs Research and Assessment (SARA) is involved in a variety of assessment projects for Student Affairs and the University.
The PULSE surveys are the most recognizable of our initiatives. These surveys are administered two to four times a year on a variety of topics. For more information on PULSE surveys and access to the reports, please visit the Penn State PULSE page.
SARA also provides leadership and assistance on large-scale assessment projects. Many of these involve multiple stakeholders, including the Commonwealth campuses, academic areas within the University, other Student Affairs units, and community partners. Information and links to projects with published reports are listed below:
- Student Experience Survey (Formerly Student Satisfaction Survey)
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The Student Experience Survey is a recurring survey that gathers feedback from students to explore the relationship between students’ perceptions, experiences, and successes. The most recent Student Experience Survey was administered in March 2017. This survey was also conducted in 2014. Its predecessor, the Student Satisfaction Survey, was conducted in 2010, 2007, 2004, and 2002. Please visit the Student Experience Survey page for more information.
- Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey
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The 2015 Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey was administered University-wide with the aim of understanding students’ experiences surrounding sexual misconduct and knowledge of related resources while attending Penn State. In order to track the progress of the University’s ongoing initiative to combat sexual violence, this survey will be administered every three years. The next administration will occur in 2018. Please visit the Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey page for more information.
- Alcohol Assessment
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The Annual Assessment is a report published yearly by The Partnership – Campus and Community Against Dangerous Drinking. The report compiles information about dangerous drinking behavior and its consequences among Penn State students and within Centre County and tracks changes over time. One source used in the report is data from PULSE surveys regarding student drinking.
- View the Annual Assessment Reports at The Partnership’s website.
- View recent PULSE Student Drinking Reports in our Box folder.
- Educational Programming Record (EPR) Reports
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Using the online Educational Programming Record (EPR), Student Affairs staff enter any programs or events offered throughout the year (May 15 – May 14). Information such as attendance, audience type, and participation in various University compliance programs and initiatives are included for each event/program. A report is compiled annually so that Student Affairs units can track, assess, and view trends in the programs that were offered. Information from the EPR is also used to track programming related to various compliance categories, such as the Clery Act. Please visit the EPR page for more information.
- Project Cahir Survey
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Administered in Spring 2019, the Project Cahir Survey aimed to gather feedback from students to better understand the climate and needs of Penn State students as well as inform decisions in developing and providing resources/services to help our Penn State community on Penn State’s University Park campus. Please visit the Project Cahir Survey page for more information.