Understanding students and evolving to serve them better
Posted on January 5, 2026
By Sarah Ryeland-Etienne
When that survey link appears in your email inbox, does it really matter whether you fill it out or not? The answer is a resounding yes.
When it comes to student surveys, more participation means more data. More data means more clarity – and it’s that clarity that helps U of T create the programs, resources and services that enrich your experience.
“Understanding how our students think, feel and interact with their U of T journey is critical for us,” says Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students. “The feedback we receive through surveys helps us understand our strengths and identify ways we can evolve to meet student needs.”
Through initiatives such as the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey, Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey, gradSERU, the National Survey of Student Engagement and more, vital student insights are gathered. This valuable information is then used to inform the work done across the University.
“U of T’s student body is wonderfully diverse,” says Welsh. “That’s why it’s important to get as many responses as possible so that students really see themselves reflected in our work.”
And survey feedback is put to good use. Over the past few years, programs including the Co-Curricular Record, graduate funding, the Student Space Enhancement Fund, Centre for Graduate Mentorship & Supervision, Learning Abroad Fair, Undergraduate Research Hub and the expansion of the Black Hub and BSpace have been developed thanks to student responses.
“The information we gather through these avenues is thoughtfully and carefully considered,” says Welsh. “Our focus is – and always will be – providing students with the best support possible during their academic journeys. We set the bar high, and surveys are a helpful tool in measuring our performance.”
For more information about upcoming student surveys, visit data.utoronto.ca/surveys/.
