Bates Surveys & Results

Our office administers a series of institutional surveys to Bates students. Information about these surveys is given below, including PDF versions of the survey instruments. Survey results are available to Bates faculty and staff; you will be asked to enter your Bates username and password.

Senior Survey

Every year, Bates surveys seniors as they leave the College to gauge their satisfaction and growth as a result of four years at Bates. In odd years, Bates has historically participated in the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) Senior Survey. In even years, we participate as a guest in the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) Senior Survey. In 2023, we used a homegrown survey instrument. In all surveys, graduating seniors are asked to evaluate their academic and social experiences, assess the impact of their college experience on various outcomes, and describe their post-graduation plans.

Sophomore Survey

In 2022, Bates administered its first Sophomore Survey. This survey focuses on pre-major advising, and the process of choosing a major, while capturing information about students’ broader experiences during their first two years at Bates.

COACHE Faculty Survey

During the 2017-18 academic year, Bates participated in the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) Faculty Survey. COACHE is a multi-institutional study aimed at understanding faculty job satisfaction. The survey covers a wide range of aspects of the faculty experience, including the tenure and promotion, mentoring, the department experience, leadership and governance, institutional resources and support, and the nature of their work (i.e. teaching, research, and service).

Past Surveys

CIRP Freshman Survey

Bates has historically administered the CIRP Freshman Survey. Click here to learn more about the CIRP Freshman Survey.

YFCY (Your First College Year)

From 2012 through 2018, Bates administered the YFCY Survey every other year (on even years) during the winter semester of the first year. Click here to learn more about the YFCY Survey.