Queen's UniversityHealth & Wellbeing Surveys
In February and March 2022, the university surveyed all Queen’s students to get a comprehensive picture of student health and wellbeing.
The entire student population was randomly invited to complete one of three surveys:
- National College Health Assessment (NCHA) – a US-based tool previously implemented at Queen’s in 2013, 2016, and 2019.
- Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS) – a new made-in-Canada instrument.
- Canadian Post-Secondary Alcohol & Drugs Survey (Health Canada) – a Health Canada survey focused on substance use. As of February 2023, Queen’s has not yet received results of the CPADS survey.
Results of the NCHA and CCWS surveys have been received, analyzed, and organized by the following themes:
- Overall health
- Physical health
- Food security
- Mental health
- Substance use health
- Social health, including belonging, respect and safety
- Awareness of health services
Statistically significant and meaningful differences in responses among student sub-groups, including students who identify as LGBTQ2S+, students who identify as racialized, students with disabilities, first-generation students, and others, are noted.
The pandemic, and more specifically COVID-19 restrictions that impacted the university experience, were challenging for student mental health. At the time the surveys were conducted, students were attending classes remotely. Several other Canadian post-secondary institutions also implemented the surveys on their campuses, and the results show how Queen’s compares to the Canada-wide results. Queen’s results of the 2022 surveys compared to previous surveys, are noted.
The survey data is being used to help:
- Identify the most common health-related issues affecting students’ academic performance and wellbeing
- Identify sub-groups of students experiencing particular challenges, and requiring specific supports
- Identify areas of strength within the campus community
- Engage students, staff and faculty to help improve a campus-wide culture of wellbeing in all aspects of the student experience.
Campus community members are encouraged to discuss the results and initiate further actions to promote student wellbeing.
Student Communication Preferences Survey
In March 2024, the Student Communications Survey was undertaken in partnership with University Relations to help determine students' satisfaction, channel and information preferences, and social media and email use. This feedback will help inform how the university communicates with students going forward.
The Shift Survey - Measuring Campus Climate & Culture
The Queen's Shift Survey seeks to better understand systemic racism, exclusionary and discriminatory behaviours, as well as student perceptions of safety, campus culture, and connectedness. Students completed the first campus climate survey in 2021.
Now called the Shift Survey, students completed the campus climate survey in Winter 2023. Respondents had the opportunity to comment on safety, suggest actions to improve campus culture, and provide additional feedback.
Student engagement with the results is facilitated through the Queen's Shift Project, a collection of events and initiatives, guided by a longstanding Student Advisory Group, that aims to build allyship and improve campus culture.