Surveys of students, staff, and faculty provide essential insights into the Lake Forest College experience. Through a coordinated schedule of instruments, the Office of Institutional Research gathers feedback from our campus community on topics ranging from academic and campus life satisfaction to workplace climate and campus safety. Findings are shared with College leadership and campus stakeholders to spark meaningful conversations, guide institutional planning, and support our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement at Lake Forest.
| Survey/Tool | Audience | Frequency | Last Done | Next Scheduled | Origination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survey/Tool HEDS Student Satisfaction Survey | Audience all students | Frequency TBD | Last Done Spring 2026 | Next Scheduled TBD | Origination Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) |
| Survey/Tool Staff Satisfaction Survey | Audience all staff | Frequency TBD | Last Done Spring 2026 | Next Scheduled TBD | Origination LFC Institutional Research & Staff Governance Committee (SGC) |
| Survey/Tool Faculty Satisfaction Survey | Audience all faculty | Frequency every 2 years | Last Done Spring 2025 | Next Scheduled Spring 2027 | Origination LFC Institutional Research & Faculty Personnel Policies Committee (FPPC) |
| Survey/Tool Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | Audience all students | Frequency every 2 years | Last Done Fall 2024 | Next Scheduled Spring 2027 | Origination Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) |
Survey Descriptions
HEDS Student Satisfaction Survey
The Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) Student Satisfaction Survey measures student satisfaction across key aspects of the Lake Forest College experience, including academic programs, campus services and facilities, and overall satisfaction. Results help the College identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement and allow benchmarking against peer liberal arts institutions nationwide. Findings are shared with the campus community to inform planning and program development.
Staff Satisfaction Survey
The Staff Satisfaction Survey is administered by the Office of Institutional Research in partnership with the Staff Governance Committee (SGC). It gathers feedback from all staff on topics including career development, compensation and benefits, and overall job satisfaction. The survey gives staff a structured voice in institutional decision-making and helps College leadership understand the experiences and priorities of the staff community. Results inform policy, resource allocation, and staff support initiatives.
Faculty Satisfaction Survey
Administered by the Office of Institutional Research in collaboration with the Faculty Personnel Policies Committee (FPPC), the Faculty Satisfaction Survey gathers feedback from all faculty on topics including performance expectations, shared governance, and work-life satisfaction. Administered every two years, the survey helps College leadership track faculty experiences over time and identify where the institution can better support its faculty.
Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey
Mandated by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey assesses student awareness of campus resources related to sexual misconduct, perceptions of campus safety, and experiences with sexual harassment and assault. Administered every two years, it helps Lake Forest College meet its obligations under Illinois law while informing the College's ongoing efforts to foster a safe, respectful, and supportive campus environment for all students.