Goals, Mission, and
Organization

DSL Data

A compilation of data pertinent to student life at MIT

Data is the lifeblood of MIT. We have compiled and will continue to add data pertinent to DSL on this page to make it easier for community members to find now and in the future. These data are also available elsewhere on the DSL website and on other MIT websites. If you have questions or suggestions about the data shared here please email DSL Assessment and Research.

Survey Guidelines & Confidentiality Statement

DSL gathers qualitative and quantitative data in keeping with both the MIT Institutional Research Survey Guidelines and its confidentiality statement, which reads: “This survey is voluntary. You may answer as few or as many questions as you wish. Please be assured that the data are confidential, and the results of any research or analysis using the data will be presented in a way that individual respondents cannot be identified. For the purposes of analysis, we may combine other data with your responses to our surveys.”

DSL Data & Reports
 

Wellbeing

2022 National College Health Assessment 

Sponsored and distributed by the American College Health Association (ACHA), the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) is a nationally recognized survey designed to assess student health behaviors.  Over 30,000 students from 51 colleges and universities, including MIT, participated in the Fall 2022 survey.  The overall report for all participating institutions is available on the ACHA-NCHA Survey website.   For more information about the survey, please visit the ACHA-NCHA Survey FAQs.

• MIT Total Invited = 11,689; Response Rate = 13%; N = 1,479
  
   

COVID

• Housing and Student Life Survey Results Overview and Overall frequencies for Spring 2020 Housing Experience Survey​
  • These results are compiled from surveys sent to students living on campus in April 2020. The intent was to:
    • Learn about their experience as residents of MIT housing during the pandemic
    • Understand how they protect themselves and others from getting sick;
    • Get their feedback on social distancing housing policies for current and future residents; and
    • Find out which tools, resources, and tips have been helpful to them at the time.
       

Housing

• 2022 House Life Survey Overall Results
  • The House Life Survey was sent to all undergraduate students residing in an MIT undergraduate residence hall in November/December 2022. This survey gave students living in undergraduate residence halls an opportunity to provide feedback on their on-campus living experience. Topics included the residential community climate, facilities, house team relationships, and student government. The survey was co-sponsored by DormCon and DSL and was administered by MIT Institutional Research, Office of the Provost.
  • Total Invited = 3,458; Response Rate = 21%; N = 733
     

• 2022 Post-REX Survey Overall Results
  • The Post-REX Survey was sent to all first-year students in October 2022. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with housing assignments and the REX process. Students were asked provide information regarding their overall satisfaction with the housing experience so far, helpfulness of materials describing the residence halls and information received prior to arrival, and their experience with building exploration and the in-house room assignment processes.
  • Total Invited = 1,114; Response Rate = 17%; N = 189
     
• 2021 Post-REX Survey Overall Results
  • The Post-REX Survey was sent to all first-year students in December 2021. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with housing assignments and the REX process. Students were asked provide information regarding their overall satisfaction with the housing experience so far, helpfulness of materials describing the residence halls and information received prior to arrival, and their experience with building exploration and the in-house room assignment processes.
  • Total Invited = 1,178; Response Rate = 28%; N = 334
     

• 2019 Post-REX Survey Overall Results
  • The Post-REX Survey was sent to all first-year students in November 2019. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with housing assignments and the REX process. Students were asked provide information regarding their overall satisfaction with the housing experience so far, helpfulness of materials describing the residence halls and information received prior to arrival, and their experience with building exploration and the in-house room assignment processes.
  • Total Invited = 1,103; Response Rate = 52%; N = 579
     
• 2019 Arrival Survey + Post-REX Data Brief
  • This document provides a high-level overview of housing-related data from the 2018 & 2019 Arrival and Orientation & Post-REX Surveys. The results are tied to the room design guiding principles and show areas of progress and areas for improvement.
     
• 2018 First Year Residential Experience (Post-REX) Survey Overall Results
  • The First Year Residential Experience (Post-REX) Survey was sent to all first-year students in October 2018. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with housing assignments and the REX process. Students were asked to provide feedback on their experiences upon arriving at their residence hall, the condition of the building and their rooms, and the building and room assignment processes they experienced.
  • Total Invited = 1,113; Response Rate = 67%; N = 745
     
• 2019 Graduate Housing Satisfaction Survey Overall Results
  • In November 2019, the Graduate Housing Satisfaction Survey was sent to all MIT graduate students living in MIT housing. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with graduate housing processes and residence life. Students were asked to provide feedback on their experiences during the assignment and move-in processes and on their experiences once residing in their residence.
  • Total Invited = 980; Response Rate = 48%; N = 473
     
• 2018 Graduate Housing Satisfaction Survey Overall Results
  • In November 2018, the Graduate Housing Satisfaction Survey was sent to all MIT-affiliated graduate students living on campus. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with graduate housing assignments and the residence hall programs being piloted at the time. Students were asked to provide feedback on their experiences upon arriving at the residence hall, the room assignment and moving process, safety and security, and facilities.
  • Total Invited = 2,387; Response Rate = 41%; N = 971
     
• 2017 Dorm Life Survey
  • In November 2017, the presidents of MIT’s undergraduate residence halls invited residents to participate in a Dorm Life Survey. This survey gave students living in undergraduate residence halls an opportunity to provide feedback on their on-campus living experience. Topics included the residential community climate, facilities, house team relationships, and student government. The survey was facilitated by MIT’s Institutional Research Group in the Office of the Provost.
  • Total Invited = 3,206, Response Rate = 51%, N = 1,632
     
• First Year Housing Assignment Process Data Brief
  • To provide additional background and data for the Room-Assignment and Move-in Exercise workshop attendees, DSL compiled room-assignment and move-in related data points from four sources: First-Year Residential Experience Focus Group Session; 2018 Orientation Survey; 2018 Post-REX Data; and 2017 Student Quality of Life Survey.
  • Room-assignment and Move-in Design Exercise Overview

Dining

• Dining Rate Comparison

• Dining Satisfaction Data Brief
  • A data brief was compiled to provide an overview of data related to the dining experience of MIT community members. Data were included from the 2011 and 2015 Enrolled Student Surveys; 2011 and 2015 Graduate Enrolled Student Surveys; 2002 – 2018 Senior Surveys; and a newly implemented 2-question Monthly Dining Satisfaction Feedback Survey.
     
• Envision Dining Review
  • Beginning in 2016, DSL worked with consultants at Envision Strategies to collect data to transform the MIT dining experience. Data were collected from undergraduate and graduate students regarding what features of MIT dining were most important, including price, proximity, and value.
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MIT Institutional Research Surveys

MIT Institutional Research administers additional student surveys and publishes diversity data dashboards. For more information about their offices and for summaries of their projects visit ir.mit.edu.

Undergraduate Student Surveys

• Survey of New Students
• Student Quality of Life Survey (undergraduate & graduate)
• Academic Climate Survey (undergraduate & graduate)
• Undergraduate Enrolled Student Survey
• Undergraduate Senior Survey
• Graduating Student Survey (bachelors & masters)

Graduate Student Surveys

• Admitted Graduate Student Survey
• Incoming Graduate Student Survey
• Student Quality of Life Survey (undergraduate & graduate)
• Academic Climate Survey (undergraduate & graduate)
• Graduate Enrolled Student Survey
• Graduating Student Survey (bachelors & masters)
• Doctoral Exit Survey

Diversity Data Dashboards

• Diversity Dashboard

Office of the Chancellor Data & Reports

• 2019 Arrival and Orientation Survey Overall Results – DSL- and Housing-Related Questions
  • The Arrival and Orientation Survey was sent to all first-year students in September 2019. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction with arrival and orientation experiences, including information received prior to arriving on campus, students’ move-in and room assignment process, and orientation activities. This document provides results for DSL- and housing-related questions.
  • Total Invited = 1,102; Response Rate = 66%; N = 732
     
• 2014 Community Attitudes on Sexual Assault
  • In Spring 2014, Chancellor Barnhart sponsored a survey sent to undergraduate and graduate students to understand how sexual assault affects the MIT community. The aim of this survey was to collect information on some social and cultural aspects of MIT culture, attitudes and opinions on different types of social behavior, and experiences in different types of sexual situations, including those that are nonconsensual.
  • Total Invited = 10,831; Response Rate = 35%; N = 3,844