Surveys
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness manages several campus climate and departmental surveys that collect data from the cadets, faculty, and staff about their experiences and perspectives with the academic and non-academic programs and services offered at the Institute. The table below offers details about each survey.
Survey | Description | Population | Frequency | Next Survey |
---|---|---|---|---|
Matriculation |
This survey includes items related to the matriculation process and its activities and events prior to the start of the fall semester. |
Parent/Guardians |
Annually |
Fall 2024 |
Cadet Services |
This survey addresses all facets of VMI’s educational experience. This initiative is a core element of the Institute’s overall system for evaluating VMI’s educational and operational effectiveness. The focus of this survey alternates each year between academic and non-academic services. |
All Cadets |
Annually |
Fall 2024 (Academic) |
Rat Challenge |
This survey is used to assess the Rat Challenge program, which offers leadership opportunities for upper-class cadets (Rat Challenge Cadre), while involving Rats (first-year students) in vigorous outdoor experiential program. |
Rat Challenge Participants (Freshman) & Cadre |
Annually |
Fall 2024 |
Employee |
Employees are asked to rate various components of their experience as an employee of VMI. |
VMI Faculty & Staff |
Annually |
Spring 2025 |
First Class Cadet Survey (FCCS) |
This survey provides graduating cadets with the opportunity to share their perspectives about various aspects of the VMI environment and experience. |
First Class (Senior) Cadets |
Annually |
Spring 2025 |
Community Attitudes and Experiences Survey (CAES) |
This survey focuses on the campus climate, specifically associated with experiences of sexual harassment and assault as well as perceptions of the Institute. |
All Cadets |
Every other year |
Spring 2025 |
Summer Session I & II Surveys |
Cadets and faculty evaluate various components of their summer session experiences. |
All Undergraduates who attend session I or II |
Annually |
Summer 2025 |
Summer Transition Program (STP) Survey |
This survey assesses the activities that make up the Summer Transition Program (STP). The STP was designed to provide an opportunity for cadets to acclimate to VMI and get an academic head start by taking a course from the core curriculum. |
All STP Participants |
Annually |
Summer 2025 |
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) |
This survey collects information from four categories: 1) participation in educational activities; 2) the challenging nature of the coursework; 3) perceptions of the college environment; and 4) estimates of educational and personal growth since starting college. |
First (Senior) and Fourth (Freshman) Class Cadets |
Every 3 years |
Spring 2026 |
Questions? If you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss your assessment practices, please contact MAJ Daniel Marshall at marshalldr@vmi.edu.