The following key findings are derived from the SAES survey conducted in Spring 2024, both institutions Out of a total student population of 19,371, 1,899 students participated, resulting in a response rate of 9.8%. During the same period, 577 NIU undergraduate students participated in the survey, representing a response rate of 6.9% out of their total undergraduate population of 8,423.
Campus Engagement
- Students were asked about their use of campus services: Library, Library website, Student organizations, Commuter Centers, Academic support, Well-being support, Cultural centers, and Writing Center.
- Physical visits to the University Library was the most frequently reported across both UIC and NIU institutions.
- The second most frequent type of visits varied between the institutions
- At UIC, students commonly accessed the library website
- At NIU, it was student organizations
Library Use – Physical
- Student reported using the physical library for:
- Individual study
- Computer Use
- Taking a break
- Socializing
- Least likely to report using the library to attend instruction or for a consult
- Students reasons for not visiting the library included:
- Not needing library materials/ resources for their coursework
- Alternative study spaces
Library Use – Online Resources
- Students reported using the online library for:
- Database searching for articles
- Database searching for books
- Check library hours
- Students reasons for not using the online library included:
- Not needing library materials/ resources for their coursework
- Could find what they needed on Google
Student Challenges
- Students struggled to avoid distractions and maintain concentration
- Stress and social media emerged as top factors affecting academic work
Student definition of academic success
Academic goals
