The Division of Student Services at Seton Hall launched an initiative to gather student feedback on the quality of campus programs and services.
The program, called the Survey Squad, allows students to directly shape SHU’s approach to student engagement through surveys and engagement opportunities.
The initiative was created by Andrew Minegar, senior director of Student Services Operations and Nicole LaCapria, assistant director of Assessment and Special Projects, in collaboration with Winston Roberts, assistant vice president of Student Services and dean of Student Engagement, with a goal to collect stronger, more representative data on student experiences and needs “by bringing students directly into the assessment process as paid leaders and ambassadors for student voice,” according to a university press release.
While surveys can be important for evaluating student programs, SHU faces low response or interest rates, resulting in less representative data, the press release said.
“Usually, I tend to skip over student surveys,” Maribel Grasman, a sophomore diplomacy major, said. “There are a few times where I’ve filled out surveys when I know of a specific incident or event that has happened. So I suppose I fill out surveys when I feel like I have something to say.”
For some students, low survey participation reflects a broader concern about how SHU responds to student feedback. Enja Barry, a sophomore international relations major, said he feels SHU administration doesn’t listen or hear student opinions and doesn’t recognize how the student body feels.
“They don’t allow protests on campus against the administration, and when the Hillel Club faced incredible adversity over our Drag Bingo event last year, the university did very little to help us and even allowed a protest against the club,” Barry said. “I feel strongly that the university does not do enough to help student voices feel represented on campus.”
Students have also suggested that incentives could increase participation in surveys.
“I think incentives like a raffle would help encourage me to participate in surveys,” Chloee Lynch, a sophomore international relations major, said. “If students want feedback, especially if it’s not favored by a majority of the student body, student-led incentives like that work most of the time.”
University Relations said students selected for the Squad will receive training, mentorship and a stipend for their work.
Students of all backgrounds and majors are welcome to apply. Students interested in joining the Survey Squad can email Nicole LaCapria at nicole.lacapria@shu.edu to schedule a brief meeting to learn more.
Carmine Sortino is a writer for The Setonian’s News section. He can be reached at carmine.sortino@student.shu.edu.
