UT student‑experience survey shows improvement; Gallup climate and COACHE faculty surveys to report later

University of Tennessee system officials reported improved results from the fall 2024 student experience survey and previewed two larger surveys whose full results will be reported later.

Bernie Sevaris told trustees the brief fall survey — now in its seventh administration since 2020 — netted a record response of more than 8,500 students and showed notable gains across multiple scaled items when compared with the survey’s 2020 baseline. For example, an item asking whether a student would recommend their campus rose from roughly 3.28 on a five‑point scale in 2020 to about 4.23 in 2024, Sevaris said.

Sevaris summarized thematic open‑ended feedback that campuses are already addressing: parking and housing pressures, advising and student‑support services, financial concerns and mental‑health resources. He emphasized that campus leaders will use survey results to target interventions and said many campuses conduct additional local surveys to drill into particular issues.

Separately, Sevaris previewed the Gallup climate survey the system completed Jan. 27–Feb. 24. Tennessee law requires a biennial survey of students and employees through 2028 to assess campus climate around freedom of expression and exposure to differing viewpoints; Gallup conducted the administration and system results are expected in June. Sample questions include statements about whether respondents can express opinions freely and have opportunities to interact with people with different views.

Dr. Matt Matthews briefed trustees on COACHE, the triennial faculty‑satisfaction survey. He cautioned the board that the COACHE data being discussed were from a previous administration (surveyed in 2021) and that a newer administration was in the field beginning Feb. 20. The earlier results show UT faculty rated several dimensions (including health and retirement benefits, facilities and a clear path to promotion) at or above the aggregate of four‑year public institutions that participated in COACHE. Matthews said the system scored above the cohort on the survey’s 25 supercategories overall, while noting some lower scores in areas such as interdisciplinary work and governance.

Trustees discussed timing for receiving the updated COACHE results and asked staff to return with more detailed campus comparisons and follow‑up action items; Matthews said campuses should expect updated results later in the summer and a system report in October.