Student Housing Experience Survey
Student Housing and Community Services provides a home to over 14,000 UBC students in Vancouver. Student Housing aims to provide an environment that supports students’ wellbeing so they can succeed socially and academically.
As part of Student Housing’s strategy to continuously improve the experience of students living in residence, we’re inviting residents to participate in the Student Housing Experience Survey: Term One Check-in.
Taking the survey
Please check the email associated with your Workday Student account in the third week of October to find your personalized survey link. Â If you are unable to find the email, please contact residence.life@ubc.ca.
The survey completion time is estimated to be 5 to 10 minutes long.
The survey closes on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 11:59 pm.
Survey prizes
Residents who have completed the survey will have the chance to enter to win one of the following prizes:
- 128GB iPad (1 winner)
- Labubu Plush Pendent Big Into Energy Series blind box (12 winners)
- $50 UBC Bookstore gift card (2 winners)
- $25 UBC Food Services gift card (15 winners)
UBC Bookstore gift cards can be used in person or on the UBC Bookstore online store.
Winners will be contacted by email within one month of the survey closing. This survey is completely anonymous and personal information collected for the purpose of the draw will be kept separate from your survey response.
How will my response be used?
Confidentiality
Your personal information is treated confidentially, in accordance with UBC’s Privacy policies and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Only the survey administrators and technicians have access to student names, IDs, or contact information for troubleshooting survey issues and response validation. The team consists of two to three professional staff members.
Participant responses will not be linked back to individual students in any analysis and reporting. Data will be disaggregated for analysis (see below).
Learn more about Privacy in Student Housing, how personal information is handled at UBC and the university’s Protection of Privacy information and guidance.
Personal information
Certain personal information about students is not available at Student Housing. This information is gathered for disaggregated analysis.
When a data set is disaggregated, it means it has been broken down into specific, detailed sub-categories. Disaggregated data and subsequent analysis are invaluable tools to explore inequalities that may exist in Student Housing. This data helps to gather insight into residents’ experiences and inform new, strategic actions that focus on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion.
Survey participants will always be given a “prefer not to answer†option for the following data categories:
- Sexual orientation
- Spiritual and religious beliefs
- Race
- Current employment status
- History with alcohol, nicotine and cannabis
Sexual orientation, spiritual and religious beliefs and race
Historically, people of different sexual orientations, spiritual and religious beliefs, and races have experienced inequality due to differences in power dynamics and privilege. Gathering this information allows Student Housing to amplify the voices of students belonging to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
Current employment status
Students may choose to take on employment opportunities in addition to school for many reasons. Student Housing seeks to understand how their experience in residence may be impacted regarding seeking support, maintaining personal well-being, and their sense of belonging in the community, etc.
History with alcohol, nicotine and cannabis
UBC is committed to substance use health and harm reduction. This information allows Student Housing to identify potential gaps in our co-curricular programs.
Volunteering for Further Assessment
Participants can indicate if they are open to being contacted for a future qualitative follow-up, such as participating in a focus group or informational interview. Should consent be given, an invitation may be extended because the participant is part of a group of students from whom further insight is sought. However, individual responses will not be used to identify participants beyond the invitation.
Strategic action
The results of each survey provide crucial information for assessment that can lead to improvements within different operations to best serve students living in Student Housing.
Survey cycle
Survey design
Each survey topic usually runs on a three to five-year cycle, focusing on different units of Student Housing and Community Services in order to identify priority areas to elevate residents’ experience. Specific questions may change as necessary.
- Survey development starts in the summer.
- Term 1 survey goes through feedback and revision in September and early October.
- Term 2 survey goes through feedback and revision in December and January.
Gathering feedback via survey
A survey is conducted once in the Fall term, and again in the Winter term. The survey is open for two weeks.
- Term 1: October
- Term 2: February
Reporting
- A report for each survey result will be made available to all relevant unit leaders in the month following survey closure.
- Key findings will be made available for students to access on this website in the summer term following the Term 2 survey closure.
Questions
For any questions about the Student Housing Experience Survey or to report technical issues, please contact residence.life@ubc.ca. One of the survey administrators will respond as soon as possible.
Where can I share feedback on other aspects of my residence experience?
Dining experience and Food Services
Share your experience in the Spill The Bean survey.
Maintenance and housekeeping
If you have not submitted a maintenance request, please use the
Online Service Centre. Do not attempt to fix residence property on your own.
For ongoing facilities concerns or issues, you may wish to contact your Building Services Manager.