Student Experience in the Research University

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About SERU    

The Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) Consortium is a community of research-intensive universities collaborating on administering student surveys and sharing data for institutional self-improvement. It is based at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at UC Berkeley, working in partnership with Etio and member universities. Membership in the SERU Consortium is open to research-intensive universities (having R1 designation and equivalent international campuses) by invitation and for a multi-year term. 

SERU member universities collaborate by:

  • Administering undergraduate and graduate SERU surveys (census, online, customized, longitudinal) of the research university experience

  • Sharing SERU benchmark data and best practices

  • Seeking paths for institutional self-improvement

SERU Consorium has published over 150 articles, reports and book chapters, hosted over 40 conferences and symposia. Currently, it owns a dataset with over 1 million student responses available to external researchers. 

Undergraduate Survey

First launched in 2002, the Undergraduate SERU survey focuses on aspects of the undergraduate experience including: academic engagement, educational experiences, satisfaction, campus climate, major evaluation, academic and professional development, student wellbeing, and cost of attendance.

Graduate Survey

First launched in 2017, the gradSERU survey focuses on the post-baccalaureate experience and covers topics including: selection and admission, financial support, advising, teaching and research experience, program climate, career plans, student wellbeing, obstacles to completion, and overall satisfaction.

Every Student Has A Voice. Make Sure You're Listening.

Uses of SERU Data

Internal: 

  • program review
  • benchmark data by disciplines
  • evaluating and informing campus-wide initiatives on campus climate, student retention, advising, engagement, etc

External: 

  • campus accreditation
  • accountabiltiy reports
  • media and public relations 
  • research and policy analysis

For the most updated program information, please visit SERU official website.