Your Needs Survey
The Your Needs survey focused on understanding the extent to which students attending UT Dallas are meeting their basic needs related to food, housing, health, course requirements, technology, transport, and childcare. Fulfilment of these core basic needs is a prerequisite for experiencing life and learning as a Comet to the fullest. The primary objective of this anonymous survey was to collect actionable data that could be used to inform priorities going forward.
More than 8,000 Comets (26%) responded to the Your Needs survey. Your responses will inform significant institutional changes to enhance the student experience.
Example Findings
45%
Over 4,000 students (45% of respondents) said that in the last 12 months, they had to go without software/digital resources required for coursework (sometimes or often) because they were unable to afford the expenses.
29%
Over 2,500 students (29% of respondents) said that in the last 12 months, they had to go without a personal computer/laptop adequate for coursework (sometimes or often) because they were unable to afford the expenses.
46%
Over 4,000 students (46% of respondents) said that in the last 12 months, they had to go without textbooks (sometimes or often) because they were unable to afford the expenses.
1 out of 5
Over 1,800 students (1 out of 5) said that in the last 12 months, they had to forgo seeing a doctor because they were unable to afford the expenses.
16%
Around 1,400 respondents (16%) had been unable to pay (or underpaid) their rent or mortgage in the past 12 months.
37%
Over 3,000 respondents (37%) had borrowed money from friends or family in the past 12 months to help pay bills.
~100
Around 100 respondents said they had been homeless in the last 12 months.
~250
Around 250 respondents said they had slept in a car, truck, van, RV, or camper in the last 12 months.
31%
Over 2,500 students (31%) said that in the last 30 days, they had worried that their food would run out before they got money to buy more.
1 out of 5
1 out of 5 respondents said that in the last 30 days, they went hungry because there wasn’t enough money for food.
Find Help & Support
If you are experiencing a basic needs insecurity, please email graduationhelpdesk@utdallas.edu. If discussing your basic needs causes you any distress, please visit the Student Counseling Center.
Updates
Next Steps Timeline Announced
Summer: Continue data analysis.
August: Distribute summary findings and action plan templates to campus partners.
August – September: Facilitate meetings with school and administrative unit teams.
October – November: Conduct student town halls to share results and action plan outcomes.
Host 60-day follow-up meetings to discuss next steps.
Related Resources
Comet Cupboard
UT Dallas’ food pantry initiative is dedicated to helping students in need.
Graduation Help Desk
Your one-stop resource within the Office of Undergraduate Education is designed to help undergraduates overcome barriers to a timely graduation.
Office of Graduate Education
Graduate students who are experiencing any barrier to a timely graduation should contact Ruth Schemmer by email at gradeducation@utdallas.edu.
Dean of Students
Connect with the dean of students by email at dos@utdallas.edu for guidance navigating the many resources we have on campus that support your personal well-being.
Financial Aid Counselors
Every student at UT Dallas has access to a financial aid counselor.
Why Does It Matter?
Universities across the country that have assessed their students’ basic needs have found ways to use the results to improve their students’ experiences and outcomes. Our goals are to improve the UT Dallas student experience and mitigate the impact of systemic inequities to improve student outcomes. Explore recent reports from basic needs assessments at institutions like the University of California system (pdf) and California State University system (pdf) for more information.