University Launches Comprehensive Student Basic Needs Survey

U of A students now have an opportunity to share the challenges they face inside and out of the classroom — from balancing work and family obligations and transportation needs, to accessing food, childcare and mental health support.

The Division of Student Affairs' Center for Community Engagement has launched the comprehensive Student Basic Needs Survey to better understand the resources and challenges that shape students' ability to learn, thrive and succeed.

The survey is funded through a $59,210 Walmart Foundation Strengthening Communities: Healthier Food for All grant awarded to the Center for Community Engagement and the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry.

Developed with the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, the survey asks undergraduate and graduate students about food security, housing stability, mental health, transportation, childcare, employment and more.

The anonymous survey is available from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and students should check their university email for an invitation and participation details. Findings will be analyzed in spring 2027.

"Our goal is to ensure that every student has the resources they need to thrive," said Donna Jones, director of the Center for Community Engagement. "This survey will allow us to listen directly to students, better understand their experiences and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions."

While previous campus assessments have examined issues such as food access, housing and transportation separately, this survey will provide a more holistic view of student experiences. Findings will help university leaders identify gaps in services, strengthen successful programs and guide future plans.

"A key goal is to ensure that future decisions are informed by data and student experiences rather than assumptions," Jones said.

The partnership with the Hope Center will provide the university with strategic consulting, personalized coaching, peer benchmarking and access to a national learning community focused on student basic needs. Survey findings also will inform a two-year strategic plan tailored to the university.

"The project extends beyond the survey," Jones emphasized. "This partnership gives us an opportunity to understand where we stand nationally and learn alongside other institutions."

The division's Assessment & Strategic Analytics team is supporting Institutional Review Board approval, implementation and data analysis.

The grant also will fund new weather-resistant pickup lockers at the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry in the Arkansas Union. The lockers will provide a secure, convenient way for students, faculty and staff to retrieve pantry orders while expanding access to food resources in a central campus location.

Jones said the survey's impact will extend beyond campus. Findings will help inform conversations with Northwest Arkansas community partners, strengthening connections that support students during college and after graduation.

"We are thrilled to have the support of the Walmart Foundation for this important work," Jones said. "While the survey will help us better serve students at the University of Arkansas, what we learn can also strengthen partnerships and support systems throughout our community."

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, a sense of community, and success. We prioritize student well-being, post-graduation preparedness, and building a strong organizational culture. For more information, visit studentaffairs.uark.edu.