Every three years, Rockhurst University turns to its students for guidance through the Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) — a survey that goes beyond checking boxes to reveal what students value most and how well the university is living up to those expectations. More than just a routine questionnaire, the SSI provides a direct line from students to decision-makers, shaping campus life in ways that are both visible and lasting.
Provost Sue Wilcox, who oversees the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, emphasized the central role the survey plays in Rockhurst’s mission.
“The Student Satisfaction Inventory provides Rockhurst faculty and staff with important information about the student experience on our campus. It helps us gauge what students believe are important and how effective we are in providing these experiences,” Wilcox said.
The survey’s impact is already evident. Matt Quick, vice president and dean of students, highlighted tangible changes driven by student feedback.
“Based upon feedback we received in the past on the bookstore, we hired a new manager and pursued the approval of an assistant manager role. We also renovated the space and added some school spirit items that had been sought by students,” Quick said.
Quick also pointed to safety improvements, including the RockUSafe app and expanded campus camera surveillance, which were implemented in direct response to student concerns.
Both Wilcox and Quick stressed that SSI findings are not only reviewed broadly by university leadership but also shared openly with student leaders, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
“Every time we have administered the SSI, we have shared these results with our Student Senate at an open meeting,” Quick said. “As we make changes, if student feedback has been instrumental in leading to this change, we try to explicitly share this in our communications.”
Beyond immediate improvements, the survey also informs long-term planning. “Student feedback from the SSI may be helpful in addressing a short-term issue or long-term needs,” Wilcox said. “Some findings may be addressed with strategies which can be quickly implemented. Others may require significant resources and align with a priority in the next three to five years of the strategic plan.”
For students who may wonder whether their participation truly matters, both administrators offered encouragement. “By participating in the survey, students have direct input into areas where they would like us to keep providing services and areas where we could make possible changes,” Wilcox said.
“The SSI is a chance for students to shape their future. Help us to understand what is important to you, what is not important to you, what is working and what is not working,” Quick added.
This year’s SSI will be open from Sept. 29 to Nov. 14 and can be accessed through student email or by scanning QR codes on flyers and tabletop cards placed around campus. All responses are anonymous, and participants will be entered into weekly drawings for $50 gift cards, with several winners announced at Rockhurst’s World Cultures Day on Oct. 9.
For Rockhurst students, completing the SSI means more than answering survey questions. It is a way to ensure their voices directly influence the university’s future — creating change not just for themselves, but for generations of Hawks to come.
