Data Access Framework
Community Wellbeing administers campus-level surveys to assess the holistic wellbeing of TMU’s student population. Surveys currently in use as of 2024 are the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS), and the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) Survey. Surveys are currently administered in alternating academic years, with results shared back across the TMU community in a variety of ways to encourage a deeper knowledge of wellbeing-related indicators, to utilize data to inform program planning, development and evaluation, and to monitor the impact of initiatives in place to improve wellbeing.
TMU community members may wish to access this data for a variety of reasons. These may include graduate students working on theses or dissertations on post-secondary mental health, professors and instructors conducting research or submitting grant applications, programs tracking impact, as well as other opportunities to utilize campus wellbeing data. This framework outlines the process for those outside of the Student Wellbeing leadership team to access TMU’s campus-level wellbeing survey data.
CCWS and NCHA both have policies in place for access of data from all participating institutions. Information on accessing a wider selection of data can be found on the CCWS website (external link) , or the NCHA website (external link) .
Please note, if you are requesting data for reasons such as media stories, specific program planning, course projects, or general interest requests, please contact CWStaff@torontomu.ca directly.
Process
An application form to access campus level wellbeing survey data can be found here: (google form) Community Wellbeing Data Access Application (external link) . Information collected on the form will be used to assess if the request falls within the stipulations outlined in the Research Ethics Board (REB) approvals for the CCWS and NCHA. Applicants can expect to hear back from Community Wellbeing within 4 weeks of application. Applications will be assessed based on: Clarity of rationale for data access; qualifications of applicant(s); applicants ability to abide by privacy, security and confidentiality requirements; potential impacts of data usage; and compatibility of intended purpose with Community Wellbeing.
De-identified data will be shared via TMU’s Google Drive with the approved applicant. Data may not be transferred to any unapproved parties without prior explicit consent from the Director, Community Wellbeing or the Executive Director, Student Wellbeing. At all times CCWS and NCHA data remain the property of Community Wellbeing & the Office of the Vice Provost, Students. If the data is to be used for any purposes not explicitly laid out in the approved application, or shared with any individuals not named in the application, a new application must be submitted.
As per TMU’s research ethics approval, data related to CCWS or NCHA can be retained for a 10 year period of time, after which it must be destroyed. Confirmation of destruction must be sent to Community Wellbeing via CWStaff@torontomu.ca.
Data must be stored on a password-protected computer, within TMU’s Google Drive that is accessible only to the approved applicant, and other individuals listed on the approved application.
Community Wellbeing requests all publications and presentations that include TMU’s campus wellbeing survey be sent to CWStaff@torontomu.ca. This is to help Community Wellbeing understand the ways the data is being used, and assess the utility of TMU’s continued involvement in campus level wellbeing surveys. Basic information regarding publications that result from accessing survey data will be posted on the Community Wellbeing website including Title of the Project; Name(s) of the Investigator(s) involved; Name(s) of the Institution(s) involved; a lay summary of work completed; Link to published data (if applicable).