How do I complete the U of T Student Equity Census?

The U of T Student Equity Census is a demographic data collection initiative that will be used to develop, assess, and maintain programs and initiatives that respond to the needs of our students. You can learn more about the U of T Student Equity Census and view the FAQs here.  

  1. If you have not yet completed the U of T Student Equity Census and are registered for the current academic session, you will see a blue or yellow notification at the top of the ACORN Dashboard. The link in that notification message will direct you to the U of T Student Equity Census page in ACORN.

    Screenshot of the notification to complete the U of T Student Equity Census that appears on the ACORN Dashboard.

    Screenshot of the notification to complete the U of T Student Equity Census that appears on the ACORN Dashboard.


  2. You can also access the U of T Student Equity Census page by going toProfile & Settings” from the left-hand navigation menu and clicking “U of T Student Equity Census” near the top of the page or in the card.

    Screenshot of how to get to the “U of T Student Equity Census” from the “Profile & Settings” area in ACORN.


  3. On the U of T Student Equity Census page, you can read an introduction about the census and click the “Get Started” button.

    Screenshot of the “U of T Student Equity Census” page in the “Profile & Settings” area containing instructions, information, and resources on how to complete the Census.


  4. You will be directed to the first page of the census form. At the top of every page, you can read instructions on how to answer the questions and complete the form. 
    1. All questions are mandatory unless stated otherwise, so you will need to complete all the questions within each step before clicking the “Save & Continue” button to progress. This will save the answers that you’ve provided so far in case you navigate away from the Census.
      Screenshot of instructions when completing and submitting a response for the first time.

      Screenshot of instructions when completing and submitting a response for the first time.

      Screenshot highlighting the “Save & Continue” button that appears on every page of the form when submitting a response for the first time.

    2. As you progress through the form, you can click “Previous” or use the navigation near the top of the form to go to the previous page.

      Screenshot of how to navigate the Census form when completing the Census for the first time.

    3. Depending on your answers to certain questions, additional mandatory questions may appear.

      An example of the “Please Specify Further” text field that appears when the option “An identity not listed (please specify below)” is selected.

    4. If you don’t want to answer a question, select “Prefer not to answer”. If you select this option, you will not be able to select other options for the question.

      An example of a “Prefer not to answer” option selected for a question, with the rest of the options disabled.

    5. To erase all of your answers and restart the form, click “Reset Form”. Your answers will be removed, and you will be directed to the first page of the form where you can start over. This action will not override any saved progress until you click either “Save & Continue” or “Save & Exit”.

      Screenshot highlighting the “Reset Form” button that appears on every section in the Census when submitting a response for the first time.


      Screenshot of the “Reset Form” modal.

    6. To navigate away from the census, click “Save & Exit Form”. This will re-direct you to the U of T Student Equity Census home page where ACORN will inform you that you currently have a response in progress. Please ensure that you return and complete the form as soon as possible.

      Screenshot highlighting the “Save & Exit Form” button that appears on every section in the Census when submitting a response for the first time.


      Screenshot of the “Save & Exit Form” modal.

  5. When you’ve reached the final page of the form (7. Data Collection Feedback & Submit), you can choose to provide the U of T Student Equity Census team with any feedback regarding your experience with the census. This field is optional.

    Screenshot of “7. Data Collection Feedback & Submit” highlighting the large text box where students may provide feedback and comments before submitting a response.

  6. Once you’ve answered all the required questions in the census and read the important information on the page, click “Submit Response” to save and submit your response.

    Screenshot highlighting the important information and the “Submit Response” button under “7. Data Collection Feedback & Submit”.

  7. If your response was submitted successfully, you will see a success notice at the top-right corner of your screen. You will be directed to the U of T Student Equity Census home page where you can view your response anytime and edit it as long as you are registered for the current academic session.

    Screenshot of “U of T Student Equity Census” page in “Profile & Settings” and the success toast that appears after submitting a response.