Download the Â鶹AV Campus Climate Survey - Executive Summary
In the fall of 2022, the Â鶹AV’s Office of Campus Diversity, under the Office of the President, administered the first-ever Â鶹AV Campus Climate Survey with the assistance of Viewfinder® Campus Climate Surveys. The survey period opened on October 17, 2022, and closed on November 15, 2022.
Campus climate surveys are important tools for assessing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the overall sense of belonging at a university. These surveys collect data on students, faculty, and staff's experiences and perceptions of the campus climate, including issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and discrimination. The collected data can help universities identify areas of concern, develop targeted interventions, and monitor the effectiveness of DEI initiatives over time. These efforts can lead to a more inclusive campus culture that supports the success and well-being of all members of the university community.
Campus climate surveys are critical to cultivating a sense of belonging on campus. By understanding the experiences and perceptions of underrepresented groups, universities can create environments where everyone feels valued and included. This sense of belonging can lead to increased student retention, academic success, and overall satisfaction with the university experience.
In addition to improving campus culture, campus climate surveys also help universities meet legal and accreditation requirements. Many accrediting bodies require universities to demonstrate their commitment to DEI and demonstrate progress toward specific goals.
Campus climate surveys provide universities with evidence-based data to support these efforts and demonstrate their commitment to DEI.
Extensive editing of the original survey supplied by Viewfinder® was conducted by the 2021-2022 Diversity Advisory Council, to align the survey questions with our institutional structure and to ensure the inclusion of survey questions related to populations of interest to the university, such as First-Generation College Students. The final survey questions were reviewed and approved by President Savoie.
Two separate surveys were conducted; one for students and one for employees.
A marketing campaign to encourage participation in the survey was supplemented by various incentives, some donated by various departments across campus and purchased through the Diversity and Inclusion fund; this was to secure the highest rate of participation possible.
The response rate for the Viewfinder® Campus Climate Survey for Students was
about 5% for students and nearly 28% for employees.