A pilot survey distributed this month at the U of A will help measure the campus climate and identify strengths, opportunities for improvement and better ways to cultivate and sustain an inclusive environment for campus. 

The survey, which will be launched Oct. 28, will be sent to a select group of approximately 250 people — to include faculty, staff and students — with the full survey to be released in mid-January that will be open to the entire campus community. The survey will take less than 20 minutes to complete and covers topics such as: 

• Perceptions and satisfaction of the overall campus climate, and also as it pertains to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Perceptions of the university's commitment to and support for diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Departmental norms and experiences as well as overall experiences at the U of A.
• Intergroup interactions.
• Perceptions of and experiences with diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as discrimination and harassment at the university.

A short video outlines the importance of the survey and how it can drive change on campus. 

"This campus climate survey is crucial to our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, not just because it helps us benchmark where we are as an institution as it relates to DEI, but because it allows each member of our campus community to tell their story and use their voice in making the U of A more welcoming for everyone," said Yvette Murphy-Erby, vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion. "We hope everyone will take the time to complete this survey and share their input and experiences." 

Incentives for students are being explored when the full survey is launched in January.