Division News & Statements

Campus climate survey planned, information sessions set

September 21, 2015

Posted on September 21, 2015

Students, faculty and staff members will be invited to participate in an anonymous campus climate survey in November, answering questions about what it's like to live, learn and work at Grand Valley.

The myGVSU Campus Climate Survey 2015 will have differences and similarities to the survey distributed in 2011, according to Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity.

Bernal said the 2015 survey will be shorter and participants should complete it in less than 20 minutes. "We are not adding any new questions, and we will take the open-ended questions out," he said.

The campus climate survey will be open from November 12-22. Three open forums will be held on campus to discuss the survey: September 23, from 1-2:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2204; September 24, noon-1:30 p.m., Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, room 119; September 29, noon-1:30 p.m., DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium.

There will be incentives offered, including tuition grants for students and professional development grants for faculty and staff members.

Information about the survey is online, click here.

Bernal said a climate survey should be administered at an institution every four or five years. Responses from the 2011 survey have informed policies and activities on campus, he said and cited affinity groups for faculty and staff members of color, gender inclusive housing and a religious inclusion policy as examples.

Results of the 2011 survey showed nearly 90 percent of students and 76 percent of faculty and staff members said they are comfortable with the overall climate in the classes and workplaces. Bernal said results also showed people of color and those who identify as LGBT experience a less than welcoming climate.

"That is consistent with national trends, but data said these populations at Grand Valley find the climate more inclusive and welcoming than the same populations at other institutions," he said. "Any negative experience deserves our attention. The 2015 survey will help us further identify areas for growth and improvement."

For More Information Contact: Michele Coffill in University Communications - (616) 331-2221

- See more at: https://www.gvsu.edu/gvnext/index.htm?articleId=60DAD9CD-EB59-4B68-7900D82503A81D9B#sthash.xzqQmiZH.dpuf

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Page last modified September 21, 2015