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Campus Climate for Students and Faculty

Students

Fall 2001 marked the first administration of the CU-Boulder campus climate survey of students. In the past, a community survey was administered every four years to assess the campus climate. Community survey results are available for 1994 and 1998. The community survey differs from the present climate survey in that it focused primarily on ethnicity/race, whereas the climate survey also focused on the status of the campus environment as it pertains to gender, disability status, sexual preference, citizenship, and religious preference.

Relevant highlights from the Fall 2001 climate survey results can be found in the section on "climate at a glance," and in the sections providing results by ethnic/racial groups for graduate students and undergraduates, entitled "ethnicity - undergraduate" and "ethnicity - grad only". The climate survey is currently on a four-year schedule, with the next administration occurring in fall 2006.

In the most recent student climate survey (2001), 85% of all students indicate that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their experience at UCB. There was no significant difference between the responses of students of color and the majority population. Almost all students (of all racial/ethnic backgrounds) indicated that interacting with students like themselves had a positive impact on their life at the university

Derogatory remarks made by faculty about various ethnic group members are rare. Unfortunately, such remarks from students are less rare. One in five undergraduates report "often" or "constantly" hearing other students make disparaging comments targeted at the gay community or hearing negative remarks targeted at people with strong religious beliefs. Far fewer graduate students report hearing such remarks from their fellow students.

Of those responding to the 2001 climate survey, White, Native- American, Hispanic and Asian students report generally similar perceptions of the CU-Boulder campus climate. While overall satisfaction among African-American students who responded was high and they generally feel accepted, welcome and supported on campus, their ratings are somewhat lower than those of other ethnic groups.

African American students also perceive less favorable conditions in the larger Boulder community, when compared to other ethnic groups. They report lower levels of comfort in several community settings, most notably "hanging out on the Hill" and looking for a place to rent in Boulder. Further, they rate the Boulder community lowest in valuing diversity - below that of students, faculty, staff and administration.

Faculty

Spring 2005 was the first administration of a climate survey for faculty. A brief description of methods has been posted, with links to a copy of the web-based questionnaire, and to a copy of the provost's memo, summarizing and endorsing the survey effort. The Office of Diversity and Equity will continue to work with the principal investigator of the survey in coordinating future assessment and development activities with departments.

Last revision 02/06/06