University creates campus climate survey to identify campus needs

The University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) has created a campus climate survey in order to identify areas of need in our campus community. The anonymous survey, which is voluntary, was emailed to all campus members on Feb. 3. It will be open until Friday, Feb. 28. 

“The Campus Climate Taskforce is looking forward to working with the campus community on ensuring that our campus is inclusive and meeting the needs of our community,” said Jerel Benton, former co-chair of the Taskforce and former director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)/Senior Diversity Officer at UWS in a statement from December. 

The results of the survey, which are being compiled by the Office of Institutional Research, will be presented to the campus sometime in late spring 2020. Following this presentation, the Campus Climate Taskforce, which is composed of a number of diverse university staff and faculty members, will release an accountability report in fall 2020 identifying actions that will be taken by the university. 

The campus climate survey was last administered at UWS during the 2016-17 school year. Results from the previous survey included the creation of the Director for EDI/Senior Diversity Officer position, the Campus Respect Statement, an anti-bullying policy, and the EDI Plan. 

“Any good assessment you want to do it every couple of years,” said Harry Anderson, Dean of Students and member of the Taskforce. Anderson said they wanted to see how some of the changes previously made have improved or changed the climate.  

“At UW-Superior, we seek to create an environment characterized by transparency, fairness, and equal access; that is inviting, supportive, and inclusive for all students, staff, and faculty,” reads the message at the start of the survey. 

Initially, the University of Wisconsin – System was set to administer a campus climate assessment system-wide. Based on the timing of the last campus assessment, the Taskforce did not want to miss an opportunity by waiting for someone else.  

“I want as many students as possible to complete this so we can get a good reflection of the climate on campus from the student perspective,” said Anderson. “It makes changes to help impact the climate in a positive way.” 

Students who participate will be entered to win one of eight $25 bookstore gift cards. For more information, an email account has been established at campusclimate@uwsuper.edu.