American University
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment organizes major campus survey results by race and ethnicity to help campus decision makers better understand the student experience and inform university planning. Some of these surveys are administered annually and some biannually. Additionally, specific questions about diversity and inclusiveness are asked on our Campus Climate Survey administered to all students every other spring. AU's major surveys and administration schedule: Freshmen Survey - each fall to freshmen Campus Climate Survey - every other spring to all students Graduation Census - each fall and spring to Undergrad and Grad students completing their degrees (excluding law students) National Survey of Student Engagement - every other spring to freshmen and seniors Highlights from the last Campus Climate Survey in Spring 2015 include: Seventy-three percent of undergraduate students most often say staff show appropriate levels of concern and respect when they have a problem and sixty-seven percent agree that staff work with them diligently to resolve their problems. Graduate students most often say staff show appropriate levels of concern and respect when they have a problem (85%) but fewer agree that they know where to go to resolve their problems (68%). Undergraduate students agree that their views and perspective are treated respectfully by other students (81%). Seventy-nine percent of undergraduates agree that their courses present diverse views and perspectives, and seventy-one percent agree that AU actively encourages a commitment to creating a campus community where everyone has a sense of belonging. Graduate students agree that their views and perspective are treated respectfully by other students (95%). Eighty-seven percent agree that their courses present perspectives sensitive to issues of diversity. Furthermore, graduate students find that AU actively encourages an interest in other cultures and global issues (97%), and a respect for diverse views and perspectives (91%).

The institution measures degrees completed by race and gender and retention rates for freshman and transfers by race and gender. This information is used as needed for analysis and benchmarking against peers. Additionally, the office of institutional research and assessment creates weekly retention reports by race and Pell status and by underrepresented minority status. This information is used to monitor student progress and take steps to address issues as they are identified in real time.

An annual analysis is conducted by broad job group (ie professionals, supervisors, support staff, technical staff, etc.) and covers gender, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.