Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.92
Liaison Caitlin Steele
Submission Date June 8, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

San Francisco State University
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Nick Kordesch
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:

SF State's newly formed Division of Equity & Community Inclusion is currently conducting a comprehensive campus climate survey. The Campus Climate Assessment Project kicked off February 5, 2018 with Susan
Rankin & Associates Consulting as a project facilitator. This started an 18-month long self-study using both quantitative
and qualitative methodologies. The Project will help serve as a needs assessment effort to guide priority setting for the new Division of Equity & Community Inclusion. https://vpsaem.sfsu.edu/campus_climate

In September 2017, President Leslie E. Wong appointed a Task Force on Campus Climate to examine the challenges and opportunities related to campus climate at SF State. The Task Force was comprised of students, staff, faculty and community representatives.

SF State's Office of Academic Institutional Research conducts an annual survey to create a Common Data Set. The common data set includes comprehensive information on ethnicity and diversity.

SF State also conducts an in depth-diversity assessment as part of it's Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation. The 2013 WASC review team described SF State as "the gold standard in its commitment to diversity as an intellectual, and talent resource" and noted the University's renown for incorporating social justice and civic engagement into all aspects of campus life. http://air.sfsu.edu/accreditation/institutional

External metrics frequently show that SF State is among the most diverse campuses in the nation. SF State was rated first in diversity among the largest 100 universities in a July 2016 study by Priceonomics. The ranking used the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a calculation that measures diversity in a variety of settings, and five different racial groups.

CAMPUS CLIMATE ASSESSMENTS: During the 2014 – 2015 academic year, SF State participated in two surveys, the America College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA‐NCHA) and the Educational Advisory Board’s (EAB) pilot Climate Survey, with the intent of establishing a benchmark regarding the campus climate in relation to sexual violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  Through these surveys, we anticipated gaining a better understanding of the prevalence and attitudes toward discrimination based on sex or gender on campus, particularly among students, using the data gathered to help us create effective policies and programming for our campus, and projecting and adequately providing on‐campus resources. http://titleix.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/2014-15AnnualReport.pdf


Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of faculty, staff, administrators and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success (e.g. graduation/success and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity (e.g. pay and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
Yes

A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs and initiatives:

The diversity assessment data has been used to inform SF State's Strategic Planning initiative. The strategic plan contains goals to establish additional diversity-supporting programs across the university. A sample of inclusion in the Strategic Plan is in the "Equity" pillar. SF State’s distinctive identity is founded on our commitment to equity. The principles of fairness and inclusion guide our educational mission, our institutional practices and our relations with the community around us. Our commitment to equity fosters an environment of respect, diversity, support and dignity for all of our members--faculty, staff, and students. A commitment to equity:
sees educational access and academic quality as reciprocal goals;
affirms that resources are distributed according to need;
empowers students who make the world a better place; and
eliminates barriers to success.

Diversity and demographic data is also used to plan outreach programs, co-curricular activities, housing options, staffing, and recruitment and retention programs.

The WASC accreditation process includes an assesment of campus attitudes perceptions, and behaviors around diversity in Appendix N, NSSE Student Perception of Diversity Issues.


Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
Yes

A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:

The results of the Common Data Set, including diversity data, are announced in the Campus Memo newsletter and posted publicly on the SF State website and reported to various external higher education organizations.


Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
Yes

The diversity and equity assessment report or summary:
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The website URL where the report or summary is publicly posted:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Data sources: Office of Institutional Research, Eva Allen


Data sources: Office of Institutional Research, Eva Allen

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.