University of Massachusetts Amherst
PA-6: Assessing Diversity and Equity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
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1.00 / 1.00 |
Ezra
Small Sustainability Manager Physical Plant |
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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:
Every four years, UMass Amherst conducts a Campus Climate Survey (CCS)to help the university better understand the challenges of creating a respectful and inclusive campus environment. The confidential online survey was administered primarily from November 3rd to 29th of 2021 via Qualtrics. Efforts to maximize survey participation included a “prenotice” email; five reminder emails (to non-participants only); Moodle availability of students’ individualized survey links; a robust advertising campaign led by University Relations that featured video communications, posters, banners, electronic displays; paper versions translated into nine languages; optimization of question formats to enable participants to take the survey on their phone.
Reports released to the campus include survey data on:
• Classroom climate for students and instructors
• Perceptions of the campus climate
• Feelings of connection and friendships
• Sense of belonging
• Workplace climate (to be released February 2023)
• Negative remarks and unfair treatment (to be released spring 2023)
• Help-seeking and work impact (to be released spring 2023)
• Learning outcomes and suggestions for change (to be released spring 2023)
Reports released to the campus include survey data on:
• Classroom climate for students and instructors
• Perceptions of the campus climate
• Feelings of connection and friendships
• Sense of belonging
• Workplace climate (to be released February 2023)
• Negative remarks and unfair treatment (to be released spring 2023)
• Help-seeking and work impact (to be released spring 2023)
• Learning outcomes and suggestions for change (to be released spring 2023)
Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of employees and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Yes
Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success?:
Yes
Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity?:
Yes
A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs, and initiatives:
The CCS achieved robust response rates for three of the four target populations: undergraduates (42%), graduate students (39%), and faculty (49%). The volume of data gathered is extremely robust and deep, and the reports generated will be used in developing key performance indicators for DEI, strategic planning to address DEI concerns in individual academic and executive areas, developing measurements for DEI effectiveness, focus groups to discuss areas and ideas for improvement, and DEI reports for academic and executive units.
Additional actions included strategic initiatives and events that center “belonging” on campus as results showed a weaker sense of belonging for underrepresented students. Additionally, a campus wide-campaign centering fostering a culture of belonging was launched in fall 2022.
www.umass.edu/diversity/campus-climate-survey-results
Additional actions included strategic initiatives and events that center “belonging” on campus as results showed a weaker sense of belonging for underrepresented students. Additionally, a campus wide-campaign centering fostering a culture of belonging was launched in fall 2022.
www.umass.edu/diversity/campus-climate-survey-results
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:
Results are available on the Campus Climate website and through an ongoing email communications campaign to the entire campus as each new report is released.
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 (upload):
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Website URL where the diversity and equity assessment report or summary is publicly posted:
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.