Washington University in St. Louis
PAE-7: Measuring Campus Diversity Culture

A faculty climate survey is conducted every 4 or 5 years, to assess all aspects of faculty worklife: satisfaction with workload and responsibilities, support for teaching and research, climate within the department or unit, consideration for child care or other personal responsibilities and sources of stress, both work-related and personal. Faculty surveys were conducted in the fall of 2006 and again in spring of 2011. In addition to faculty climate surveys, we do annual surveys of undergraduate students and exiting doctoral students. Each of the student surveys contain questions about the climate and support for underrepresented students on campus.

Analysis of the faculty survey results are presented to University Counsel comprised of the chancellor, provost, deans and top leadership of the university. These reports systematically seek to understand differences by gender and ethnicity and to specifically assess whether under-represented groups feel welcome and well supported. Reports are also given to the Faculty Senate and to the deans of individual schools. Faculty committees with focus on issues of diversity, mentoring and leadership development have received ad hoc analyses that address areas of particular relevance. Reports are also available on university web sites for the entire university community. The process of periodic faculty surveys has been well received. We have response rates of 60% and higher, considered very strong for faculty surveys. Survey findings have helped open up conversations about diversity issues on campus and inform those conversations on an ongoing basis. Student survey results help advisors and informs student activities leadership.

The above website provides a report of Faculty Survey Highlights presented to University Council , April 2008. This same website contains Gender Pay Equity reports from 2002 and 2010.