President's Commission for Diversity
Climate Survey Summary of Findings
In 2005, President Michael Nietzel appointed the first President’s Commission on Diversity, charged with helping the University develop a blueprint to address significant and substantial progress on the institutional goals. To obtain a baseline understanding of attitudes regarding the climate toward diversity on our campus, the initial Commission developed an online climate survey, intended to be part of a larger narrative with data yet to be obtained from focus groups and follow-up dialogues.
The survey, available to all administrators, faculty, staff, and students, was administered in the Fall of 2007. The 1873 respondents included 16.1% staff, 25.1% faculty, and 57.3% undergraduate students. Identity groups: 87.2% identify as White non-Hispanic, 5.2% Domestic Minority (2.2% African American, 2.1% Hispanic, and .9% Native American), and 1.4% International. Sex: 64.7% female and 35.2% male. Age of the respondents ranged from 17.1% at 19 or younger, 56.8% were 20-39, and 25.1% were 40 and older. The following is an initial analysis of the results:
- In the general climate survey items, a majority of respondents perceive the campus as friendly and relaxed, though not inclusive. Both domestic minority and non-minority respondents do not affirm the campus as tolerant or inclusive.
- The disability items were affirmed by those with and without disabilities, with numbers generally higher than other categories of climate focus. This may be a reflection of the efforts on the Missouri State University campus toward disability awareness and responsiveness. The area least affirmed was opportunity to participate in campus activities.
- While a strong percentage of respondents affirm that programs are available for the campus community to learn about other cultures, anecdotal data suggest that there is low participation, particularly by non-minority administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Nearly half of the survey respondents feel that a course in diversity should be required for graduation, with a small percentage affirming that courses are regularly taught from a culturally diverse perspective.
- There was a strong affirmation for the campus promoting respect for equity and diversity; however a significant percentage does not believe that this commitment is effectively communicated. A significantly higher percentage of domestic minority respondents feel that they need to minimize characteristics of their culture in order to “fit it” than do non-minority respondents.
- There is an ongoing challenge in the area of recruitment and retention, with a strong affirmation of need for these areas to be prioritized at the University. Domestic minority and International respondents feel this should be a priority at Missouri State, while a majority of non-minority respondents do not affirm this priority.
Columns indicate the percentage of respondents who indicated “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” for the item. Percentages in bold indicate the lowest affirming percentage among all groups.
General Climate
|
|
|
Percent Affirming | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus Total % Affirm | White, non-Hispanic | Domestic Minority | Internat’l | With Disabilities | Without Disabilities | Undergrad | Faculty, Staff, & Admin. |
|
The Missouri State campus is friendly. |
84.0% |
84.4% |
79.1% |
88.5% |
79.5% |
84.2% |
84.0% |
83.8% |
|
The Missouri State campus is relaxed |
81.2% |
81.7% |
75.9% |
76.9% |
75.6% |
81.4% |
87.0% |
72.6% |
|
The Missouri State campus is respectful. |
76.2% |
77.0% |
69.6% |
69.2% |
62.8% |
76.8% |
80.5% |
69.8% |
|
The Missouri State campus is supportive. |
71.9% |
72.8% |
62.0% |
76.9% |
70.1% |
71.9% |
75.2% |
67.4% |
|
The Missouri State campus is cooperative. |
71.7% |
72.1% |
66.9% |
73.1% |
60.3% |
72.2% |
74.4% |
68.7% |
|
The Missouri State campus is tolerant. |
62.8% |
64.0% |
50.6% |
61.5% |
55.1% |
63.1% |
66.7% |
58.2% |
|
The Missouri State campus is inclusive. |
57.8% |
58.7% |
46.5% |
69.2% |
51.3% |
58.1% |
59.3% |
56.2% |
- For four of the seven climate items (The Missouri State campus is. . .friendly, supportive, tolerant, inclusive), Domestic Minority respondents had the lowest affirming percentage, which ranged from 5-14 points below the total campus population.
- 57.8% of Missouri State respondents affirmed that the campus is inclusive, with only 46.5% of Domestic Minority respondents affirming inclusiveness.
- Compared to all respondents, those with disabilities had the lowest affirming percentage (by 10 points) for the following two items (Missouri State campus is cooperative, respectful)
- International respondents report higher than the total campus population affirming percentages for four of the seven climate items (The Missouri State campus is. . .friendly, supportive, cooperative, inclusive).
Disability Climate
|
|
|
Percent Affirming | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus Total % Affirm | White, non-Hispanic | Domestic Minority | Internat’l | With Disabilities | Without Disabilities | Undergrad | Faculty, Staff, & Admin. |
|
Missouri State faculty, staff, administrators and students are respectful to people with disabilities. |
85.3% |
86.2% |
75.2% |
92.3% |
79.5% |
85.6% |
85.2% |
85.9% |
|
The campus is accessible to individuals with disabilities. |
74.0% |
73.9% |
72.2% |
92.3% |
62.8% |
74.5% |
76.5% |
70.6% |
|
Faculty, staff, administrators, and students are comfortable engaging in conversation and university activities with persons with disabilities. |
73.8% |
75.2% |
58.9% |
73.1% |
61.0% |
74.3% |
73.9% |
74.1% |
|
People with disabilities are given opportunities to participate in campus activities. |
67.1% |
68.0% |
57.3% |
73.1% |
69.2% |
67.0% |
66.3% |
68.5% |
- Affirming percentages for respondents with disabilities ranged from 61.0% to 79.5% for these items, compared to a range in the campus total population of 67.1% to 85.3%.
- Respondents with disabilities report 10 percent fewer affirmative responses on two items (Campus is accessible, and Comfort in engaging in conversation and activities with persons with disabilities.)
Curriculum Implications
|
|
|
Percent Affirming | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus Total % Affirm | White, non-Hispanic | Domestic Minority | Internat’l | With Disabilities | Without Disabilities | Undergrad | Faculty, Staff, & Admin. |
|
Programs are available for faculty, staff, administrators and students to learn about other cultures. |
74.2% |
75.5% |
62.7% |
57.7% |
74.4% |
74.1% |
75.0% |
72.9% |
|
Students receive the support services necessary to help them succeed. |
73.2% |
74.1% |
63.3% |
76.9% |
66.7% |
73.5% |
77.9% |
66.6% |
|
Courses on race, culture, ethnicity, and other issues of diversity are regularly offered. |
48.5% |
49.5% |
41.1% |
30.8% |
44.9% |
48.6% |
55.5% |
38.8% |
|
Materials used in classes at Missouri State are drawn from a culturally diverse body of literature. |
48.1% |
49.3% |
36.7% |
42.3% |
41.0% |
48.3% |
53.7% |
39.6% |
|
Missouri State students should be required to take at least one course on diversity as a requirement for graduation. |
47.2% |
45.0% |
65.8% |
73.1% |
59.0% |
46.8% |
43.7% |
51.5% |
|
Courses are regularly taught from a culturally diverse perspective. |
43.0% |
44.3% |
29.1% |
42.3% |
38.5% |
43.1% |
49.4% |
33.7% |
- 74.2% of the campus respondents affirm the item Programs are available for faculty,staff, administrators and students to learn about other cultures.
- Only 43.0% of all respondents affirmed that courses are regularly taught from a culturally diverse perspective.
- Less than one third (29.1%) of Domestic Minority respondents believed that courses are regularly taught from a culturally diverse perspective.
- Roughly only one third (33.7%) of faculty, staff & administrators believed courses are regularly taught from a culturally diverse perspective.
- 47.2% of all respondents affirmed that Missouri State students should be required to take at least one course on diversity as a requirement for graduation.
- 65.8% of Domestic Minority respondents and 73.1% of International respondents affirmed that at least one course on diversity should be made a graduation requirement. There was a 20% difference between White, non-Hispanic respondents and Domestic Minority respondents and nearly a 30% difference between White, non-Hispanic respondents and International respondents to this item.
Administrative Policy
|
|
|
Percent Affirming | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus Total % Affirm | White, non-Hispanic | Domestic Minority | Internat’l | With Disabilities | Without Disabilities | Undergrad | Faculty, Staff, & Admin. |
|
Missouri State promotes respect for equity and diversity. |
79.5% |
81.3% |
64.1% |
65.4% |
66.7% |
80.1% |
82.5% |
75.8% |
|
Clubs, organizations and activities reflect an appreciation for different groups of people. |
74.4% |
74.8% |
69.4% |
76.9% |
62.3% |
74.9% |
80.0% |
66.5% |
|
On-campus events reflect diversity. |
70.6% |
72.2% |
55.7% |
61.5% |
64.1% |
70.9% |
72.9% |
67.4% |
|
Missouri State provides programs and activities that promote an understanding of diversity. |
69.1% |
70.6% |
55.1% |
65.4% |
65.4% |
69.3% |
71.5% |
65.8% |
|
Missouri State’s commitment to diversity is effectively communicated to administrators and students. |
65.7% |
67.9% |
44.9% |
57.7% |
55.1% |
66.2% |
67.0% |
64.3% |
|
Missouri State provides specialized programs to ensure the success of culturally diverse staff, administrators and students. |
53.7% |
55.1% |
39.5% |
50.0% |
44.9% |
54.1% |
57.1% |
49.2% |
|
At Missouri State, I feel I need to minimize various characteristics of my racial/ethnic culture to be able to “fit in.” |
8.8% |
6.5% |
28.0% |
38.5% |
16.7% |
8.5% |
7.9% |
10.3% |
- While 79.5% of total responses affirmed Missouri State promotes respect for equity and diversity, less than half of Domestic Minority respondents (44.9%) affirmed that Missouri State’s commitment to diversity is effectively communicated to administrators and students.
- Only 39.5% of Domestic Minority respondents affirmed that Missouri State provides specialized programs to ensure the success of culturally diverse staff, administrators and students, while approximately half of the total respondents (53.7%) affirmed this statement.
- Four times as many Domestic Minority respondents (28.0%) affirmed they need to minimize characteristics and nearly six times as many International respondents (38.5%) affirmed they need to minimize various characteristics of their racial/ethnic cultures in order to “fit in”, when compared to 6.5% of White, non-Hispanic respondents who affirm this statement.
Recruitment & Retention
|
|
|
Percent Affirming | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Campus Total % Affirm | White, non-Hispanic | Domestic Minority | Internat’l | With Disabilities | Without Disabilities | Undergrad | Faculty, Staff, & Admin. |
|
Recruitment and retention of students from under-represented groups should be one of the priorities at Missouri State. |
45.1% |
41.8% |
72.0% |
84.6% |
56.4% |
44.6% |
39.3% |
52.6% |
|
Recruitment and retention of faculty and staff from under-represented groups should be a priority at Missouri State. |
45.0% |
41.7% |
73.1% |
80.8% |
59.0% |
44.4% |
39.5% |
52.1% |
- Less than half of all respondents agreed that recruitment and retention of students (45.1%) & faculty (45.0%) from under-represented groups should be one of the priorities at Missouri State University. This trend is consistent with the responses of White, non Hispanic respondents.
- 72.0% (73.1%) of Domestic Minority respondents and 84.6% (80.8%) of International respondents agree or strongly agree that recruitment and retention of students (and faculty) from under-represented groups should be prioritized.