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Diversity Engagement Survey

As part of continuing efforts to address race and diversity, the University conducted a Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) in Spring 2016. This confidential online survey, administered by Datastar, assessed the inclusiveness of our environment and define areas of strengths and opportunities for change. The survey was available February 16 through March 23, 2016.

View the Executive Summary.

Twelve thousand and eighty (12,080) University of Rochester faculty, staff, trainees, and students completed the survey, representing an overall response rate of 48 percent. The DES results have now been analyzed and the comprehensive report aims to share the findings in relation to understanding how faculty, staff, students, and trainees perceive the state of diversity and how these perceptions may differ between demographic groups.

There will be further analysis at the school and unit level, and the data will be utilized as a baseline and will inform the work of the Presidential Diversity Council (PDC). The PDC reviewed these findings in a meeting January 24, 2017, and found that they are consistent with recommendations of the Commission on Race and Diversity. The PDC will integrate the survey findings into their work as they move forward with implementing the recommendations from the Commission on Race and Diversity’s Final Report.

View the Comprehensive Report.

 

The Goal

The goal of the survey was to gather information to help University leadership know what is important to faculty, staff, trainees, and students and to ultimately improve the place where they work, learn, and care for people. The results will also be used to attract and retain talent.

Who was surveyed?

Faculty, staff, trainees, and students in the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the School of Nursing and Eastman Institute of Oral Health, the Warner School of Education, and the Simon School of Business were invited to take the Diversity Engagement Survey. The survey also included faculty and staff in Central administration, Arts, Sciences, and Engineering and the Eastman School of music. A separate survey assessing diversity engagement among our students in Arts, Sciences and Engineering and in the Eastman School of Music was underway as part of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity. By administering both surveys, for the first time ever all employees, faculty, trainees and students were able to share their views on the climate of diversity and inclusiveness on University campuses.

RESPONDENTSDEMOGRAPHICS
Central Admin and MAG1,074Men30.1%
Arts & Sciences819Women66.8%
Hajim School of Engineering321White73.8%
Eastman School of Music169Black8.8%
Simon School of Business302Hispanic3.1%
Warner School of Education219Asian5.8%
School of Medicine and Dentistry2,373Other and 2+ Races5.3%
EIOH, Health Sciences, and MFPG1,422Unknown Race/Ethnicity3.2%
Strong Memorial Hospital5,169Hetero/cisgender83.2%
School of Nursing212LGBT6.3%
Total (48% Response)12,080

Leadership

This initiative is led by the University’s Office of Faculty Development and Diversity, the Office of Human Resources, and the Office for Inclusion and Culture Development in the Medical Center. The co-chairs of this initiative include Dr. Linda Chaudron, Associate Vice President and Senior Associate Dean for Inclusion and Culture; Tony Kinslow, Associate Vice President for Human Resources; and Dr. Vivian Lewis, Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity.

Contact

Direct questions or comments to Maggie Cousin.