The University of Denver, under the leadership of the Center for Multicultural Excellence, is conducting an inclusive excellence assessment.
The survey is designed to gather baseline data about the campus climate surrounding issues of diversity, inclusion and equity on campus. Inclusive excellence is the recognition that a community or institution’s success is dependent on how well it values, engages and includes the rich diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumni constituents — and all the valuable social dimensions they bring to the campus.
“Last year DU released its inclusive excellence strategic plan,” says Johanna Leyba, assistant provost for inclusive excellence. “In order to implement that plan, we need to gather baseline data on our campus climate. This is an attempt at getting the pulse on this topic.”
All faculty, staff and undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to take the short survey, which will be open through Feb. 29.
Responses are confidential and anonymous. Demographic information and responses will be combined and presented at the largest possible divisional level to protect individuals’ identities. Individual responses will never be identified.
Upon completion of the survey, respondents will have the opportunity to enter their name in a drawing for an iPod, Kindle, 10-visit punch card to the Ritchie Center, $50 gift card to Beans or a basket of DU gear.
Leyba hopes that a report on the survey data will be ready to present at DU’s annual Diversity Summit on May 4. The report also will be released campus-wide, and divisions will be provided with their data to help them in their inclusive excellence implementation efforts. The survey will be repeated in several years.
The assessment replaces the campus climate survey that was last conducted in 2005.