What is a Diversity Engagement Survey?
The University of Colorado Diversity Engagement Survey is an engagement survey for the entire University of Colorado community, including faculty, students, and staff at each of the campuses and the system administration office. It is a short, focused survey designed to assess diversity, inclusion, and equity across the University of Colorado and provide insight into where we can improve the university’s culture.
Why is this survey being given?
The University of Colorado’s Guiding Principles call upon the university to “promote faculty, student, and staff diversity to ensure the rich interchange of ideas in the pursuit of truth and learning, including diversity of political, geographic, cultural, intellectual, and philosophical perspectives.” To determine how well the university is implementing its commitments to diversity and inclusion, we need to seek the perspectives of the university community. Ultimately, the survey results will help us assess institutional culture and help us fulfill the Guiding Principle that the university will “provide an outstanding, respectful, and responsive living, learning, teaching and working environment.”
Who is administering the survey?
The university has engaged the University of Massachusetts, which developed the Diversity Engagement Survey, and DataStar, Inc., an independent survey management firm, to conduct the survey. The university engaged these partners to analyze the results independently and administer the survey anonymously. Together, the University of Massachusetts and DataStar have administered the survey at other academic institutions across the United States, which also allows them to provide data against which the university can benchmark its efforts.
Who is eligible to complete the survey?
The survey is open to all students, faculty, and staff of the University of Colorado.
When will the survey be available?
The survey will be administered through email beginning on October 28, and will remain open for three weeks.
Why is it important for me to participate in the survey?
The University of Colorado values the contributions and perspective of each of its students, faculty, and staff members, but needs information about their experiences. The survey will provide the University with a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the University’s practices and programs. It will help to identify challenges to diversity and inclusion, create opportunities for improvement, and raise awareness of diversity- and inclusion-related efforts in the University system.
Am I required to complete the survey?
No. Participation in the survey is voluntary, but the more students, faculty, and staff who provide feedback, the more it will help the university’s efforts to improve its culture. We need to understand what students, faculty, and staff across the university experience as they conduct their studies and their work.
Is the survey confidential?
Yes. The survey is completely confidential. All responses go directly to the third-party vendor and are reported to the University in aggregate form only. Survey reports will only be provided to authorized parties and no results will be reported to the university in a manner that would identify anyone based upon their responses.
Can my supervisor or professor see my survey responses?
No. The reports will not contain any information that would identify any individual.
How long will it take to complete the survey?
It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey.
What is the purpose of the demographic section?
The University of Colorado contains broad protections against nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. The demographic responses reach across these dimensions and will provide us with insight about the experiences of different members of our community. This information will then allow the university to best address the areas where we can improve our programs.
Can I skip any of the questions?
All questions are voluntary. You may opt out of answering any question you do not feel comfortable answering. Opting not to answer a question does not affect your ability to complete the rest of the survey.
How will the information collected from the survey be used?
After the university receives the survey results, it will broadly share the results with the university community. Diversity and inclusion are part of the system-wide strategic planning process, and this information will be valuable as that process occurs, but we also expect that the results will help each campus better understand its culture and identify opportunities to create better experiences for students, faculty, and staff.
What if I don’t have access to a computer at work?
The survey can be completed at any location with internet service, including a campus computer lab, a library, or at home.
What if I have a question about the survey?
You may direct questions to Effie Ameen, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Regents, at effie.ameen@cu.edu or 303-860-5669.