Review of 2010 Climate Student Survey and Recommendations

1. Review of 2010 Climate Student Survey and Recommendations College of Education Diversity Committee Spring 2013

2. Diversity Committee Activities • In the Fall 2012, the Diversity Committee decided to review data from a 2010 student survey in order to determine what issues of climate might have been identified. • As the semester progressed, Dr. Mendoza’s graduate students reviewed the open-ended items to make some qualitative sense of the entries. • In January, the graduate students presented their findings as part of the review process.

3. Survey Overview • In Fall 2010 the Diversity Committee conducted an online survey among graduate students using Likert-scale and open-ended questions focused on: • academic environment for students from diverse backgrounds • social climate • discrimination and/or harassment • relevant curriculum for a culturally diverse global society

4. Demographic Characteristics Respondents 8.7% of COE students. N = 165

5. Overview Responses Responses with more than 80% above 4 in a 5-point Likert-scale in level of agreement 1: Percentage of respondents indicating they Agree/Strongly Agree 2: Percentage of respondents indicating the item is Very Important/Critical

6. Overview Responses

7. Open-Ended Question Is there anything else you want us to know about the diversity climate in COE? Do you have any recommendations for specific training or programs about diversity? (53 responses) Students perceived incidents of discrimination and isolation based on race (#18), SES (#8), sexual orientation (#5), religious affiliation (#6), political views (# 2)

8. Open-Ended Question • Lack of diversity related topics/discussion in classes and in curriculum (#8) • Perception of homogeneity in the student body (White, upper middle class females) (#4) • Lack of opportunities to challenge students out of their comfort zones (#4) • Norman Hall not structurally friendly for students with disabilities (#4) • ProTeach cohorts too homogenous creating issues of grouping and exclusion (#3)

9. Open-Ended Question • Counselor Education cited as welcoming and inclusive (#2) • Comment on a student seeing international students being ill-treated by staff and hearing complaints about this issue from other international students (#1) • Stigma associated with teaching as a profession reserved for people who are not smart (#1) • COE Office of Recruitment, Retention, and Multicultural Affairs not visible for current students (#1) • Lack of diversity among faculty (#1)

10. 2012-13 Committee Recommendations These recommendations are based on experiences of the members of the committee and the data from the 2010 student survey.

11. Recommendations • Institute a COE orchestrated effort to improve diversity and climate at all levels aligned with the strategic plan • Leverage the Office of Recruitment, Retention, and Multicultural Affairs w/ additional resources to: • Expand recruiting efforts to strengthen recruiting of student minorities • Investigate the possibility of: • Enhancing retention programs • Developing a teaching resource center

12. Recommendations • Work with the Lectures, Seminars and Awards Committee to investigate the possibility of: • Recognizing exemplary programs and faculty • Conducting workshops/seminars • Building resources for faculty on ways to infuse diversity in their teaching/syllabus • Hosting intragroup dialogues and retreats • Funding programs and faculty scholarship geared towards diversity and multiculturalism

13. Recommendations Investigate the possibility of: • Improving physical access for students with disabilities • Improving physical spaces for social gatherings and study groups • Strengthening graduate orientation by providing information of resources on campus • Reviewing exit interviews to include climate items • Making the internal grievance process more visible

14. Thank you!