Review of 2010 Climate Student Survey and Recommendations College of Education Diversity Committee Spring 2013
Dec 24, 2015
Review of 2010 Climate Student Survey and Recommendations
College of Education Diversity CommitteeSpring 2013
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.
Diversity Committee Activities
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
Survey Overview
Survey COE UF
Female 88% 86% 54%
White 67% 69% 58%
Black 10% 7% 8%
Hispanic/Latino 15% 13% 14%
Asian 9% 3% 8%
International 7% 4% 8%
Graduate 71% 69% 33%
Demographic Characteristics
Respondents 8.7% of COE students. N = 165
Overview Responses
Item Agreement1 Importance2
Faculty, staff, and administrators at the College make themselves readily available to students who need advice and help. 84 95
The social climate of the College is welcoming and comfortable for female students.
88 80
Respect and dignity of all persons is included in the curriculum. 81 86
Introducing differing perspectives based on diversity into the classroom is valuable. 95 88
1: Percentage of respondents indicating they Agree/Strongly Agree2: Percentage of respondents indicating the item is Very Important/Critical
Responses with more than 80% above 4 in a 5-point Likert-scale in level of agreement
Overview Responses
Item Agreement1 Importance2
The academic environment in our College fosters academic success of all student groups, including students from diverse backgrounds.
75 78
The environment in the College supports students from diverse backgrounds in the student body and aims to enhance their quality of life.
62 66
The social climate of the College is welcoming and comfortable for all students, including students of color.
67 75
There is a strong sense of community in the College that includes all student groups, including students of color.
57 70
Discrimination and/or harassment of students based on race and/or ethnicity are not a problem in our College.
69 89
Discrimination and/or harassment of students based on gender are not a problem in our College. 73 73
Discrimination and/or harassment of students based on religious affiliation are not a problem in our College.
68 77
Discrimination and/or harassment of students based on sexual orientation are not a problem in our College.
66 73
The social climate of the College is welcoming and comfortable for male students. 59 68
The social climate of the College is welcoming and comfortable for students with disabilities. 53 70
The social climate of the College is welcoming and comfortable for international students. 63 67
Students are exposed to a curriculum that prepares them for experiences in a culturally diverse global society.
70 86
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)
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)
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)
Open-Ended Question
2012-13 Committee
Recommendations
These recommendations are based on experiences of the members of the
committee and the data from the 2010 student survey.
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
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
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
Recommendations
Thank you!