Title: Georgetown Launches First Cultural Climate Survey of Student Perceptions
The university has launched a first-of-its-kind cultural climate survey designed to gain insight into students’ perceptions of their environments on campus.
The survey, whose motto is “Be Heard,” will explore how students meaningfully engage their communities around issues of diversity, perceptions of institutional diversity, representation of marginalized groups and experiences within the cultural climate on campus.
It also will look at perspectives on how well faculty engage culturally relevant and responsive practices in the classroom.
Sense of Belonging
“We are very pleased to launch this comprehensive climate survey to help us determine the degree to which students feel a sense of belonging at Georgetown,” says Rosemary Kilkenny (L’87), vice president, diversity, equity, inclusion and chief diversity officer. “The goal of the survey is to help the university identify areas where we are doing well, as well as areas of concern.”
Open to all students on the Main, Medical Center and Georgetown Law campuses, the survey is administered electronically by Georgetown’s Office of Assessment and Decision Support (OADS) in partnership with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action (IDEAA).
Students received a personalized invitation from President John J. DeGioia on Monday, Feb. 24, to participate in the survey, which will be open through April 24.
Results of the survey are expected to be released in fall 2020, with the data used to help inform how Georgetown can enhance or build meaningful programs and support systems to ensure an inclusive education.
Communication Channel
The survey is based on an instrument created by the National Institute of Transformation and Equity at the University of Indiana Bloomington.
Georgetown students served on a working group that reviewed the instrument and offered suggestions on effective means of informing the community about the survey.
University leaders also met with students from all three campuses to hear their feedback on the instrument and learn how to best promote student participation.
“The administration has been working with us to ensure that the survey accurately captures the Georgetown experience,” says Daniella Sanchez (C’22), who served on the working group. “The cultural climate survey is a channel of communication for students to address their story with the administration, which is open and ready to listen.”
Reflecting Diversity
“The survey aims to paint the whole picture which will allow student advocates and the administration to take specific actions on the issues,” Sanchez adds.
Students are asked to reflect on their experiences across various dimensions, including race, ethnicity, faith, sexuality, ability, gender and other backgrounds.
“We want our results to reflect the diversity and breadth of students and student experiences at Georgetown,” says Kilkenny. “All students’ voices are most welcomed because of their contribution to the campus climate and environment.”