Climate surveys have been a discussion item at the past several SEDAN meetings; I would like to voice support for a system-wide climate survey.
At the 02.25.09 meeting, climate surveys were discussed in the context of individual units creating their own surveys and administering them. Apparently, several units have already begun or finished this work. It is important to recognize the spirit of these surveys as it illustrates the dedication these units have to at least thinking about diversity. However, even realizing that some units are ahead of us, I believe that a system-wide survey is needed to provide for both the best question content and evaluation of date.
1. Question Content: As co-chair of the System-wide standing committee on GLBTA concerns, allow me to speak on behalf of that committee. We discussed climate surveys at our 02.20.09 meeting; the discussion clearly stressed the need for the survey to asses the climate for the entire GLBTA population, including those in the entire spectrum of gender identify. Some individual units may be able to craft a quality survey to suit the needs of the Gay and Lesbian populations, however, we feel that no unit can successfully accommodate the type of data which the Transgender population would like to convey to the university. Simply put, we are afraid that if individual units create the surveys we will be left out.
2. Data Analysis: Only a system-wide initiative can assure us that the correct people are able to access and analyze the data. All on SEDAN recognize that being concerned about diversity and being able to act on that concern are two different things. A quality survey must provide data that is analyzed by the people who have the ability to act and create change.
The purpose for doing a survey is to discover where we are and how best to get where we need to be. A system-wide initiative is the best approach to ensure that quality questions are asked and successful analysis occurs in order to create change.