Elon University
PAE-7: Measuring Campus Diversity Culture

Elon University is committed to creating a pluralistic and inclusive environment for every member of the campus community. We seek to cultivate a campus climate that fosters the inclusion and engagement of everyone, regardless of individual differences in order to achieve the highest level of academic excellence. Elon University’s Office of Institutional Research assists with institutional surveying efforts. The following are annually administered surveys which address diversity and equity in several questions. The Freshmen Survey is a national survey administered to first-year students each Fall. Your First College Year is a national survey administered to first-year students each Spring. The National Survey of Student Engagement is a national survey administered to first-year students and seniors each Spring. The Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) Faculty Survey is administered every third year. In addition, the Elon University Multicultural Center regularly seeks feedback from students. For example, they administered a survey focusing on diverse experiences and perceptions of undergraduate students in Spring 2011. The Elon University Diversity Council conducted student focus groups and administered a student survey in Fall 2011 concentrating on the University’s campus climate as related to diversity and plans to address faculty/staff within this academic year (2011-12).

For institutional surveys, results are analyzed and aggregated by the Office of Institutional Research and are shared with Senior Staff where the information springboards further conversation, research and action. Additional University committees and departments review the data and generate their own localized action plans. New positions have been created as a result of triangulating such data. A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Office and Coordinator are dedicated to serving the entire Elon community and to developing initiatives to further enhance Elon’s commitment to diversity. The Assistant Director of Human Resources for Employee Relations will support the mission and the long range plan of the University through the development and implementation of programs that promote and sustain the University’s commitment to diversity among its students, faculty and staff. Results from the aforementioned Multicultural Center survey were used to aid in a retention analysis and helped shape classroom practices and programs.