University of Louisville
PAE-7: Measuring Campus Diversity Culture

Biannual Campus Climate Surveys - on-line campus climate surveys are administered to the university community. The most recent survey for students focused on diversity and inclusion relative to student life and their experiences in the classroom. The employee survey included questions provided by the Great Places to Work Committee, the Part-Time Faculty initiative, and the Commission on the Status of Women in addition to questions related to diversity and inclusion. Commission on the Status of Women - In 1994, the Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) organized a report which presented the status of women in all employment categories and recommended changes to improve the climate for women and all UofL employees. In 2008-2009, COSW organized an update to the original 1994 report. The members of COSW analyzed and reviewed each of the objectives and recommendations to ascertain whether progress has been made towards outcomes for the identified goals. As part of the methodology for this review, the COSW conducted 10 focus groups and individual interviews with campus leaders. UofL policies, procedures, publications and programs were reviewed. Campus Safety Survey - In January 2010, the PEACC program (Prevention, Education and Advocacy on Campus and in the Community), conducted a confidential online survey to a random sample of participants to assess campus violence experiences and perceptions at UofL. In addition, the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs hosts periodic meetings (formally and informally) with students, faculty and staff from under-represented groups to get their opinions and discuss issues or concerns related to diversity, inclusion and campus climate.

The Vice Provost for Diversity, in collaboration with the chairs of the commissions, recommend and advise the administration regarding changes to better serve the needs of students, faculty and staff. As a result, changes have been made to improve the campus culture, such as: • Domestic partner benefits – the University of Louisville was the first state-supported university in Kentucky to adopt domestic partner benefits to qualifying adults. • Gender-Neutral restrooms – several restrooms on campus were converted to gender-neutral restrooms in response to the need to be sensitive to members of the campus community who are gender non-conforming or transgender. In addition, gender-neutral restrooms will be a part of all new campus constructions. • Cultural Center – a Cultural Center was developed to facilitate and enhance cultural programming and education to the campus community. • Hispanic/Latino initiative – an initiative designed to empower Hispanic/Latino(a)s to earn a college degree at the University of Louisville and create an environment in which they can enrich their lives and the community. The Commission on the Status of Women made recommendations regarding representation, recruitment, retention, campus environment and integration of work and family life for women. The results of the Campus Safety Survey will provide important information to enable UofL to create programming and improve safety services to students, staff and faculty.