Wayne State University strives to create an inclusive environment where equity, diversity and accessibility are valued broadly and every person has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Welcoming and inclusive campus culture and climate are grounded in mutual respect, nurtured by dialogue, evidenced by a pattern of constructive interaction, and are components of the foundation of our educational model. 

We appreciate the ability of each person to contribute to our diversity of thought. In this, we recognize the importance of: 

• Recruiting and retaining students, faculty and staff from diverse underrepresented groups
• Recognizing and celebrating the university's many diverse populations (e.g., racial, ethnic, gender, LGBTQAI+, people with disabilities, international and military members and veterans)
• Promoting cultural awareness and understanding through continuous education opportunities and dialogue
• Sharing our experiences with the university and wider community

Assessing WSU's culture and climate regarding how well our institution values all of its members provides a unique opportunity to think critically about how we can leverage the knowledge we have gained as we continue to create and maintain an environment that respects individual needs, abilities and potential. Such ongoing study is key to our continuing improvement as a premier, public urban research university.

Our first campus culture and climate survey launched in January 2018, in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Survey Research Laboratory. The data analysis occurred in Fall 2018 with reports shared with the campus Winter 2019. 

Since the last survey, Wayne State has focused on continuing to develop an inclusive culture and climate with several campus-wide initiatives including the Social Justice Action Committee (2020); the creation of the university-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (launched August 2021);  the anti-bullying taskforce and creation of an anti-bullying statement; and grant-making efforts that have allowed us to focus on faculty retention and balancing workloads.

 With a new strategic plan, “Our Moment in Time” (2022-2027), new leadership, and the indelible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our institutional life, it is time to reassess our current campus culture and climate. In January 2024, the Campus Climate Study Committee will launch the next culture and climate survey. The Committee developed the survey in partnership with Viewfinder® Campus Climate. Surveys.

The survey is being administered by the Campus Climate Study Committee through the Qualtrics survey platform. All members of the campus community will be invited to share their experiences. After the survey closes in late February,  the committee data team will begin preliminary analysis of the data and develop presentations to share with the campus community. Initial presentations of the survey findings will be delivered in April 2024.

Maintaining confidentiality of the information collected from the survey and protecting the identity of all respondents is a top priority. 

Timeline

November - January 2024
Prepare campus community

January 24 - February 29, 2024
Collect responses from campus community

Winter - Spring 2024
Analyze data 

Summer 2024
Prepare preliminary reports

Fall 2024
Report to the campus community

Fall 2024 into 2025
Initiate strategic action steps and ongoing data analysis for schools/colleges and other units