Key findings of the university’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campus Climate Survey will be discussed at a webinar on Monday, April 8, with Enobong (Anna) Branch, senior vice president for equity at Rutgers.

The DEI survey, offered last spring to nearly 77,000 eligible faculty, staff and students, received 12,725 responses, yielding a 16.5 % response rate. The results – answers to questions gauging Rutgers community members’ perspectives, opinions and experiences related to diversity, equity and inclusion across the university – will establish a baseline understanding of the climate at Rutgers. The findings also will help leaders and administrators make decisions to support an inclusive and vibrant campus community.

The webinar will start with an overview of why an assessment of DEI campus climate and experiences is important to do, what it is and how it can be used by university leaders. Branch will discuss connections between the overall campus climate data, progress underway at the university on DEI issues and the next steps to take toward an inclusive community.

“The survey results show a university in progress and reflect the journey we are on,” Branch said. “Overall, respondees said they see the commitment, see the actions taken and see that there is still work to do.”

You can sign up for the April 8 webinar on the registration page.

Following the webinar, survey findings will be available on the University Equity and Inclusion website.

Meanwhile, Branch announced the launch of an online Diversity Plan Progress Inventory that tracks and showcases the progress made across the university to implement the University Diversity Strategic Plan.

“In the first year of the inventory, we received nearly 1,000 action item submissions that reflect both the breadth and depth of activity occurring across the university within chancellor-led and central administrative units,” Branch said.

The inventory portal is open for submissions for the 2023-2024 academic year and will close on July 15.