Campus Climate Survey FAQs
Q: Why is it necessary to conduct a "campus climate survey" at UW-River Falls?
A: The purpose of this survey is to learn more about how people feel on our campus. We really want to understand the experiences of all, and how those who work and study here perceive our campus.
Q: How much time will it take me to complete this survey?
A: Approximately 30-45 minutes.
Q: Why should I spend 30-45 minutes on this survey?
A: We want our campus to be welcoming to everyone and for everyone to feel comfortable. We do not know, at this time, what our climate is like, especially for those who may be in the minority on campus (students and staff of color, those with disabilities, those whose sexual orientation/identity is not in the majority, etc.).
Q: How can I be sure my answers will be confidential?
A: When you log in you will be logging in to servers that are off site, not a part of the UW system. Only the raw data will be accessible to certain designated persons involved with the study. No identifying information associated with your responses will be provided to our campus. In the early spring, a report will be issued and shared with the campus, with a final report to be issued late May or early June next year.
Q: Where can I complete the survey?
A: You may take the assessment from any location on, or off campus with an internet connection. Faculty and Staff are permitted to participate during work hours.
Q: Where can students complete the survey?
A: You may take the assessment from any location on, or off campus with an internet connection. Some students may be given time in class, however, this is at the discretion of each faculty member to decide this.
Q: Will I be given time at work to complete this survey?
A: Yes. All campus staff are permitted to take the survey during work hours. The survey may take between 30 and 45 minutes and must be completed in one sitting.
Q: What do I do if my supervisor will not give me release time?
A: Consult your Human Resources (HR) representative if your supervisor will not allow you to complete the assessment during work time. The HR representative for faculty and academic staff is Tarra Davies-Fox, tarra.davies-fox@uwrf.edu, (715) 425-3926. The HR representative for classified staff (permanent and limited term employees) is Deb Schwab, debra.schwab@uwrf.edu, (715) 425-3221.
Q: If I have special needs in order to take the asseessment, whom should I contact?
A: You should contact Craig Morris, 117 North Hall, (715) 425-3833, or craig.morris@uwrf.edu.
Q: What if I prefer a paper copy of the survey?
A: A paper option is available. Please contact Craig Morris, 117 North Hall, (715) 425-3833, or craig.morris@uwrf.edu to arrange for a paper assessment.
Q: How does this differ from the Quality of Work Life Survey (QWL)?
A: This assessment identifies the climate at UWRF, which includes the current attitudes, behaviors, and standards of employees and students concerning the access for, inclusion of, and level of respect for individual and group needs, abilities, and potential. The QWL focused solely on employees and their level of job satisfaction and engagement on issues relating to work life quality and job engagement. Information gathered from this assessment will guide our campus in the future in developing recommendations for improving our campus climate as well as assist the campus as we focus on continuing efforts to make the campus inclusive and welcoming for all.
Q: What is being done with the QWL results?
A: The results were shared with the campus community in April 2009. Results were placed on the HR website, and a hard copy version was made available in the library. The survey identified many assets and strengths. Areas where needed improvement was identified include health benefits, pay, salary compression, accountability of faculty and staff, total rewards, and the number of staff in work areas in relationship to meeting performance goals.
The Committee reviewing the results recommended that a study be done of the annual performance review processes to provide guidelines and more feedback. Other recommendations include forming focus groups to review and discuss information in the report on key areas such as insurance, accountability, and feedback; working with governance on specific concerns; and revisiting the survey every few years to study the effect of campus changes. In addition, the Executive Cabinet is currently reviewing the survey results. There are new members on the Cabinet who were not present during the roll out of the QWL or the initial presentation of the results in April.
To date, the campus is studying the annual review process for academic staff and providing feedback to Employee Trust Funds in an effort to improve health insurance options. The Administrative Review initiative, currently in progress, will take into consideration issues identified in the QWL. The Campus Climate Survey, which includes faculty, staff, and students, will provide a more in depth look at the climate on campus in which we live, work, and study.
Q: Are there any questions that would easily identify the area that I work in, especially since I work in such a small unit?
A: The report will not offer any group data for groups of fewer than 10 individuals that may be small enough to compromise confidentiality. Instead, the report will combine the groups to eliminate any potential for demographic information to be identifiable.
Q: What will the campus do in response to this survey?
A: It is expected that once the final report is issued, a process for campus dissemination and review will be in place. Action planning and response to issues indicating a need for attention for improvement could occur during the fall of 2010.
Q: How do I know my IP address cannot be traced?
A: Your IP address will be stripped when the survey is submitted to the Rankin & Associates server.
Q: When will the results be shared?
A: A report will reviewed by the UW-River Falls Diversity Leadership Committee in the late spring, with a final report issued during the summer.
Q: When will I know if I won a prize?
A: Once you complete and submit the survey, you will see a "Thank You" page on the screen, which will include a link to register yourself for the random drawing for prizes. This page is completely separate from the survey submission and only needs to be completed if you would like to have the opportunity to win a prize. Prizes will be awarded through random selection at the end of the survey period in December. Winners will be notified directly on or before January 5, 2009. (A list of prizes can be found at the Campus Climate Survey website as of this date at www.uwrf.edu/campus-climate.)
Q: I do not have access to a computer at my job/I do not want to take the survey in an area where my supervisor can observe me. What are my options?
A: You may take the assessment from any location on, or off campus with an internet connection. You may also take a paper options available by contacting Craig Morris, 117 North Hall, (715) 425-3833, or craig.morris@uwrf.edu.
Q: Who is the Campus Diversity Officer and where is the office located?
A: Craig Morris, 117 North Hall, (715) 425-3833, or craig.morris@uwrf.edu.
